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Loving in
Grand Rapids:

A June Wedding in Grand Rapids; Celebrating the Humanity of Love

Part 2 of the 14th Amendment Series: Living, Learning, and Loving in Grand Rapids 

June 15, 2024​ @ Fountain Street Church

The Grand Rapids Public Museum celebrated Loving Day for the second year in a row in collaboration with Ebony Road Players and Grand Rapids Children’s Museum. Loving Day celebrates the landmark Supreme Court decision in Loving vs. Virginia (1967), which struck down all state laws against interracial marriage in the US.

A panel of prominent Grand Rapids families in relationships legally affirmed by Loving vs. Virginia (1967) shared their stories with the audience. Exploring challenges, acceptance, love, community, and how their unions have made Grand Rapids the city it is today.  Panelists included Juan and Mary Olivarez, Ruth and Carl Kelly, Edye Evans Hyde and Mike Hyde, and Arick Davis and Sarah Laman-Davis. Margie Derks Peterson, Chaplain at Fountain Street Church facilitated the conversation. 

Panelists pose together in Fountain Street Church's chapel
Panels on display in the Fountain Street Church lobby about Gr Stories and Loving Day.
A couple speaks into a microphone the chapel at Fountain Street church.
Two couples sitting together in front of a crowd int eh chapel at fountain street church.
Couples laugh and smile as they speak to an audience at Fountain Street Church in the chapel.

