You Can Love a City Into Greatness
In this deeply reflective and insightful episode, Bryce Butler sits down with Dr. Justin Beene, a systems thinker and community leader rooted in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Raised between two starkly different worlds – an under-resourced urban neighborhood and private Christian education – Justin shares how this duality informed his lifelong passion for community, faith, economics, and justice.
From working in social work and seminary to launching innovative place-based economic development models, Justin walks us through his evolution as a leader and his belief in the transformative power of relationships, belonging, and love for one’s city. Learn how the Grand Rapids Center for Community Transformation is reframing traditional systems and co-creating equitable opportunities in housing, business, and leadership development.
Key Topics Covered:
Living in Two Worlds
Local Love as a Catalyst for Change
Innovating Within Broken Systems
The 4C Framework for Entrepreneurs
Shared Prosperity Through Innovative Capital Stacks
Leadership Through Relationship
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