On this episode of WYCE’s Community Closeup, host Phil Tower welcomes Erica Soto, artistic director of Compañía de Teatro Hispano de Michigan, a Grand Rapids nonprofit bringing Spanish-language and bilingual theater to West Michigan.

Soto shares why the company was created, how it opens doors for Latino artists, and why seeing your language and culture represented onstage matters.

Our conversation also explores the diversity of Latino storytelling and how theater’s humor, emotion, and shared human experiences can connect audiences across languages.

Soto also discusses nurturing young performers through free bilingual theater classes in partnership with Grandville Avenue Arts & Humanities, along with opportunities to perform, volunteer, and support the company’s work.

Learn more about performances, auditions, classes, and ways to get involved at teatrohispanomi.com. Community Closeup from WYCE Community Radio is produced in partnership with the Grand Rapids Community Media Center.

In this episode of WYCE's Community Closeup, WYCE Station Manager Phil Tower welcomes Guillermo Cisneros, President and CEO of the West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, for a conversation about advancing Hispanic-owned businesses and developing Latino talent across the region.

Cisneros discusses the opportunities and challenges facing local entrepreneurs, the Chamber’s hands-on business support, and its work connecting Hispanic college students and young professionals with West Michigan employers.

The conversation also explores the vision for the Chamber’s new Hub for Latino Economic Advancement and Talent Development on Godfrey Avenue in Grand Rapids’ Roosevelt Park neighborhood.

Learn more about the Chamber’s business resources, programs, and upcoming events at westmihcc.org.

WYCE’s Community Closeup is produced in partnership with the Grand Rapids Community Media Center.

On this episode of WYCE’s Community Close-Up, host Phil Tower welcomes Jocelyn Coria, a former Healthy Housing Specialist with the Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan and a committee member for its upcoming Trunk or Treat for Lead Defeat event.

We discuss the organization’s work to protect children from harmful housing conditions, including lead hazards and asthma triggers, and how home assessments, education, and community partnerships help families create healthier places to live.

Jocelyn also previews the eighth annual Trunk or Treat for Lead Defeat, happening October 29 from 4:30–6:30 p.m. Presented in collaboration with Gerald R. Ford Job Corps, the event combines lead-hazard education with Halloween fun, including a student-built maze, a DJ, apple cider and donuts, and raffle prizes.

Find updates on the Facebook event page. WYCE's Community Close-Up is produced in partnership with the Grand Rapids Community Media Center.