Photos by Isabel Media Studios

Display Panels

Text reads: Loving Day. June 12. Loving Day is an annual celebration held on the anniversary of the 1967 United States Supreme Court decision Loving v. Virginia, which struck down interracial marriage laws. In the unanimous court decision, Chief Justice Earl Warren wrote in the court majority opinion that "The freedom to marry or not mary a person of another race resides with the individual, and cannot be infringed by the State." The "Loving" in Loving Day is actually the last name of Mildred and Richard Loving. The Loving Day Story begins when they were arrested for being married in 1958 because they were an interracial couple living in Virginia. Their lawyers argued that laws against interracial marriage came from slavery laws, intended to oppress Black people, and based on white supremacy. Other states had similar laws. Some of these laws applied to people of other races as well. Nine years after their arrest, the Lovings won their case on June 12, 1967 (which is why Loving Day is on June 12). It was more than a victory for their family. It struck down all state laws against interracial marriage in the US. The Lovings' memorable story (and fitting name) are part of a larger and continuing struggle for racial justice. Courtroom history led up to their case. Attitudes and demographics shape our society. Explore more resources beyond those we provide.
Text reads. "Tell the court I love my wife." Married and Arrested. Mildred Delores Jeter and Richard Perry Loving grew up in Virginia. They fell in love and wanted to get married in 1958. But for interracial couples like the Lovings, marriage was against the law in their home state ( and many other places.) So they drove to Washington DC to be legally married and then returned to Virginia. But the Lovings didn't realize they had just broken another law. It was also illegal to leave the state to get married and then return to Virginia. A few weeks later, the police entered their home at night while they were asleep in bed. The Lovings were arrested and taken to jail. Prison and Banishment. Their marriage was a crime punishable by one to five years in prison. They were sentenced to one year in prison, but the judge said they could avoid prison if they left Virginia and did not return for 25 years. They agreed and moved to Washington DC. The Lovings had difficulties in Washington. They were far from their families and the rural life that they knew. Then their young son Donald was hit by a car, luckily escaping with only minor injuries. They didn't have a lot of money or options. In 1963 as the country was talking about a civil rights bill and a March on Washington, Mildred decided to take action. To the right are images of Mildred and Ricahrd Loving, a copy of their marriage license, and a protester with a sign that reads Inter-racial marriage club of washington DC naturally wants freedom now. A child holds a sign about her "desegregated home" A caption below reads Their marriage was a crime punishable by one to five years in prison.
Text reads: A letter and a Decision. She hand wrote a letter to US Attorney General Robert 'Bobby" Kennedy to ask for help. HIs office suggested contacting the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). Then the ACLU referred the Lovings to a young lawyer named Bernard S. Cohen. At first, he worked alone on getting the trial judge to rehear the case. A year later, a chance meeting led to connecting with another young lawyer named Philip H. Hirschkop. Together, they would appeal the Lovings' case for years and for free. The Loving's case went to the Supreme Court- the highest court in the US. Their lawyers argued that the Lovings were denied equal protection under the law. Richarrd Loving asked their lawyers to "tell the court I love my wife." In a unanimous decision, the court struck down centuries of racist laws against interracial marriage and relationships. Finally, almost nine years after they were arrested, the Lovings won the right to live together as a family in the place they called home. History and Future. The Loving v. Virginia decisionw as June 12, 1967, and that's why Loving Day is on June 12. The Loving Decision should be remembered as an important moment for civil rights. But it's also part of a much longer and broader history of standing up to the structural inequities and racist attitudes that we must continue to dismantle today. More info can be found online at LovingDay.org Images include a letter to the Attorney general, a news clipping from the Grand Rapids Press about the case and maps of where Interracial couples were Illegal in the United states from 1662 to 1967.
Text reads: Ebony Road Players and the Grand Rapids Public Museum present GR stories. The 14th amendment, Loving in GR, A June wedding in Grand Rapids Celebrating the Humanity of Love. The Grand Rapids Public Musuem proudly presents Loving, the second program in a three part GR Stories series, the 14th amendment: learning, loving, and living in Grand Rapids. This series, developed in partnership with community collaborators will explore the significant influence of three pivotal Supreme Court decisions on our nation and here in Grand Rapids. Loving explores the real life impacts of the US constitution's 14th amendment and Loving v Virginia in our local community. The Constitution is a living document best understood through its application in daily life. Loving in Grand Rapids. Like most states, Michigan prohibited interracial marriage throughout much of the 19th century, with anti miscegenation laws on the books from 1838-1883. Although Michigan was one of the first states to repeal these laws, 16 states continued to enforce laws against interracial marriage until 1967. In Loving v Virginia, the Supremem Court struck down these laws as unconstitutional because they violated the right to equal protection under the law guaranteed by the 14th amendment. Only 6 months later in December of 1967, the popular film "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" starring Sidney Poitier, Katharine Houghton, Spencer Tracy and Katheraine Hepburn was shown at Studio 28 and introduced Grand Rapidians to some of the many challenges