Healing Racism Group Looks Back On 10 Years

April 28, 2008
Grand Rapids Business Journal

GRAND RAPIDS — Nearly 10 years ago, Bob Woodrick — the son of Roy Woodrick, who is the “W” of the D&W grocery store chain — was part of a panel that had a question. And in September 1997, the answer to that question, regarding this area’s diversity commitment, led the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce to form the Institute for Healing Racism.

The importance of cultural diversity came “through an awareness from Bob Woodrick,” said Sonya Hughes, vice president of Diversity Initiatives and Programs for the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce. “He brought it to the chamber and started having a conversation about cultural diversity and also the impact race has on individuals and employees and the community.”

The Chamber put together a survey on the topic that revealed employers were looking for help to address the issue of racism. In response, the Chamber created the Institute for Healing Racism, which has since served more than 150 companies and more than 1,600 individuals.

Hughes said that out of those who responded to a later survey, 58 respondents said their organizations had strategies in place to implement what was learned at the Institute for Healing Racism.

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