Diversity Lecture (pop-up) Series highlights ‘Memphis Majic’ today in the ATC

• WHAT: Diversity Lecture Pop-Up Series presentation of the film MEMPHIS MAJIC, plus a Q&A with director Eddie Bailey
• WHEN: Today (4/17) at 1 p.m.
• WHERE: ATC Auditorium.

Reservations are sold out, however, GRCC stakeholders are invited to attend because people who reserved seats may not show up due to unforeseen circumstances.

 

MEMPHIS MAJIC is a documentary that weaves dance and history to portray a relevant reflection of modern culture. The brainchild of Emmy-nominated director and Memphis native, Eddie Bailey, the film looks at the city through the lens of a 30-year old Memphis-born street dance called Jookin’. Featuring street dance superstar, Lil Buck, MEMPHIS MAJIC seamlessly connects urban dance, Hip-Hop, politics, and history to reveal how one of America’s most important cities was built. It is a universal story that gets to the heart of the city’s rich culture, history, race relations, and socioeconomic barriers.

Diversity Lecture (pop-up) Series highlights ‘Memphis Majic’ Wednesday in the ATC

• WHAT: Diversity Lecture Pop-Up Series presentation of the film MEMPHIS MAJIC, plus a Q&A with director Eddie Bailey
• WHEN: Wednesday (4/17) at 1 p.m.
• WHERE: ATC Auditorium.

Reservations are sold out, however, GRCC stakeholders are invited to attend because people who reserved seats may not show up due to unforeseen circumstances.

MEMPHIS MAJIC is a documentary that weaves dance and history to portray a relevant reflection of modern culture. The brainchild of Emmy-nominated director and Memphis native, Eddie Bailey, the film looks at the city through the lens of a 30-year old Memphis-born street dance called Jookin’. Featuring street dance superstar, Lil Buck, MEMPHIS MAJIC seamlessly connects urban dance, Hip-Hop, politics, and history to reveal how one of America’s most important cities was built. It is a universal story that gets to the heart of the city’s rich culture, history, race relations, and socioeconomic barriers.

GRCC In the News, 9/16/16

GRCC teams up with Fiat Chrysler as certified training site
9/15/16 – MLive
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Grand Rapids Community College is joining Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ network of certified technical training sites, officials announced Thursday, Sept. 15.

 

GR Community College diversity series opens with political analyst
9/15/16 – MLive               
The Diversity Lecture Series, sponsored by Grand Rapids Community College’s Bob and Aleicia Woodrick Center for Equity and Inclusion, is intended to provide insight and understanding of multicultural issues to the West Michigan community.

 

Early college program works to fill manufacturing jobs
9/15/16 – WOODTV.com
SPRING LAKE, Mich. (WOOD) — Just a few years ago manufacturing in Michigan was dead on arrival. Skilled trades had no future in the state. High school students considering skilled trades as a career sought other options.

 

Rees Foundation awards $63,000 in HVACR scholarships
9/15/16 – ACHR News
ARLINGTON, Va. — The Clifford H. “Ted” Rees Jr. Scholarship Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation of the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) and ACCA, announced scholarship awards totaling $63,000 to 37 students, including four veterans, studying to become technicians in the HVACR and water heating industry.

 

College fair to assist former ITT Technical Institute students
9/15/16 – Fox 17
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Representatives from seven area colleges and universities will be meeting with former students of ITT Technical Institute to help them further their educations.

 

MCC Jayhawks volleyball team drop huge lead, fall to GRCC in five sets
9/16/16 – Local Sports Journal
MUSKEGON – At the end of the night one of two very good volleyball teams had to lose its first conference match of the season. Unfortunately that team was Muskegon Community College, which dropped a 3-2 heartbreaker to archrival Grand Rapids Community College in a showdown on Thursday.

 

GRCC In the News, 8-19-16

GRCC Renames Bob And Aleicia Woodrick Center For Equity And Inclusion

Aug. 12, 2016; Grand Rapids Times

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) announced recently a new name for The Bob and Aleicia Woodrick Diversity Learning Center. Renamed to the Bob and Aleicia Woodrick Center for Equity and Inclusion, the center will continue and expand its work and its social justice mission.

Diversity Learning Center, Kent County Young Women for Change to present ‘The Hunting Ground’

PLEASE JOIN US for the viewing of The Hunting Ground a documentary about the incidence of sexual assault on college campuses in the United States.

