Banquet Honors “Giants” in Grand Rapids’ African-American Community

Julie Bitely

| 2 min read

grand rapids giants awards
Recognizing individuals and organizations who contribute to a better Grand Rapids is the aim of the Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) Giants Awards.
Presented by GRCC’s Bob and Aleicia Woodrick Diversity Learning Center, the awards celebrate the contributions of African-American community members. The 33rd annual event will include a banquet and awards presentation at 6 p.m. on Feb. 7 at DeVos Place. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is a sponsor of the dinner and celebration.
Honorees are recognized for a number of categories named after local individuals in remembrance of their contributions to areas such as human rights, education, community service, health, business, and religion.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the Grand Rapids Community College Foundation’s Milo M. Brown Memorial Scholarship Fund. Two or more scholarships are awarded annually to African-American students.
This year’s award honorees are:
  • Michelle Lloyd-Paige, Ph.D., Floyd Skinner Justice Award
  • Floyd Wilson, Jr., Walter Coe Public Service Award
  • Larry Arnold Brewer, PA-C, Eugene Browning Medical Service Award
  • Dallas Lenear, W. Plummer Humanitarian Award
  • Lawrence N. Redd, Ph.D., Ethel Coe Humanities Award
  • Keli I. Christopher, Ph.D., Milo Brown Business Award
  • Dianne Green-Smith, Ph.D., Phyllis Scott Activist Award
  • George Grant, Jr., Ph.D. and Beverly Grant, William Glenn Trailblazer Award
  • Joseph D. Jones, Raymond Tardy Community Service Award
  • New Hope Baptist Church, C. Toliver Religious Life Award
  • Diane McMillan, Hattie Beverly Education Award
The “Giant Among Giants” award will be announced at the banquet. This award is presented to a person whose achievements are felt throughout and beyond the Grand Rapids community and is a past Giant Award honoree.
Are you attending the Giants Awards banquet? Who do you consider a community hero? Let us know in the comments.
If you enjoyed this post, you might also want to read:
Photo credit: Chris Hecox

A Healthier Michigan is sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, a nonprofit, independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.
No Personal Healthcare Advice or Other Advice
This Web site provides general educational information on health-related issues and provides access to health-related resources for the convenience of our users. This site and its health-related information and resources are not a substitute for professional medical advice or for the care that patients receive from their physicians or other health care providers.
This site and its health-related information resources are not meant to be the practice of medicine, the practice of nursing, or to carry out any professional health care advice or service in the state where you live. Nothing in this Web site is to be used for medical or nursing diagnosis or professional treatment.
Always seek the advice of your physician or other licensed health care provider. Always consult your health care provider before beginning any new treatment, or if you have any questions regarding a health condition. You should not disregard medical advice, or delay seeking medical advice, because of something you read in this site.