The prestigious GIANT Among Giants Award, recognizing exceptional individuals for a lifetime of leadership, public service and community impact, was presented to the Honorable Deborah L. Clanton and Mr. Richard Vernon Clanton during the 43rd Annual GIANT Awards ceremony held Saturday, Jan. 31 at DeVos Place. Richard Clanton was honored posthumously. The GIANT Among Giants Award is the highest honor bestowed by the GIANT Awards and recognizes recipients whose lifelong commitment to justice, equity and community empowerment has left a lasting legacy in Grand Rapids and beyond. Deborah Clanton has devoted more than three decades to advancing justice and equality within the criminal justice system. She serves in a dual role as magistrate and director of probation services for the 62nd B District Court of Kentwood and was sworn in as the city’s first magistrate in 1992. She was also the first African American magistrate appointed in the Greater Grand Rapids area. Clanton began her career in corrections in 1977 and has served in leadership, counseling and teaching roles throughout Michigan and Georgia. She holds a bachelor of science in criminal justice from Grand Valley State University and a master’s degree in public administration from Western Michigan University. In addition to her professional career, she has been a dedicated community advocate, particularly in advancing HIV/AIDS awareness and education, and has held leadership roles with numerous civic and nonprofit organizations. She previously received the GIANT Awards’ Floyd Skinner Justice Award in 2005. Beyond her work in the courts, Clanton is widely recognized for her long-standing advocacy for voting rights and civic engagement. A leader in nonpartisan voter registration, education and protection efforts, she has worked tirelessly to ensure access to the ballot, including during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through partnerships with community organizations, faith institutions and civil rights groups, Clanton has helped register voters, educate residents on their rights and protect the integrity of the voting process. She has often described voting as “the great equalizer,” emphasizing its power to amplify voices and drive meaningful change. Richard Clanton was remembered as a respected civic leader, mentor and public servant whose influence spanned business, government, faith and community development. A Detroit native, he earned a bachelor of science in socioeconomics from Oakland University and later completed an executive master of business administration. He spent 27 years in leadership roles with Sears before continuing his career as executive director of the former YMCA of Grand Rapids and later as CEO of the United Methodist Community House. Clanton also served the city of Kentwood in numerous elected and appointed roles, including city commissioner, mayor pro tem and, following the death of Mayor Richard Root, completion of the mayoral term. His leadership extended statewide through service with the Michigan Municipal League and the MIchigan Black Elected Officials. He was previously honored with the GIANT Awards’ Walter Coe Public Service Award in 2005. “Deborah and Richard Clanton exemplify what it means to be GIANTs among Giants,” said Tempy Mann, chair of the 43rd GIANT Awards. “Their lives reflect integrity, compassion and an unwavering commitment to public service. Their impact will continue to shape our community for generations.” Established in 1983 by Dr. Patricia Pulliam and Cedric Ward, the GIANT Awards pay tribute to notable African Americans who have made significant contributions to the betterment of society. Each of the 12 annual awards is named after a local “giant,” an individual of exceptional importance who shaped the legacy of Grand Rapids.  This year’s recipients were selected from more than 120 nominations and represent a wide range of leadership across humanitarian service, education, labor, business, faith, justice, medicine, public service, the arts and community advocacy. 2026 GIANT Award Recipients Kelsey Perdue – W.W. Plummer Humanitarian Award Johnny Walker – William Glenn Trailblazer Award Tanya Powell-May – Milo Brown Business Award Shana Lewis – Martha Reynolds Labor Award Kenyatta Hill-Hall – Hattie Beverly Education Award Belinda Cunningham – H.C. Toliver Religious Life Award Kimberley Williams – Floyd Skinner Justice Award Dr. Kathleen Jarrett – Eugene Browning Medical Service Award Lamar James – Ethel Coe Humanities Award Kenisha Dorsey – Walter Coe Public Service Award The Omega Scouts – Raymond Tardy Community Service Award Shanda Vaughn – Phyllis Scott Activist Award Proceeds from the GIANT Awards Banquet will benefit the Junior GIANT Scholarship Fund, which supports and empowers the next generation of leaders. The 2025 recipients are: Cedric Ward Leadership Scholarship Azaria Powell Randon Beasley, Jr. Dr. Patricia Pulliam Leadership Scholarship Dhani James

