GRCC Honors Selfless Citizens with Giants Awards

Grand Rapids Community College honored some of the city’s most generous citizens at the 30^th annual Giants Awards.

 “This is an awesome event. It was started thirty years ago, to recognize African Americans in this community who had made significant contributions,” says Faye Richardson Green, with the planning and selection committee.

“In terms of our country’s racial history, the contributions of African Americans sometimes goes unnoticed, unseen, uncelebrated,” she explains.

More than 800 people gathered inside the Devos Performance Hall to recognize this year’s 13 honorees.  Healthcare, education, and business are just few of the areas where they’ve made contributions.

Anita Christopher won the Walter Coe Public Service Award. “I think everybody has a role to play and a part, something they can give. Even folks that say ‘I don’t have anything, can give their time’,” Christopher says.

Anneshia Freeman won the Phyllis Scott Activist Award. “I believe in social justice and economic justice, and I work with a population that I believe that a lot of people believe cannot be helped,” Freeman says.

The Raymond Tardy Community Service went to Jennifer Moss Hawkins. “I volunteer, I mentor students in journalism, and I work in our church food pantry,” Moss explains.

 “I do a lot of things in the community as a volunteer and they thought it was okay to honor with this, and I am incredibly touched and incredibly honored,” she says.

Each year, the Grand Rapids Junior College Foundation and the planning committee also give out the Milo Brown Scholarship to deserving students.

Committee members and awardees hope attendees walk away inspired. “This community is a diverse community… many people have contributed to its success,” Richardson explains.

The Giant among Giants Award went to Reverend Marvin Sapp. Here is the complete list of honorees.