Marshall Kilgore

08/08/2026

“The plain fact is that the planet does not need more successful people. But it does desperately need more peacemakers, healers, restorers, storytellers, and lovers of every kind. It needs people who live well in their places. It needs people of moral courage willing to join the fight to make the world habitable and humane. And these qualities have little to do with success as we have defined it.”

— David Orr

08/05/2026

What a beautiful morning at the Kent County Democratic Party Unity Breakfast!

The primaries are behind us, and now it’s time to come together. As Democrats, we move forward united by our shared values of opportunity, fairness, compassion, protecting our democracy, strong public schools, and building a future where everyone has the chance to thrive.

Congratulations to everyone advancing to November, and thank you to every candidate who put their name on the ballot. Running for office takes courage, and every campaign helped lift new voices and important conversations in our community.

I was so grateful to help make this breakfast happen alongside Wesley from the Michigan League of Conservation Voters MLCV, Nicko from the Michigan One Campaign, Kent County Democratic Chair Kim, and my incredible co-chef, Jerri McCarthy. We served hundreds of pancakes, sausages, fresh berries, and yogurt, but more importantly, we built community.

Flipping pancakes even took me back to my first job at IHOP, where I learned the importance of serving every person with kindness and respect.

Today was a reminder that we’re stronger together. Now, let’s get to work and win in November! 💜🥞😁

08/04/2026

Spent some time at National Night Out at Fuller Ave Church. I was so excited to see my neighborhood association there—King Park Neighbors!

It was great seeing neighbors, connecting with first responders, and enjoying burgers and hot dogs together.

A stronger community can start with something as simple as saying hello, sharing a meal, and getting to know the people who call the same neighborhood home. Those small moments help build trust and make our community even stronger.

If you haven’t voted yet, there’s still about an hour left before the polls close. I hope you’ll make your voice heard!

Hope you and your loved ones have a wonderful evening! 💜

08/04/2026

Good morning, y’all! Today is Election Day! 🗳️💜

I was excited to cast my ballot this morning and was voter number 8 in my precinct!

Every election matters, and every vote helps shape our communities. I hope you’ll take a few minutes today to make your voice heard.

Polls are open until 8:00 p.m. If you’re in line by 8:00 p.m., you have the right to vote.

Check your polling place, see what’s on your ballot, and find everything you need at Michigan.gov/Vote.

Happy voting, everyone! Let’s make our voices heard! Now let me get back to my morning workout. 🙌🏾😁

08/01/2026

Join me for breakfast!🥞😊

As primary season comes to a close, it’s time to come together as one team with one mission: winning in November.

I’ll be at the Kent County Democratic Party Unity Breakfast flipping flapjacks alongside Democrats from across Kent County. Whether you’re a volunteer, campaign staffer, candidate, or simply ready to help build momentum for the general election, I’d love to see you there.

📅 Wednesday, August 5
🕙 10:00 a.m.
📍 Kent County Democratic Party Headquarters

Let’s show that when we work together, we can accomplish great things for our communities. I hope you’ll join us!

Please RSVP through the event page, and I’ll see you Wednesday! 💙

Link: http://mobilize.us/michiganlcv/event/998262/

07/30/2026

It was great to join the Groundswell Stewardship Initiative Summer Institute this afternoon alongside my city commission colleagues, Lisa Knight, Milinda Ysasi, State Representative Carol Glanville, Julie Batty, and Annie McMahon Whitlock for a thoughtful conversation with educators about civic engagement and environmental stewardship.

Before serving as your 3rd Ward commissioner, I had the privilege of working at the West Michigan Environmental Action Council, where I partnered with Groundswell. It was meaningful to reconnect with this incredible organization in my role as commissioner.

One question asked how we inspire the next generation to create change. I shared that throughout history, lasting progress has happened because a critical mass of people organized, spoke up, and worked together. The same is true for climate action. I encouraged educators to help students use the tools they already use every day, like social media and email, to connect with their elected officials and become part of that positive change.

As the youngest person ever elected to the Grand Rapids City Commission, it was especially meaningful to discuss how Gen Z and the generations behind us can help lead the way in protecting our people, our planet, and our future.

Thank you to the Groundswell team and every educator in the room for your commitment to preparing the next generation of engaged citizens and changemakers.

07/30/2026

My first-ever Substack is live!

