AMDG Speaker Series featuring Justin Beene

Grand Rapids has been named one of the best places to live, retire, invest, and raise children. We are often named as one of the most philanthropic communities in the country. Yet, despite our many efforts, large portions of our residents have not benefited from the economic vitality of the region. Why is it that our best efforts seem to be failing? Is there hope for a new path forward?

Through this presentation you will gain historical context and learn about some exciting opportunities to join a collaborative in reimagining our city to create a culture where it’s normal for everyone to Thrive and Prosper.

Justin Beene is the visionary and founder of an innovative partnership called the Grand Rapids Center for Community Transformation, a collective between non-profits and for profits working together for a flourishing city. He is well known as a global leader and practitioner with extensive knowledge and skills in starting and scaling collaborative ventures, creating win/win/win solutions across sectors, and connecting resources to real problems in innovative and sustainable ways. Justin is also a serial entrepreneur starting multiple businesses along with leading a movement in Grand Rapids, called Thrive and Prosper, a cross-sector collaboration working to create a culture where it is normal for everyone to Thrive and Prosper.

Justin holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Work and Family Studies from Western Michigan University, a master’s degree in Social Work in Management of Human Services from the University of Michigan, a master's of Arts degree in Ministry Leadership from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary, and a doctorate in Transformational Leadership with a focus in Entrepreneurial Transformation for the Global City from Bakke Graduate University.

Justin was named by the Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council as “Twenty Entrepreneurs to Watch” (2019), he was named Chicago’s, We Raise Foundation’s National Emerging Leader (2017) and was given NAACP-Grand Rapid’s Presidential Award (2020). He was named Belmont University Innovation Lab’s Champion of Hope Award (2024). He is a senior fellow of Street Psalms, a faculty member at Acton University, and a board member of Fifth Third Bank West MI.

Host or Publisher AMDG Architects