Tommy Allen

Tommy Allen is the lifestyle editor at the weekly online magazine Rapid Growth Media, an economic-focused weekly that covers the development of the Western Michigan region. In addition to Allen’s nearly four years curating a weekly list of the more interesting place-making events of this region, his weekly G-Sync editorials examine the trends, successes and indicators facing other like-sized rust belt cities as he paints a word-portrait of a region seeking to maximize Michigan’s talent, innovation, diversity and environment.

Allen is an active community member in West Michigan region serving on many boards and committees over the years including the West Michigan Environmental Action Council, Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts, Creston Neighborhood Association, West Michigan Center for Arts and Technologies, the Fulton Street Farmers Market, West Michigan Pride, LaughFest, Habitat for Humanity of Kent County and many other projects.

Allen has received many awards for his writing, art and community work including a national Pollie Award for Healing Our Waters Coalition (Great Lakes State) and the 2012 Community Spirit Award from LINC for his diversity and inclusion work. Politically, Allen has been appointed by the City of Grand Rapids’ Mayor to the Local Officers Compensation Commission, the Blue Ribbon Parks Commission and as the 2nd Ward Representative Green Grand Rapids.

Each week Allen ends his editorial with a phrase The Future Needs All Of Us as a mash-up of a mantra and a rallying call for his community.

Tommy Allen
RapidGSync@gmail.com (This is my public email)
RapidGrowthMedia.com