I wrote about something that’s been weighing heavily on me: the state of political discourse in Michigan’s U.S. Senate race.

As a Black elected official, I share why I believe we’ve lost sight of what matters most, why double standards deserve more attention, and why we need to return to conversations rooted in facts, respect, and policy instead of personal attacks.

Whether you agree with me or not, I hope you’ll give it a read with an open mind.

Check out my first Substack post and let me know your thoughts in the comments. I’d genuinely love to hear your perspective and have a respectful conversation.

A reflection on Michigan’s U.S Senate Race by Commissioner Marshall A. Kilgore

07/28/2026

We’re still outside on the lawn!

Come check out the nonpartisan voter information event hosted by Good Neighbors of Alger Heights + Garfield Park! Grab some free cookies and drinks, connect with neighbors, and get everything you need to be ready for the August 4 election.

Not sure where you vote or what’s on your ballot? Visit Michigan.gov/Vote to check your registration, polling location, and preview your ballot.

Knowledge is power, and voting is one of the best ways to shape the future of our community. As your commissioner, I’ll always encourage civic engagement and helping neighbors make their voices heard.

It has been so nice to connect with the neighbors I serve. Come say hi! We’ll be here on the lawn for a little while longer. 🇺🇸🗳️💜

07/27/2026

It was such a joy to visit Restoring Faith Ministries. Thank you to Pastor Scotty Pearson and Lady P for the warm welcome and for making it such a beautiful morning of worship and fellowship. Congratulations to both of you on celebrating 26 years of marriage. What a wonderful testimony of love, commitment, and faith.

Pastor Pearson preached a powerful message about dreams. He reminded us that God’s dreams for our lives are often far bigger than anything we could imagine for ourselves. He also spoke about not allowing ourselves to become bitter or jaded while we are walking the path toward those dreams. That message stayed with me long after the service ended.

I could not help but think about how true that is for our communities and for our country. We are living through a time when division often seems louder than unity, when anger spreads faster than kindness, and when it can feel easier to lose hope than to hold onto it. But if we truly believe in building a more perfect nation, then we cannot give up on one another. We have to keep choosing compassion over cynicism, service over selfishness, and hope over despair.

One of my favorite scriptures is Matthew 17:20:

“If you have faith as small as a mustard seed… nothing will be impossible for you.”

I think about that verse often as I work alongside my neighbors and constituents. Some of the challenges we face can seem overwhelming, but I have learned that real change often starts with one conversation, one act of kindness, one courageous decision, and just a little bit of faith.

On a personal note, it felt so good to experience good old fashioned church again, just like I did growing up. One of the most emotional moments of the morning was seeing Ms. Tina, my Sunday school teacher from Davis Memorial Church. She has believed in me since I was just a little boy, and seeing her brought back so many wonderful memories. It reminded me how important it is to have people who encourage us, pray for us, and remind us of who we can become.

Church has always been one place where people build community, lift one another up, and keep hope alive. If church is not your path, I truly hope you have another space where you are encouraged, supported, and reminded that your dreams matter.

As your commissioner, I will keep working every day to help build a city where everyone has the opportunity to pursue their dreams, where every child knows they belong, and where every family has the chance to thrive.

Thank you again, Restoring Faith Ministries, for filling my heart this morning. I left encouraged, inspired, and ready to keep the faith. 💜

07/25/2026

Happy 50th Anniversary, Yesterdog!🌭🎉

Some of my favorite childhood memories start on Sherman Street in the 3rd Ward. My dad would drop us off at my Big Momma’s house, where we’d do puzzles, watch her sew, and patiently sit through soap operas. But we always knew the best part of the day was coming.

Dad would come back with a big ole bag of cheddar dogs from Yesterdog.

For generations, Yesterdog has been part of my family’s story, just as it has been for so many families across Grand Rapids. It’s more than a restaurant. It’s a local tradition that brings people together.

Congratulations to the new owners, Pat and Lisa, for carrying on this incredible legacy with the same family-oriented spirit our community has loved for 50 years. Here’s to 50 more!

As your commissioner, I’ll continue fighting for our local and small businesses because they’re the heart of our neighborhoods, strengthen our local economy, and help make Grand Rapids the special place we call home.

Now, if you’ll excuse me… I’m still stuffed from those delicious cheddar dogs!