Wednesday, May 25, 2016
Reception – 5:30 pm
Film – 6:00 pm
Discussion to follow facilitated by YWCA staff member
Grand Rapids Community College
Wisner-Bottrall Applied Technology Center
151 Fountain Street NE

SUGGESTED DONATION:
Feminine hygiene products to
benefit the women’s shelter at
the YWCA.

View this document on Scribd

Congratulations to Chris Arnold, Mary Brown

Congratulations to Chris Arnold, of the Woodrick Diversity Center, and adjunct faculty member Mary Brown for being recognized in the Grand Rapids Business Journal’s 50 Most Influential Women in West Michigan.

GRCC in the News, 3-9-16

College hosting diversity workshop March 14

3/8/16 – Harbor Light

North Central Michigan College is offering a diversity workshop on Monday, March 14 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Iron Horse Café. Tamber Bustance from the Woodrick Diversity Learning Center at Grand Rapids Community College will present an interactive workshop on Unintentional Bias.

Salute to Women recognizes Patti Trepkowski, Nikki Banks, Mary Brown, Sarah Vansolkema

Everyone is invited to the Salute to Women event on March 29:

View this document on Scribd

GRCC In the News, 2-19-16

Former NAACP President gives advice to GRCC students

Feb. 18, 2016; WGVU

Former NAACP president Ben Jealous visited Grand Rapids Community College as part of its Black History celebration. Jealous addressed students at Fountain Street Church Wednesday evening explaining how young people can change the world.

Market fresh pizza eatery Rocket Pies coming to Downtown Market

Feb. 18, 2016; WOTV

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOTV) — The Grand Rapids Downtown Market, the region’s preeminent destination for innovative food experiences, today announced Rocket Pies, an all-new, market-fresh pizza eatery, as its latest tenant in the Market Hall. Rocket Pies will have a veggie-positive focus on Neapolitan-style pizzas and hearty salad bowls using certified organic ingredients.

… In Italy, raw arugula is often added to pizzas just before the baking period ends or immediately afterwards, giving it a sweet, peppery flavor. (Chris) McKellar, who attended the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education, envisions Rocket Pies as simple, Neapolitan-style pizzas.

Corporate chef joins Stafford’s Hospitality

Feb. 18, 2016; The Petoskey News

PETOSKEY — Northern Michigan hotel and restaurant group Stafford’s Hospitality recently welcomed a new corporate chef, DJ Flynn.

Stafford’s noted that Flynn joined its team at the beginning of 2016 and brings extensive knowledge and experience in Northern Michigan. He graduated from Culinary School at Grand Rapids Community College. After graduation, he worked at Tapawingo in Ellsworth as chef de cuisine for five years, held the executive chef position at Bay Harbor Yacht Club, spent some time in New Orleans and most recently, was the executive chef for two Walloon Lake dining spots, Barrel Back and Walloon Lake Inn.

Pre-spring outlook: wide receivers

Feb. 18, 2016; thebuckeyebattlecry.com

With the recruits signed, sealed, and almost delivered it is officially time to look forward to the 2016 football season.

… Redshirt senior Corey Smith has had a winding road to this point. He is originally from Akron but had a winding path to Columbus through Grand Rapids Community College and East Mississippi Community College. Smith has had his ups and downs during his two years at Ohio State but consistently is able to work his way into the rotation because it is obvious to see how talented he is at wide receiver. Last year, Smith only played in four games last year due to a gruesome injury. On signing day, Coach Meyer announced Smith would receive another year of eligibility due to a medical redshirt. After losing all three starters from the 2015 team, Smith coming back for a third year with the Buckeyes will be huge. For his Ohio State career, Smith has 25 catches for 317 yards.

“My West Michigan”

Feb. 18, 2016; WZZM

There’s a new program hitting the airwaves on WZZM 13. It’s “Cooking with Angus,” starring Chef Angus Campbell from the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education at Grand Rapids Community College.

GRCC In the News, 2-17-16

GRPS specialty schools earn recognition

Feb. 16, 2016; WZZM

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WZZM) — Several Grand Rapids Public Schools are being recognized for beating the odds.

… (Superintendent Teresa) Weatherall Neal was also recently awarded the Giant Among Giants award from Grand Rapids Community College’s Woodrick Diversity Learning Center, which recognizes African Americans who make a big difference in our community.