facing interracial families. In 1991, nearly 25 years after Loving v Virginia made interracial marriage legal throughout the US, Charles Honey write in the Grand Rapids Press of the challenges that the few bi-racial couples experienced while creating their homes in West Michigan. One of those couples: Mike and Edye Evans-Hyde is featured in this GR story. At the same time in 1991, another film "Jungle Fever" posed questions about the cultural difficulties of love across racial lines. Clearly, even here in GR where marriages have been legal for well over a century, navigating race and love was still challenging. Today, as the map illustrates, 16% of newlyweds marrried across ethnic and racial lines and are commonly accepted in our community. Yet as Mayor Bliss urged,we should all join in sharing the legacy and lessons and love. Images include a proclamation declaring Loving Day in GR, a flyer for Guess who's coming to dinner at Studio 28, an ad for Jungle Fever, and a map of interracial marriages in the US.
Text reads: Loving Families in Grand Rapids. Arick Davis and Sarah Laman-Davis. Boston Square in the South East side of Grand Rapids has not historically been known as a thriving craft coffee setting like other hip neighborhoods in GR. However, in 2022 Arick Davis and Sarah Laman-Davis created a brick and mortar space that not only serves tremendous fresh roasted coffee drinks, but they have also created a neighborhood space that has become a community crossroads: The Last Mile Cafe. Both Arick and Sarah were raised in West Michigan. Arick in the Boston Square neighborhood that is the new home of Last Mile Cafe. He attending Grand Rapids Public Schools and graduated from Creston High School in 2008. Arick was also active in the West Michigan Center for Arts and Technology as a High School student and attended True Light Baptist Church while growing up. He then went on to Michigan Tech where he graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Electrical Engineering. He spent several years working as an electrical engineer in corporate America but through these experience he became dissatisfied with the way capitalism works. He was also developing a taste for good coffee and his curiosity led him to search for an understanding of how to create great coffee. Sarah Laman grew up in Holland and graduated from West Ottawa High School in 2007. After high school, she attended Grand Valley State University, where she completed a bachelor's degree in 2011, studying Photography. She is currently finishing a Master's at GVSU in Public Administration, with a focus in advocacy, policy, and evaluation. Other than her career as a co-owner of Last Mile Cafe, she spent a decade in non-profit work within the early childhood environmental sustainability and public health sectors. She recently took the position of Director of Marketing and Communications for MIchigan Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). Arick and Sarah represented a new generation of entrepreneurs that combine their interest in justice, community, and running businesses. Last Mile Cafe is clearly committed to community and specifically the community of Arick's youth. They also are determined to run their business in a manner that puts the planet and people as a priority in their business model. The coffe and other raw products come from places that care about their workers and the planet. A portion of their profits go to community organizations to respond to community needs. And they have created a place where many meet to create greater community good. Like their business model which reflects a new generation of community engaged entrepreneurs. Their partnership and marriage also reflects a different era of navigating race and love. They met on Tinder in 2016, each bringing children into the relationship ( now 14 and 9 years old) and married in their backyard of their home. Clearly the taboos of the era of "Guess who's coming to dinner" are long past. However, the Grand Rapids community still reflects the larger society in many folks do not have close friends across racial boundaries. Myths and stereotypes still remain and Arick and Sarah have great stories of their encounters Across worlds. Ruth and Carl Kelly: Carl and Ruth Kelly first crossed paths in 1980 while serving as community organizers. Ruth at Eastown Community Association and Carl at Southeast end Neighborhood association. As community organizeres, they collaborated to bolsterthe influence of neighborhood associations during a time when groups wielded significant sway across the city's policies and actions. Together, they emerged as a formidable duo, leaving an indelible mark on the city. Carl Kelly was born on a cotton plantation in Rolling Fork, Mississippi in 1943. and moved to Michigan with his parents in 1950 as part of the Black migration to escape the Jim Crow South. Gradutating from DePaul University, he embarked on a career as an educator and coach spanning Chicago, Indiana, and finally Grand Rapids, where he taught at the Grand Rapids Jobs Corps Center. Subsequently, Carl assumed the role of Business Diversity Manager at Herman Miller, elevating purchasing from women and minority-owned businesses from 1% to 15%. He also spearheaded community initiatives like GR Box for the Police Athletic Association and partnered with corporations such as Steelcase to establish the West Michigan Center for Arts and Technology. Ruth is a native of GR and has devoted her life to serving this community. Her educational journey encompassed degrees from GRCC, Aquinas, and Grand Valley. After graduating from Aquinas, she embarked on a two decade tenure as a Montessori teacher for Grand Rapids Public Schools. However, her years of community activism in Eastown and the Baxter neighborhoods symbolize her reputation as "citizen Ruth" a nickname given to her by her husband. Community empowerment and civil rights advocacy were lifelong pursuits for Ruth, instilled in her by her parents who taught her the importance of advocating for justice from a young age (she first ran for office in the 9th grade). Over the decades she has provided support, advocacy, and mentorship to numerous city leaders. Her service extended to the Grand Rapids City Commission where she was appointed in 2010 and subsequently elected serving until 2019. Together, Ruth and Carl have nurtured children and grandchildren within the community,e arning the moniker "Ruth and Carl" throughout the city. Their family tree embraces the diversity of the city with members of multiple heritages amonst the broader Black, White, Latino, Asian communities. Their partnership has enriched our city with justice, vibrancy and compassion.
