Hi there! We’re Kaitlin and Kenzie, a couple of gals from New York and Kentucky who were lucky enough to find our way to this part of the map. Grand Rapids is our home, and its community members, artists, small business owners, and self-proclaimed misfits have become our family.

As small business owners ourselves (Check out the About Us page to learn more about… us!), we’ve spent the last two years brainstorming ways to give back to our Grand Rapids family while also uplifting and supporting the marginalized communities, small business owners, and artists in our lives. That’s how UVGR was born.

Did you know there are roughly 20,000 small businesses in our big little city?! From services to wares, food and beverage to the arts—Grand Rapids is a hub of creation, and the small businesses that fuel it are vital to its well-being. So we asked ourselves: How do we bring people together while also supporting our local economy?

We started with what we know—celebrations, organized events, and book-themed balls—as a way to hold space for local vendors, encourage networking, and, of course, have fun while doing it! We’ve been fortunate enough to meet some truly incredible people and fellow nonprofits during our time in Grand Rapids, and our goal now is to build a table where everyone has a seat and can mutually benefit from sharing space.

If you joined us at Starfall Ball in September at the GRAM, thank you! We hope you’ll continue gathering with us. If you want to experience the kinds of celebrations UVGR puts on, we’d love to welcome you to our next event.