President’s Message

Thank you for visiting the Italian-American Club of West Michigan website. Our club exists to promote Italian culture and heritage in West Michigan and beyond.  We are open to anyone who loves and appreciates all things Italian, regardless of ethnicity.

I’ve been proud of my Italian ancestry for as long as I can remember.  Even though I’ve lived in Grand Rapids my entire life, I am too young to have witnessed the city’s former “Little Italy” firsthand.  As a child, I would beg my father to drive down Division Avenue whenever we went downtown just so I could see the abandoned Russo building.  Every time we passed it, it triggered memories for my father—stories ranging from visiting his grandmother’s house on Franklin Street to the distinct sights and smells of walking into Russo’s.

Italians are a proud people with a rich heritage.  It is our passion as Italian-Americans to preserve that legacy through everything from cultural events to the way we cook.

I encourage you to join us in celebrating the Italian-American way of life.  Together we can share our stories, foster growth within our club and pass our traditions on to future generations through community involvement and social events.