GRAND RAPIDS – West Michigan Sustainable Business has hired Wesley Watson as its new Engagement Manager.
In this new role, Watson will provide tactical support for the Forum’s growth as a regional and statewide network, its educational programming, and collaborative projects. Among other initiatives, he will be leading our work to engage underrepresented communities in the state’s circular economy investments.
Watson has long been passionate about social justice issues in his community. He was most recently the West Michigan Regional Organizing Director for NextGen America and the Deputy State Field Director of For Our Future, where his grassroots community organizing contributed to the highest voter turnout in Michigan history.
Previously he served the Grand Rapids community through the Grand Rapids Red Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving health, reducing risk, and preventing HIV throughout West Michigan. As part of his work, he collaborated with fellow staff members, community partners, and local law enforcement to decrease the Opioid Epidemic in West Michigan.
He also served as a national advocate for the Black AIDS Institute to fight health disparities and stigma in Black and Brown Communities.
Watson is active in local civics, serving as Precinct Delegate Captain in Ada Precinct 1 since 2016, becoming the youngest and first Black Precinct Delegate in Ada Township history.
