Grand Rapids Community College will be hosting the 42nd annual GIANT Awards this Saturday, Feb. 1. at the DeVos Place. During the ceremony, 12 leaders of the Black community will be honored for their contributions and influence in Grand Rapids.
Those being honored include advocate for equity and inclusion Enid Gaddis who is receiving the W.W. Plummer Humanitarian Award, Reverend Daniel Smith receiving the H.C. Toliver Religious Life Award for his leadership at Messiah Baptist Church and Leslie King, who will be receiving the Floyd Skinner Justice Award for her work against sex trafficking.
“The recipients of the 2025 GIANT Awards were selected for their commitment to advancing the spirit of equality, justice and community progress,” Lyndsie Post, Executive Director of Marketing and Communications at GRCC, stated in an email.
Three GRCC students will be receiving scholarships during the ceremony as well.
GRCC student Sahara Tharbs-Hill will be receiving the Dr. Patricia Pulliam Leadership Scholarship. Tharbs-Hill is an aspiring educator and active volunteer.
First-generation student and single mother Keyanda Totten will receive the Milo M. Brown Memorial Scholarship during the ceremony. Totten is pursuing a dental hygiene degree and has prior experience as a dental receptionist. She is motivated by her desire to give back to others and provide a good future for her child.
Landon Wade will also receive the Milo M. Brown Memorial Scholarship. He is on a pre-theatre path at GRCC and “His perseverance and drive to succeed have made him one of the top students in his class,” according to the GRCC website.
Tickets are sold out. Doors will open and the welcome ceremony will begin at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner and the ceremony at 6:30 p.m.