Text reads: Juan and Mary Olivarez: Mary and Juan's lovestory began in 1968 when they first crossed paths at Aquinas College, Juan a sophomore and Mary a freshman. The couple married in 1971 at St Stephen's Catholic Church while still students at Aquinas, celebrating their union at Wege Center on campus. Both would embark on careers as educators within the Grand Rapids Public School System, creating new opportunities for students within the community. While their professional achievements are notable, their true legacy lies in the warmth with which they embraced the broader community as part of their extended familiar. Mary's family history traces back to Ukraine where they were displaced during Hitler's forced labor movement. Unable to return home after the war, they resettled in the US, sponsored by a family in Palatine, Illinois, where they worked as domestic help. Mary celebrates a distinguised career in GRPS as well as earning two master's degrees from MSU and GVSU while raising two children. She dedicated 25 years to special education, primarily at the Lincoln Developmental Center. Juan, born in South Texas, comes from a family of laborers who intially picked cotten before relocating to Gary, Indiana where they found work in the Steel mills. As the steel industry waned, they travelled to Michigan for cherry-picking and to Illinois for tomato harvesting. Juan began his career at GRPS teaching in the city's first federally funded bilingual program before pursuing a Master's degree and School Psychologist certification at Wayne State. He rose to become director of Special Education, later serving as Executive Director of Research and Development after completing his PHD. After 2 decades at GRPS, Juan assumed ther role of Dean at Grand Rapids Community College, eventually becoming its president, marking a historic milestone as the first Hispanic president of any college or university in Michigan. Subsequently, he led the Kalamazoo Community Foundation for 6 years before returning to his alma mater, Aquinas as President. Together, Mary and Juan raised 2 sons and now enjoy the company of 2 grandchildren. Their heartfelt dedication to their community has left an enduring impact on Grand Rapids. Their personal story also includes transcending significant cultural challenges with family and community. But they have made our home in GR a more wonderful place. Edye Evans Hyde and Mike Hyde. Edye Evans Hyde and Mike Hyde have a lovestory that fits the era of the 1970s. In 1975 Edye began taking classes as a vocal major at GR Junior College (becoming Grand Rapids Community College years later) and was in the Choir. During this time, Mike was performing regularly with a band in local night clubs around west Michigan when his lead singer fell ill one night. Edye was contacted to fill in, met mike for the first time, and the rest is history. The two began a decades long collaboration in music and family. They married in June 1979 once Edye had graduated from Aquinas College with her degree in music education. Edge went on to decades of work in the field of education. Her first job after graduation was at Godfrey Lee Public and then East Kentwood High School as a vocal music teacher. She eventually moved into college administration working as an admissions rep for Davenport College and the assistant director of admissions at GRCC (overlapping Juan Olivarez' time at GRCC). During all this, she continued to maintain a singing career which included performances in Michigan, California, China, and Italy. In addition to performing with local commercial bands, jazz groups, big bands, and orchestras, Mike also worked in music education of the years. Like Edye, he is a graduate of Aquinas earning a bachelor's in Music Education. He taught k-6 general music for the Catholic and Charter school systems while also teaching classical and jazz guitar for GRCC, Aquinas and Hope. Throughout Miek also maintained a thriving private guitar studio where he taught all styles and aspects of guitar playing. In the 1980s, Edye found her place in the theater world. She auditioned for the Robeson players and performed in her very first theatrical production Aint Misbehavin. Cedric Ward, a co-founder of the local annual Giants awards and Symphony of the Soul had created Robeson Players to create a venue for African American artists to tell African American Stories. Edye thrived in this setting and became committed to theater by working with Robeson Players, Grand Rapids Civic, Grand Rapids Circle Theatre, and Actors Theater to name a few. In 2014, Edge created Ebony Road Players to revive Black theatre in Grand Rapids. The theater has staged signficant performances of For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide when the Rainbow is Not Enuf, The Meeting, and Detroit '67 among others. Ebony Road Players also hosts workshops, camps, and plays by and for children in teh community. Edye and Ebony Road Players have also created an annual community event called West Michigan Loving Day Celebration, inspired by her and MIke's attendance at the Mixed Roots Festival in Los Angeles. "This festival was the first time we had ever heard of Mildred and Richard Loving. We thought everyone should know about this couple and what this court case means in regard to the Civil Rights Movement." This court case was also used for the Obergefell v Hodges Supreme Court case legalizing same-sex marriage 48 years later. Both Edge and Mike are semi-retired music educators but "edye and Mike" jazz duo performs throughout the region in nightclubs and for special occasions. The musical partnership of Edye and Mike as well as their commmitment to community and education have helped create the City of Grand Rapids we know today.