Jan. 30, 2026 Bridging classroom learning with real-world experience gives students a richer college education and prepares them for the workforce. Grand Rapids Community College cultivates a learning environment that emphasizes collaboration with industry professionals, providing students with a well-rounded education as they begin their careers. Assistant Professor Corri Sandwick values real-world learning. During the fall 2025 semester, she partnered with Dykhouse Construction and Elevate Studio Architecture Design to give students firsthand exposure to an active renovation site at Encounter Church. Students in the Construction Materials course toured the job site with Aaron Ide of Dykhouse Construction and Susan Arnold of Elevate Studio Architecture Design. “I was looking for ways to get students out to see actual materials and construction rather than just spending time in the classroom,” Sandwick said. “The jobsite was a direct connection to what we were reading about. This was a perfect site because it included all the materials we had been talking about in class, like wood, concrete and steel.” Seeing a project in progress helped students understand concepts that are often hidden once construction is complete. “It can be harder to imagine what’s happening inside the walls when you see a finished structure,” Sandwick said. “Seeing it in its raw state helps students take what we’ve read and apply it in real time to what they’re seeing on site.” The class includes students from architecture technology , construction management and facilities management programs. In the classroom, students can feel like separate parts taking the same course. Touring the site with both the architect and the construction team allowed them to see how those roles intersect in practice. “It was so valuable to see the challenges each department runs into,” Sandwick said. “The students heard honest conversations about troubleshooting. It’s a renovation project, so there are always questions and issues. Hearing the dialogue about what was discovered, what the team was thinking and how they solved challenges while still meeting the client’s needs was incredibly impactful.” Students are encouraged to build connections with industry professionals, pursue internships and gain hands-on experience as an extension of classroom learning. Opportunities like this give students a clearer picture of the environments they may work in after graduation as well as provide them with a starting point for making connections within their area of interest.  “I think it’s great to get students in early and often so they truly understand what a jobsite looks like,” Ide said. “No matter their major, being able to see it helps them envision what it will be like after graduation.” Ide, construction manager for the church renovation, said he was impressed by the students’ engagement. “They asked a lot of good questions about how things went together and why they were done that way,” he said. “They weren’t just thinking about what was happening, but why it was happening. That speaks well for the future and for students coming out of college.” Arnold, an architect with Elevate Studio Architecture Design and the point of contact for the renovation project, brought a nontraditional perspective to the experience. Her career path included time serving abroad with the Peace Corps. “I think it’s great for students to see a woman architect,” Arnold said. “I’ve had an unconventional career path, and I haven’t always worked full time for a firm, but my career has been really good.” In addition to learning about construction methods, students saw the importance of communication and collaboration among firms. “Since I have a mix of architecture, facilities management and construction management students, experiences like this help them see collaboration in action,” Sandwick said. “It’s not always linear. The client may want one thing, the architect designs another, and the contractor has different considerations. Understanding the whole picture leads to more successful projects.” Students had two opportunities to visit the jobsite, once during the semester and again during a voluntary visit over winter break. “I didn’t know what to expect in terms of turnout,” Ide said. “What surprised me was how strong it was both times. The students cared about seeing the project through and learning how earlier issues were resolved.” Ide said working with students benefits the industry as a whole. “Being able to invest in future architects and construction managers and get them excited helps raise the industry,” he said. “The more we push to better ourselves, the more we improve safety and deliver better results for clients.” Both Dykhouse Construction and Elevate Studio Architecture Design expressed interest in continuing their collaboration with GRCC as projects allow. The experience benefited the students and the professionals alike by strengthening relationships and reinforcing the importance of teamwork. “It’s really about collaboration,” Arnold said. “Issues and obstacles are a normal part of the process, but communication, perseverance and working as a team make it possible to deliver the best outcome for the client.” Visit GRCC’s Mechanical and Architectural Design Department web page to explore more programs and learn about exciting careers! This story was reported by Anjula Caldwell