GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Meet Latesha Lipscomb for the first time and it's easy to see why so many people in Grand Rapids’ Heartside neighborhood have rallied behind her.
She is direct, energetic and passionate about the downtown neighborhood. After all, she has lived there since 2011.
"Heartside quality of life, this study has become my baby," Lipscomb said. "This job was perfect for me because I was someone who could relate to people because I live a very similar experience. And so, I have a personal interest in creating a shared story and a singular vision for the Heartside neighborhood and ensuring that it is the best it could possibly be."
Lipscomb was pouring her heart out, of all things, on stage at the Failure Lab when someone from the Grand Rapids caught her story.
She was a small business owner, a mother, a dedicated Grand Rapidian, but she just couldn't seem to land a job. The city was in the works of commissioning a Quality of Life Study for the Heartside neighborhood — they wanted to see how those who lived or worked through the area could be improved. Lipscomb seemed like the person for the job.
"This job for me has been divine alignment," Lipscomb says with a smile.