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GIANT Awards & Banquet

During their tenure at GRCC, Dr. Patricia Pulliam and Mr. Cedric Ward curated the Giant Awards and Banquet.

The Giant Award(link is external) recognizes members of the African American community for their exceptional contributions to shaping the history, culture, and quality of life of the Grand Rapids community. Each award is named after local ‘giants,’ serving as a memorial to their notable service-leadership.

The event is facilitated by the GIANT Awards Committee, a group of community members. GRCC remains steadfast in our support by hosting the event on our campus. 

Preparation for the 40th Celebration is underway. Please direct questions, award nominations, donations, sponsorships, and volunteer support to the GIANT Awards Committee.

Contact: GIANTaward40@gmail.com(link sends email)

Youth Conferences 

African American Male Achievement Conference

March 8, 2023

Facilitated by the Grand Rapids Urban League AAMAC aims to engage students in workshops and activities that affirm their identity and prepare them for the college experience and career opportunities. GRCC remains steadfast in our support by hosting the conference on our campus. 

Please direct questions, donations, sponsorships, and support to the Urban League.

Contact: (616) 245-2207

Latinx Youth Conference

March 7, 2023

At its inception, the Latinx Youth Conference (LYC) was a grassroots project created by members of the Grand Rapids community. The goal was to encourage and motivate West Michigan high school students to think about education and career goals beyond high school. Since that time, LYC has evolved and changed its targeted focus to middle school-aged students. After several years the conference has returned to its roots as a community-centered initiative led by community leaders.

The Hispanic Center of Western Michigan(link is external) has stepped out front to enhance the impact of the Latinx Youth Conference in West Michigan. GRCC remains steadfast in our support by hosting the conference on our campus.

Please direct questions, donations, sponsorships, and support to the Hispanic Center.

Contact: (616) 742-0200

OTHER PARTNERSTYPE
3:11 Youth Housing(link is external)Guest Facilitator
ACT PhotomediaVendor
African-American Male Achievement ConferenceWoodrick Center for Inclusion and Multicultural Affairs Advocate
Alchemy GFX Design(link is external)Vendor
Ana Jose, West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of CommerceGuest Facilitator
Big Heads and Beats(link is external)Vendor
Blue Cross Blue Shield of West MichiganSponsor
Brigham Consulting, LLC(link is external)Vendor
Carlito Rodriguez, WriterGuest Facilitator
Casey Philip Wong, UCLA(link is external)Guest Facilitator
Cerva Screen Printing Vendor
Counseula Barber-Lopez(link is external)Guest Facilitator
Daddy's Dough Cookies(link is external)Vendor
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services(link is external)Vendor
Delaware Manor(link is external)Community Partner
DeVos Family Foundation(link is external)Sponsor
Dr. Felipe Lopez Sustaita, Hispanic Latino Commission of MichiganGuest Facilitator
Dr. Michael Eric Dyson(link is external)Vendor
Dr. Regina N. Bradley, Red Clay Scholar(link is external)Vendor
Dr. Wil del Pilar, The Education Trust(link is external)Guest Facilitator
Dr. Yusef Salaam, The Exonerated 5Vendor
Dreams by Bella Photography(link is external)Vendor
Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative(link is external)Woodrick Center for Inclusion and Multicultural Affairs Advocate
El Globo Restaurant(link is external)Vendor
Fifth Third Bank(link is external)Sponsor
Forty Acres(link is external)Vendor
Fountain Street Church(link is external)Vendor
Grand Rapids Pride Center(link is external)Woodrick Center for Inclusion and Multicultural Affairs Advocate
Grand Rapids Public Schools(link is external)Community Partner
Grand Rapids Trans Foundation(link is external)Woodrick Center for Inclusion and Multicultural Affairs Advocate
Grand Rapids Urban LeagueCommunity Partner
GRCC Black Africana Student Union(link is external)Community Engagement
Greisa Martinez-RosasVendor
Hispanic Center of West Michigan(link is external)Woodrick Center for Inclusion and Multicultural Affairs Advocate
HQ [Unhoused Advocate]Guest Facilitator
Jasiri X(link is external)Guest Facilitator
Jenna Arnold(link is external)Vendor
Jon W. ConvingtonCommunity Partner
Kent County Democrats (link is external)Sponsor
Lake Michigan Credit Union(link is external)Sponsor
Latino Youth Conference(link is external)Woodrick Center for Inclusion and Multicultural Affairs Advocate
Malamiah Juice Bar(link is external)Vendor
Mark Anthony Neal, Duke University(link is external)Guest Facilitator
Marvin Law Offce, PC(link is external)Sponsor
Mayan Chocolate and Ice CreamVendor
Meghan Moore, Avanti Law Firm(link is external)Guest Facilitator
Meijer(link is external)Sponsor
Mercantile Bank of Michigan(link is external)Sponsor
Mercy Health(link is external)Sponsor
Michael Skolnik, co-founder of The Soze Agency, SMG Speakers(link is external)Vendor
Michele Keren, Artist/Designer(link is external)Vendor
MK Creative(link is external)Vendor
NAACP(link is external)Sponsor/Woodrick Center for Inclusion and Multicultural Affairs Advocate
Norman Bent, University of Detroit MercyGuest Facilitator
Pardon my Fro(link is external)Vendor
Parsley Mediterranean GrillVendor
Paul Gorski(link is external)Vendor
Phentix(link is external)Vendor
Pj Da DJ SoundVendor
PM Engraving(link is external)Vendor
Professor Jermaine Reese, Director of the GRCC Police and Corrections AcademyGuest Facilitator
Rafael Pastrano, Grand Rapids Community CollegeGuest Facilitator
Rakim(link is external)Vendor
Rap Sessions, LLCVendor
Rebeca Ontiveros Chavez, Michigan Immigrant Rights CenterGuest Facilitator
Rev. Tamara BaldwinSponsor
Rose Clemente(link is external)Vendor
Ruben Gonzalez, Olympic Motivation Inc. (link is external)Vendor
Samantha Magdaleno, One MichiganGuest Facilitator
Sankofa Edition(link is external)Vendor
Senator Winnie Brinks(link is external)Sponsor
Sergio Cira-Reyes, Urban Core CollectiveGuest Facilitator
Shannon Cohen, Inc(link is external)Vendor
Soldadera Coffee(link is external)Vendor
Spectrum Health(link is external)Sponsor
Stacey Heisler, Grand Rapids Community CollegeGuest Facilitator
Start Garden(link is external)Sponsor
Steelcase(link is external)Sponsor
Stephen R. Drew and Adam C. Sturdivant of Drew & Anding(link is external)Sponsor
Swift Printing Company(link is external)Vendor
The Candied Yam, LLC(link is external)Vendor
The Kenny Matthews Band(link is external)Vendor
Triple J's Just Jesus Jersey's(link is external)Vendor
Tuyet M. Le, SMG Speakers(link is external)Vendor
V's Anytime Chauffeur(link is external)Vendor
Wacky Buttons Inc(link is external)Vendor
West Hispanic Chamber of Commerce(link is external)Woodrick Center for Inclusion and Multicultural Affairs Advocate
West Side Massage(link is external)Vendor
Women's LifeStyle Magazine(link is external)Woodrick Center for Inclusion and Multicultural Affairs Advocate
Women's Resource Center(link is external)Woodrick Center for Inclusion and Multicultural Affairs Advocate
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