Reminder: Hip-hop legend Rakim to discuss his life, craft at GRCC Diversity Lecture Series today

Join us today at 6:30 p.m. for the Diversity Lecture Series with Rakim. Preshow starts at 6:15 p.m. For interactive Zoom access, RSVP to: tinyurl.com/rsvp-Rakim 

The event is open to the community.

Famously known by the moniker the “God MC,” Rakim, will discuss his critically acclaimed book, “Sweat the Technique: Revelations on Creativity from the Lyrical Genius” as part of Grand Rapids Community College’s Diversity Lecture Series.

The New York native is one half of the golden era of hip-hop duo Eric B. & Rakim, and is widely regarded as one of the most influential and most skilled MCs. The duo’s 1987 release “Paid in Full” was listed in Rolling Stone magazine’s Top 500 Albums of All Time.

Part memoir, part writing guide, the book offers insight into how Rakim thinks about words, music, writing, and rhyming as it teaches writers of all levels how to hone their craft. It is also a glimpse into Rakim’s private life, full of entertaining personal stories that celebrate the influences that shaped his development.

“The Diversity Lecture Series provides a broad platform to unpack current events,” said Dr. B. Afeni McNeely Cobham, GRCC’s chief equity and inclusion officer. “There is a concept in hip hop culture known as ‘freestyling,’ which is the ability to improvise a rhyme (rap), dance, or DJ set. For the last year, most of us had to pivot and improvise (or freestyle) our way through day-to-day interactions to make it work. Hearing from an artist who is the pantheon of rap lyricism and ad-lib artistic expression is the perfect crescendo to the lecture series.”

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Highlighting staff who help our students

Always remember, at GRCC, you are surrounded by people who want you to be successful and are ready to walk with you on your educational pathway. We are here to help!

Meet Njung’e Gathungu. He’s a student ambassador working in GRCC’s Enrollment Center. He’s able to answer questions about the registration process, tell you about the neat things on campus and connect you with resources and experts to get you ready to go.

Njung’e knows what it’s like because he’s a student, too! He’s a GRCC sophomore and is looking to become an occupational therapist.

“Right now, I’m gaining a sense of what I want to do with my school career,” he said. “GRCC is the best place for me to start towards my career goal. Here, I’m able to earn my associate degree at a very low cost. I’m able to work and pay for school myself! I am sure GRCC will be a good fit for you too. We have many clubs and our faculty are amazingly helpful.”

Njung’e is looking forward to working with you. If you need help with anything, he’ll know where to find it.

Connect with Njung’e and other student ambassadors to learn how GRCC is your best choice for pursuing your academic or professional goals. You can schedule an appointment on the GRCC webpage at: https://www.grcc.edu/students/orientation/meet-ambassador