Partners for this GR Stories event:

Fountain Street Church Logo
Gerald R Ford Museum Logo
Grand Rapids African American Museum and Archives logo
Grand Rapids Children's Museum logo
Kent District Library Logo

U.S. Service Members and Families Free This Weekend!

This weekend, the GRPM extends free admission to all U.S. service members—active or retired—and their families.
 
See our new Veterans display, in partnership with the Michigan Heroes Museum, honoring West Michiganders who served the United States during World War II.
 

This offer includes those serving in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, National Guard, Reserves, U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, and NOAA Commissioned Corps, along with up to five family members.

Ask our front desk upon arrival to redeem.

Early Closure Notice

The GRPM will be closing early at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, May 14th, for Cabinet of Curiosities: Grand Slam!

This elevated spring fundraiser explores America’s favorite pastime through Grand Rapids history and celebrates the GRPM’s new exhibit, Play Ball! The World’s Largest Collection of Detroit Tigers Autographed Baseballs.

Get Tickets

Planetarium Closure Notice

The Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium is closed June 8 through June 15 for the most significant systems upgrade made to our Planetarium in 10 years!

Come back after June 15 to see crisper, cleaner, and more vibrant visuals, and a system capable of showcasing parts of the universe we weren’t able to display before!

Upcoming
Planetarium Closure Notice

The Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium will be closed June 8 through June 15 for the most significant systems upgrade made to our Planetarium in 10 years!

Come back after June 15 to see crisper, cleaner, and more vibrant visuals, and a system capable of showcasing parts of the universe we weren’t able to display before!

Closure Notice

The GRPM will be closed for Easter on Sunday, April 20. We will reopen on Monday, April 21 for normal hours. 

Extended! Become A GRPM Member, Earn $20 in Museum Promo Cash

Get $20 in Museum Promo Cash with the purchase of any membership now through Friday, December 6!

This promo cash can be used towards admission to the Museum, Planetarium tickets, unique local gifts at the Curiosity Shop, and food and beverages at the Museum Cafe.

Become a Member Today!

Museum Promo Cash expires June 30, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. Any unused balance will be forfeited after this date. This card is for promotional purposes only and is not redeemable for cash or Museum credit.

Become A GRPM Member, Earn $20 in Museum Promo Cash!

Get $20 in Museum Promo Cash with the purchase of any membership now through Tuesday, December 3! 

This promo cash can be used towards admission to the Museum, Planetarium tickets, unique local gifts at the Curiosity Shop, and food and beverages at the Museum Cafe.

Become a Member Today!

Museum Promo Cash expires June 30, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. Any unused balance will be forfeited after this date. This card is for promotional purposes only and is not redeemable for cash or Museum credit.

Closure Notice

The GRPM will be closed on Thursday, September 12, 2024 for an event. We will re-open on Friday, September 13, 2024 at 9 a.m. 

Late Opening Notice.

On Saturday, May 11, the Museum will open at 12 p.m. due to road closures for the Amway River Bank Run.

Early Closure Notice.

The Museum will close at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, May 1 for Museum Adventure After Dark. Tickets are still available!