The Mayor of Grand Rapids Actually Wants to Hear From You Every Week

If you’ve ever felt like your voice doesn’t matter in city politics, Grand Rapids Mayor David LaGrand is trying to change that one weekly conversation at a time.

I just learned recently that since stepping into office at the end of 2024, Mayor LaGrand has launched something pretty unique called Mayor’s Mondays. It’s a weekly meeting where he shows up at different spots all over the city (coffee shops, churches, libraries, and more) and sits down for small, face-to-face chats with Grand Rapidians.

Have you tried some of the best places to get breakfast in Grand Rapids? ⬇️

He’s not there for big speeches. There are no cameras. And he’s not there just to blow air because he can. It seems like our mayor is just trying to have real conversations about how to make our city better.

In the video he’s posted to city social media explaining the concept, he admits that not everyone at City Hall has all the answers, that’s why he wants to hear from the citizens of Grand Rapids about what they think could fix our city. After all, aren’t we the ones who would know best?

Each week, the focus of the Mayor’s Monday is a little different. One week might be about housing affordability. Another might zero in on youth programs or neighborhood safety. Whatever topic is up for discussion that week, the idea is simple: He’s there to listen to people who actually live here, then use that feedback to shape the long-term future of Grand Rapids. Recently, a really awesome idea about turning garages into tiny homes was floated at one of these meetings, and it may come to life soon!

On the official Mayor’s Mondays website, you can find the upcoming schedule, RSVP to attend, and even pitch ideas for future topics. (How cool!) Mayor LaGrand calls the meetings “small conversations that help shape the city over the span of years.” That may sound like a long game, but it’s refreshing to see a mayor who’s not just talking about transparency and community involvement—but showing up for it. And every big change starts from something small, so this is an awesome idea.

Whether you’re a lifetime resident or someone like me who just moved to GR within the past few years, these weekly meetups are an open invitation to be part of the process. No politics degree needed, just your perspective. It’s rare to see a city leader so hands-on, and honestly, it feels like the kind of leadership a growing city needs right now.