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Event postponed: Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: A commemoration of justice, freedom and democracy

The 2025 celebration has been postponed. The new date will be posted soon. Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) is proud to participate in the 39th annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration. This year’s event, titled Mission Possible: Protecting Freedom, Justice and Democracy in the Spirit of Nonviolence365, will take place on Monday, January 20, 2025, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the historic Fountain Street Church in downtown Grand Rapids. The event promises to be a powerful tribute to Dr. King's legacy and a call to action for continued efforts in promoting justice and equality. The theme reflects Dr. King's commitment to nonviolence as a tool for social change, a principle that continues to resonate today. Keynote Speaker: LaTosha Brown This year’s keynote address will be delivered by LaTosha Brown, a nationally recognized thought leader, cultural activist and expert in Black voting rights and voter suppression. Brown is the co-founder of Black Voters Matter, an organization dedicated to boosting Black voter registration and turnout, as well as empowering marginalized communities. She is also a founder of the Southern Black Girls & Women’s Consortium, a $100 million initiative aimed at uplifting Black women and girls across the South. Brown's inspiring leadership and advocacy for social justice have earned her numerous accolades and recognition, including appearances on major networks like ABC, CBS and CNN. As a passionate advocate for Black women's empowerment, Brown's keynote address will highlight the ongoing fight for equality and offer insights on how communities can come together to protect the values of freedom, justice, and democracy. Honoring the Legacy The evening will include several musical and poetic performances, including a stirring rendition of the Black National Anthem, Lift Every Voice and Sing, by the congregation and a moving musical selection by the Grand Rapids Community Choir. The ceremony will feature a tribute to Dr. King's legacy along with remarks from notable Grand Rapids leaders. A historical video presentation will further honor Dr. King’s contributions, followed by the announcement of the Inherit the Dream Scholarships. These scholarships, awarded annually to students committed to community service and diversity, recognize those who embody the spirit of Dr. King’s work in their own lives. The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration is free and open to the public. We encourage everyone to attend, reflect on Dr. King's profound impact and engage in meaningful discussions about how to carry his vision forward into the future. Together, we can continue his work to build a just, inclusive and equitable society for all.

GRCC's Campus Activities Board hosts a Comedy Night

Campus Activities Board (CAB), an appointed student organization on campus, whose charge is to create meaningful experiences for students and the GRCC community, is hosting a comedy event tonight, January 16th from 5 - 8pm in the ATC Auditorium. Tonight's comedians are Ben Palmer, also known as PalmerTrolls, and Caleb Elliott. Check out their bios below! Ben Palmer (a.k.a. PalmerTrolls), is a comedian and internet personality renowned for his distinctive blend of satire, trolling and social commentary. He initially gained fame by posing as corporate accounts, government entities, and other official organizations on social media, responding humorously to customer complaints and social issues. Ben's content often involves elaborate pranks, such as impersonating customer service agents, creating fake court cases to appear on TV, or pretending to be a journalist to trick CEOs and multilevel marketing figures. His work has gone viral across platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram, accumulating over a billion views. His live performances mix digital storytelling with traditional stand up comedy, creating a unique blend that resonates with audiences. Caleb Elliott is a comedian, writer, and actor from North Carolina who's been performing stand up since he was 11 years old. At the age of 14 he opened for Bill Bellamy, and since then has worked with comedians such as Tracey Morgan, Ralphie May, Donnell Rawlings, and Sinbad. In 2020 he became the youngest comic to release a Dry Bar Comedy Special, "Diary of a Smooth Black Kid". In 2021 he released a comedy extended playlist "Humorous Interpretation" on Sirius XM and Laugh USA. In 2022, Caleb made his first television appearance on season 2 of 'Stand Up Nashville' for the Opry Network. He is currently on tour with John Crist. CAB is welcoming students and employees to join this fun event tonight. Feel free to bring a friend and we will see you there!
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