The Owner's Story
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Jamiel Robinson is a serial entrepreneur and the Founder & CEO of Grand Rapids Area Black Businesses (GRABB). GRABB is an Economic Development enterprise that focuses on fostering an economy that supports the revitalization of the Black community and expands opportunities for Black entrepreneurs in the Metro Grand Rapids area by promoting economic empowerment and equity. Jamiel is also the co-owner of Motu Viget Spirits a premium wine and spirits company and part of the team bringing Ambiance GR Kitchen & Lounge to Downtown Grand Rapids. To date Robinson has been recognized as a leading voice in West Michigan on economic equity with feature articles in the Crain’s Detroit, The Guardian, Grand Rapids Business Journal, Grand Rapids Press and Grand Rapids Magazine. Robinson was named by the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce as one of 30 extraordinary leaders over the past 30 years, Grand Rapids Business Journal’s 40 under Forty Business leaders and inaugural class of Grand Rapids 200 Most Powerful Business Leaders in West Michigan.
About the business: Acquiring the building and property means we will be able to assist Black businesses and entrepreneurs with creating wealth and opportunities within our community. The District 2012 is the epicenter of entrepreneurship, innovation, and business for our community. The District 2012 is a safe space for disadvantaged entrepreneurs to launch, scale, build, collaborate, try, fail, and to fly. We are building an institution dedicated to economic mobility, growth, and scale. In the heart of one of Grand Rapids Opportunity Zones, the District 2012 will dedicate more than 4,000 square feet to business incubation, affordable coworking, convening and meeting space, along with a robust offering of educational, mentoring, networking, and capital resources – all dedicated to inspiring ideas, creating jobs, scaling companies, and increasing wealth in the community
Owner's Connection To GR, Thoughts on Liberation, Reclamation
About the Artist
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For artist, Esan Sommersell, making is living. In a world where it’s become increasingly more difficult to discern fact from fiction, Sommersell’s paintings remind us that what we see, hear, touch, and taste cannot be separated from what we feel. With bold forms and surreal color palettes taken from the landscape of lucid dreams, his work is an affirmation of humankind’s innate desire to create, to mold, to touch the raw nerve of experience, and discover for ourselves what it means to be alive. I am a believer, creator, philosopher, a renaissance man. All of these things in which God created me to be yet I am finding the pieces when I create when I remain impeccable with my word and show unconditional love. I want to change the world for the better and find methods to unlock the potential of everyone in hopes of a promising future.
ARTIST'S CONNECTION TO GR, THOUGHTS ON LIBERATION, RECLAMATION
I was born and raised in Grand Rapids. My family moved to Grand Rapids from Guyana, South America.
From: Grand Rapids, Michigan, Guyana, South America. Guyanese
Liberation: To be free, Boundless.
Reclamation: To return. Refined yet original glory. Take back.