Dine Local: In the Kitchen with DJ Flynn, corporate chef, Stafford’s Hospitality

Feb. 17, 2016; Harbor Light (Harbor Springs)

When it comes to food, this community is known for farm and lake fresh, sweet treats, and cult favorites. What is less known (or at least, less thought of) is the important impact our local food providers make on our economy. In addition to the countless jobs provided and endless support of school and community groups, our local restaurants, farms, and grocery stores play a key role in helping define our sense of place.

… (DJ) Flynn is a graduate of the Culinary School at Grand Rapids Community College, and has served as Chef de’Cuisine at Tapiwingo for five years, executive chef at Bay Harbor Yacht Club, spent time in the culinary world of New Orleans, and was most recently executive chef at Barrel Back Restaurant and Walloon Lake Inn.

GRCC In the News, 2-10-16

First Generation College Student Struggles to Fit In

Feb. 9, 2016; schoolnewsnetwork.org (KISD newsletter)

Godfrey Lee Public Schools, MI — Jordan Lovett feels a little like a puzzle piece that doesn’t quite fit lately. She sits in the Moose Cafe at Aquinas College holding a cup of hot cocoa and reflects on the last semester.

… She’s now got a heavy slate of 18 credits: biology, math for liberal arts, inquiry and expression, history of popular music and Spanish. But she’s transferring after this semester to Grand Rapids Community College, where she can save a lot of money in pursuing a major in social work.

New mentoring program seeks to connect local youth of color with Grand Rapids’ tech industry

Feb. 9, 2016; therapidian.org

On Thursday, February 11, local businessmen Jonathan Jelks and Alvin Hill IV will launch The Midwest Tech Project Mentoring Program at the Grand Rapids Art Museum aimed at exposing Grand Rapids youth of color to the technology sector and opportunities within it.

“What inspired this project for us is the fact that Grand Rapids is ranked with 53% unemployment for in the black community and 43% of African Americans live in poverty in the city of Grand Rapids. And we have a really fascinating and strong tech community in Grand Rapids. We think we can help them have a stronger relationship, more grassroots in our own city, particularly the African American and Latino communities. Since the 2014 Future of Michigan Workforce forum at Grand Rapids Community College, we’ve been brainstorming and conceptualizing way to connect kids of color to the tech industry here in Grand Rapids,” Jelks, co-founder of The Midwest Tech Project.

Beautiful in mind, body, and soul

Feb. 5, 2016; WOTV

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOTV) — Beautiful U is an event for middle school girls to teach them about being beautiful in mind, body, and soul.

… Another career path presented to the girls came from the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education. More women are going into the culinary industry, and presenters showed the girls it is a career path that’s open to them. On the message of health, they also learned the pre-teen years are pivotal for bone health. Messages from Jane Hedges, RD, the United Dairy Industry of Michigan, and Olympic gold medal swimmer Allison Schmitt taught girls about healthy food choices and importance of dairy.

Poetry Slam team being organized for national competitions

Feb. 9, 2016; MLive

Local poets and spoken word artists take note.

… He (Antonio Taylor) hosts an open mic program every Wednesday and performs locally; one of his largest audiences was at a celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. event hosted by Grand Rapids Community College.

Diversity Lecture Series features Benjamin Todd Jealous

Please join us as we celebrate 21 years of diverse voices at our Annual Diversity Lecture Series, Wednesday, February 17, featuring Benjamin Todd Jealous, Civil and Human Rights Leader, former NAACP President, Venture Capitalist and Author, “Mass Incarceration and Justice in America,” 7:00 p.m., Fountain Street Church, 24 Fountain Street NE. Free and open to all.

“Mass Incarceration and Justice in America”
Benjamin Todd Jealous, former NAACP president, recently joined the Silicon Valley venture capital firm Kapor Capital. Jealous says, “reforming the nation’s criminal justice systems is one of the most urgent civil right issues of our time. More African American men are entangled in the criminal justice system today than were enslaved in 1850.”

GRCC In the News, 2-8-16

GRCC joins national affordable textbook program

Feb. 5, 2016; Grand Rapids Business Journal

Grand Rapids Community College has joined a growing list of schools that are providing free, professional-quality textbooks to students to improve access to higher educational learning.

GRBJ: GRCC starts program for free textbooks

Feb. 8, 2016; WZZM

Grand Rapids Community College has joined a growing list of schools that are providing free, professional-quality textbooks to students to improve access to higher educational learning.

Grand Rapids Superintendent Teresa Weatherall Neal wins the 2016 Giant Among Giants Award

Feb. 7, 2016; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — For 40 years, Teresa Weatherall Neal has dedicated her life to helping young people realize their potential, including tackling barriers that so often keep poor kids from learning and finding success.

