Alliance of Cultural and Ethnic Harmony

Ann Weller Receives Social Justice Award
A Lifetime Achievement

T he Holland Human Relations Commission presented Ann Weller with the Lifetime Achievement Social Justice Award during a presentation held at City Hall on Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023.

The annual award ceremony recognizes local individuals and organizations who represent the virtues of social justice by offering equal opportunity and equal access for the residents of Holland.

In acceptance of the award, Ann had this to say:
“Throughout my life, before I moved here and since I moved here, if there are issues of peace and justice, if there are issues of gender equality, if there are issues of who can belong and who can’t belong, I will never be a bystander," she said.

Click here to view the Holland Sentinel Article

ACEH Juneteenth Scholarship Winner
Heads to School to Study Fashion Design

Congratulations to Ajiana Wilson, winner of the 2022 Fronse and Germaine Pellebon-Smith Kujichagulia (Self Determination) scholarship, funded by ACEH and awarded during the Juneteenth Freedom Festival June 19! Ajiana is a graduate of Holland High School and plans to attend Central Michigan University to study fashion design.

She has made a great start in that direction as one of the two executive stylists at Mode Fille Noire’s two fashion shows, its premier presentations, in Holland on June 22. The events highlighted the Black experience and the celebration of Juneteenth.

“Working on a fashion show really tested my skills and increased my love for fashion; I can’t wait to continue my journey,” Ajiana says.

Ajiana has experienced many challenges in her life and has faced them with courage, determination, and resilience. She is currently working 12 hours a day, three days a week, to save for college. Again, congratulations, and ACEH is happy we could provide funds to help you on your journey.

This year, ACEH will fund five scholarships of $1,000 each—doubling the amount of each award from previous years. Sponsors and auction bidders at our February 2022 Heart 2 Heart community gathering and donors like YOU—our members and friends—made this possible. Thank you! Our scholarship program was established in 2013. Please help keep it going by clicking on the DONATE button.

Holland PRIDE 2022

Centennial Park was bursting at the seams June 25, with the largest PRIDE Festival ever in Holland.

ACEH had a popular booth with giveaways,
tattoos, newsletter sign-ups, and info.

Volunteers were Al Minert, Laura Quigley-Hobbs (shown here), Erica Quinoñes, Kim Ludwig, Dawn Brott,
and Ann & Herb Weller.

Racial Disparities in Health Care Series

We had really informative discussions with our partners about vaccine skepticism.
Here is the YouTube link to our launch of this series held in conjunction with MLK Day.
Here is the YouTube link to our February 21 discussion focused on the Black community.
Here is the link to our April 11 discussion focused on the Hispanic/Lantinx community.
Here is the link to the video with Spanish subtitles.
Please share these videos and let's get our community vaccinated!

A big thank you, again, to the several panelists and partners who helped the ACEH put together this vital series.

Affordable Housing in Holland
The ACEH supports expanding our housing stock

The Board of the ACEH continues to support the addition of housing stock to our city and neighboring communities -- particularly affordable housing. We support the work of Housing Next and its vision of adding Smart Density to our neighborhoods. We support collaboration and creativity as we move forward and our community grows.

Please follow Housing Next on social media or sign up to receive its newsletter. Executive Director Ryan Kilpatrick does a great job explaining the need and demonstrating how Smart Density can be done in our neighborhoods without taking away from the aesthetics we love and appreciate. Read the latest from Mr. Kilpatrick and Housing Next HERE.

Microaggressions in the community

The ACEH sincerely encourages you to consider having Alan Headbloom into your church, your business, your club or any other organization you belong to. Everyone could benefit from this discussion. Learn more about Alan and his history and how he helps people address their biases here.

About Us

Founded in January 1999, the Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony, ACEH, is a non-profit, non-partisan, grass-roots group of ethnically diverse people from Holland and nearby areas. ACEH is a friendly organization that welcomes all people and works to create the feeling that our communities belong to everyone. ACEH is not affiliated with any political or religious groups, and is supported by membership dues, donations and grants.

What does ACEH do?

Holds monthly public meetings to talk about local and national justice and diversity issues, listen to speakers from different ethnic groups, and take part in "walk in my shoes" cross-cultural exercises.
Provides a safe and respectful place to share experiences of prejudice and racism and to work on solutions.
Works with ethnic and civic groups on projects to foster an inclusive community, including the Lakeshore Area Summit on Racism.
Offers resources of ideas, speakers, materials and diversity training to schools, businesses, clubs, and religious organizations.
Supports public efforts to oppose discrimination, racism, and violence.
Publishes a monthly newsletter sent via email or regular mail; also sends e-mail bulletins about events and issues in West Michigan.
Holds annual potluck with ethnic foods and family games, sponsors other social events.
Encourages patronage of ethnic businesses and events.

Resources for Discussing and Disrupting Racism

The Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony is a 501(c)3 nonprofit. Donations to ACEH are tax deductible as allowed by law.

"We need diversity of thought in the world to face the new challenges." - Tim Berners-Lee

Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony

Ann Weller Receives Social Justice AwardA Lifetime Achievement

ACEH Juneteenth Scholarship WinnerHeads to School to Study Fashion Design