GRCC In the News 02/02/2023

40th anniversary of GIANT Awards will salute decades of Black leadership in Grand Rapids

2/1/23 MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – This year is the 40th anniversary of the esteemed annual GIANT Awards, and Grand Rapids Community College is hosting a special celebration to salute the decades of Black leaders who have contributed to the city of Grand Rapids.

Holland Christian pitcher Trevor Nagelkirk signs with GRCC

2/1/23 The Holland Sentinel

HOLLAND – Trevor Nagelkirk just wants to get better.

… He will get a chance to continue his career and improve some more next year. He signed a natinal letter of intent to play baseball at Grand Rapids Community College.

Leading the band, on field and off

2/1/23 School News Network (Kent Intermediate School District)

Godwin Heights — Carlos Soto-Castillo’s interest in the saxophone started with a YouTube video.

… Because his dad works in construction, he quickly discovered it as a potential career. Carlos plans to head into construction management by first attending Grand Rapids Community College and then on to Ferris State University.

Grant expands GRAAHI’s power to eliminate health disparities

1/30/23 Rapid Growth Media

Thanks to a $1 million American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant awarded by Kent County, the Grand Rapids African American Health Institute (GRAAHI) will expand and enhance programming aimed at reducing health disparities within the county’s BIPOC communities. Founded in 2002 in reaction to a Kent County Health Department community needs assessment, the grassroots organization has leveraged community input and collaborations with other organizations to address disturbing racial disparities in maternal and infant mortality, diabetes, access to mental and medical health care and more.

… The grant will also expand GRAAHI’s Pathways to Healthcare Careers program, which seeks to increase underrepresented students in health care professions.
Launched in Grand Rapids Public Schools in fall 2022 at Stocking Elementary and UPrep Middle and High Schools, Pathways connects educators, healthcare professionals, academic tutors and mentors with students during after-school sessions. Additional Pathways pilot programs are being developed with Grand Rapids Community College, Davenport University, Ferris State University, Michigan State University and Grand Valley State University as well as with three Grand Rapids area hospitals — Spectrum Health Butterworth, Trinity Health Saint Mary’s and University of Michigan Health-West.