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