… On Saturday, Feb. 6, Neal was named a Giant Among Giants, the top honor at the 34th annual Giants Awards at DeVos Place. The event hosted by Grand Rapids Community College recognizes the notable contributions of African Americans to the quality of life in Grand Rapids. A dozen others were also honored for making a difference in the community.

Area high school grads making an impact on college sports scene

Feb. 5, 2016; MLive

The winter season is heading down the homestretch for local college athletes and a number of former area high school standouts are turning in strong seasons with their college teams.

… NorthPointe Christian grad Regan Cross is a freshman on the Grand Rapids Community College women’s basketball team. Cross is averaging 10 points per game, along with 3.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists. Cross scored a season-high 17 points against the Hope College JV.

Hope Dollarhide, Karli Warning are best friends off the court, double-trouble in competition

Feb. 5, 2016; MLive

WAYLAND — It’s double-trouble out on the basketball court for the Wayland Union girls basketball team.

… “Both of them will be continuing on with basketball after college,” (coach Marty) Howard stated. “Hope (Dollarhide) has already signed a letter of intent to play at Lawrence Tech, and Karli (Warning) will be attending and playing at Grand Rapids Community College.”

GRCC In the News, 2-4-16

Free tax assistance across W. MI for low-income families

Feb. 3, 2016; WOOD TV

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Student and staff from colleges across West Michigan are offering free tax filing assistance for low-income families.

… Accounting students from Davenport University, Aquinas College, Cornerstone University and Grand Rapids Community College are participating.

11 ways to honor Black History Month in West Michigan

Feb. 4, 2016; rapidgrowthmedia.com

When African Americans began to move to West Michigan after the Civil War, with many individuals heading to the area after fleeing the Southern United States during the Great Migration, between World War I and II, they did so in search of a better life. African Americans have since become an integral part of the Grand Rapids community, contributing major accomplishments in the area, from the arts to business and much more.

… Today, more African American men are entangled in the criminal justice system than were enslaved in 1850 an astounding statistic that the former president of the NAACP, Benjamin Todd Jealous, will discuss on February 17. As part of the Grand Rapids Community College Lecture Series, Jealous will present his speech, “Mass Incarceration and Justice in America” at Fountain Street Church at 7pm. The program is free and open to the public.

 

GRCC In the News, 2-2-16

e-Headlines

Feb. 1, 2016; Community College Daily (newsletter of the American Association of Community Colleges)

… Mich. college taps into craft beer growth

MLive.com

The demand for people with a high level of brewing knowledge has increased with the explosion of the craft beer industry, prompting Grand Rapids Community College to offer a new certificate program beginning this summer.

Celebrate Black History Month Around Town

Feb. 1, 2016; Women’s LifeStyle magazine

The annual, month-long celebration of the critical contributions African-Americans have made to history was once a weeklong phase that added bits of black history education into the public school curriculum. That phase extended to an entire month of observance, events and festivities among the dynamic collection of races and cultures that make up American history. Some of our favorite places for celebrating are right here in Grand Rapids.

… GRCC Lecture Series XXI celebrates 21 years of diverse voices.

GRCC beats GOCC women

Feb. 1, 2016; Three Rivers Commercial-News

CENTREVILLE — The Glen Oaks Community College women’s basketball team dropped a 71-34 Western Conference decision at home Saturday to Grand Rapids Community College.

Vikings rally to knock off Raiders

Feb. 1, 2016; Three Rivers Commercial-News

CENTREVILLE — The Glen Oaks Community College men’s basketball team pulled out a thrilling 95-91 Western Conference win at home Saturday over Grand Rapids Community College.

Four Michigan Schools Receive 2016 Excellence in Practice Awards

Feb. 1, 2016; state government press release

LANSING — Four Michigan schools have received the prestigious Excellence in Practice Awards from the Michigan Department of Education, recognizing exemplary practices in preparing Michigan’s students for careers and higher education.

… 2016 Excellence in Practice Award for Career and Technical Education Program was presented to:

Capital Area Career Center, Culinary Arts and Hospitality

… Program students earn postsecondary credit at Davenport University, Ferris State University, Lansing Community College, Henry Ford Community College, Washtenaw Community College, Jackson College, Grand Rapids Community College, Sullivan University, the Art Institute International Culinary School, Johnson & Wales University, and Baker College.