Hundreds gathered at DeVos Place on Feb. 1 to celebrate the work and achievements of Black leaders around Grand Rapids at the 42nd Annual GIANT Awards ceremony. Among the honorees was Cle Jackson, President of the Greater Grand Rapids NAACP, who was named the GIANT Among Giants for his dedication to social justice and civil rights.
“This giant’s work spans a wide range of critical issues,” said Tempy Mann, co-chair of the 42nd Giant Awards. “Including fighting racial profiling, supporting victims of unfair sentencing, promoting sentencing reform and responding to police brutality.”
Jackson received the award with a passionate acceptance speech, inviting multiple other members of the community on stage with him, emphasizing to those in attendance that “it takes all of us.”
“It’s not just about me,” Jackson said. “I want you all to understand that. All of our executive committee members, all of our volunteers, all of our members, all of our youth council members, that are out here every single day. That you don’t understand, that you don’t see the struggle.”
Fourteen others were honored during Saturday’s celebration, with members of the Giant Awards selection committee presenting each award.
Endi Gaddis received the W.W. Plummer Humanitarian Award for her work as the director of Equity and Inclusion at Arbor Circle.
“(Gaddis) has a fierce determination to do justice, coupled with her true humility. It makes her welcoming and approachable to all who work with her,” Faye Richardson-Green said while presenting the award.
Doyle Hayes received the William Glenn Trailblazer Award. Hayes spent over 20 years working for General Motors, starting as an hourly employee and working his way up to superintendent of Quality Manufacturing, Diesel and Gas Turbine Unit. Now, in his retirement, Hayes dedicates his time to advocating for young professionals.
“Doyle has been a mentor, as well as a surrogate father. His influence, presence and example are endowment,” Joe Jones said while presenting the award.
Twin sisters Jessica Ann Tyson and Monica Sparks received the Milo Brown Business Award. Monica has nearly three decades of experience as a licensed realtor and is in her third term as a Kent County Commissioner. Jessica is a Commissioner from the second ward in Kentwood and the CEO of JA PR Group.
“They have done a remarkable job individually, but collectively, they’ve done an amazing job, almost like a hundred entrepreneurs just within themselves,” said Jeremiah White while presenting the award.
Katrina Springer-Terry received the Martha Reynolds Labor Award. Springer-Terry has been with Consumers Energy since 1998, starting as a janitor. Now, she is a head storekeeper and union-appointed Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Co-Chair of Inclusions Champion.
“Katrina has systematically addressed biases in the workplace, leveraging resources to create a level playing field in hiring, promotions, contracting and corporate productivity… (She is) a wonderful model for young adults who chose not to attend college, but are willing to learn a trade,” said Vanessa Allen while presenting the award.
Chester Huff was this year’s recipient of the Hattie Beverly Education Award for nearly 40 years of work with Grand Rapids Public Schools.
“(Huff) was a humble educator, he led by example, and to this day his former students often express gratitude for the profound influence he had on their lives,” said Misti Stanton while presenting the award.
Reverend Daniel Smith, Senior Pastor of the Messiah Baptist Church of Grand Rapids, received the H.C. Toliver Religious Life Award. Smith has attracted many to the church with his visionary leadership and compassion.
“(Smith is) a pillar of the community, Pastor Smith has been instrumental in beginning a mission of speaking for those who cannot speak for themselves,” said Mann while presenting the award.
Leslie King received the Floyd Skinner Justice Award. A survivor of sex trafficking herself, she founded Sacred Beginnings, the only sex trafficking survivor-led program in Michigan that provides support for victims and survivors.
“Through steadfast advocacy, (King) has established herself as a central figure in the fight against exploitation. Leslie welcomes survivors with open arms, helping them to find safety, dignity and a renewed sense of purpose,” said Darius Quinn while presenting the award.
The Eugene Browning Medical Service Award went to the Grand Rapids African American Health Institute. The GRAAHI works to ensure that all patients have the best healthcare without racially motivated setbacks.
“GRAAHI established a dynamic pathways initiative that serves hundreds of students. Due to the generosity of donors each year GRAAHI awards over $50,000 in scholarships to aspiring healthcare professionals, helping to ensure a stronger and more inclusive workforce,” said Quinn while presenting the award.
Tyreece Guyton received the Ethel Coe Humanities Award for his engagement with the community through music as a minister of music at Messiah Baptist Church. Additionally, he mentors the youth through music by helping them foster their talents and build self-confidence.
“Affectionately known as the son of the community, (Guyton) creates a nurturing environment where everyone can rise together, building a brighter future for all,” said Cassonya Carter, who was joined by Vanessa Allen to present the award.
Marian Barrera-Young received the Walter Coe Public Service Award for her 40 years spent building relationships between the community and law enforcement. She has worked as a crime prevention coordinator, reducing crime through dialogue and cooperation.
“If there was a challenge in the community, we went to Marion. Marion would help us find an answer,” said Larry Johnson while presenting the award.
Jamon Alexander received the Raymond Tardy Community Service Award for his work as the President and CEO of the West Michigan Center for Arts and Technology. His drive and dedication come from the desire to create opportunities for others that he did not have growing up.
“(Alexander) is authentic, he’s committed to his beloved community and always invites others to be fully themselves and to rise with him,” said Joe Jones while presenting the award.
Denise Evans received the Phyllis Scott Activist Award for her work as a leader in health equity and social justice. She has worked at Spectrum Health Strong Beginnings to reduce infant mortality and low birth rates.
“(Evan’s) work laid the groundwork the lasting change in our community, and she exemplified the true power of standing up for what is right. And we know that many folks in America, the society and leadership, do not know how to stand up for what’s right, but she invited that,” said Vanessa Greene while presenting the award.
Three Grand Rapids Community College students were honored with Junior GIANT Scholarship at the start of the evening.
Sahara Tharbs-Hill received the Dr. Patricia Pulliam Leadership Scholarship. She is a full-time GRCC student who aspires to be an early childhood educator and volunteers at Feed the Hungry.
Keyandra Totten received the Milo M. Brown Memorial Scholarship. She is a first-generation student at GRCC and a single mother. Totten is pursuing a degree in dental hygiene.
Landon Wade also received the Milo M. Brown Memorial Scholarship. He is on a pre-theatre pathway at GRCC and his perseverance and drive for success have made him a top student in his class.
“I think this event really epitomizes what it needs to be a community college,” said GRCC Vice President of People, Culture and Equity, Nygil Likely. “To be able to help support and push forward leaders in the African-American community who have made significant contributions to the community, for GRCC to be a fiduciary and a sponsor, means us living into our responsibility as a community college to highlight and push forward the success of African-American leaders.”
On the first day of Black History Month, before the awards began, local poet and educator Ora O’Connell delivered a spoken word vignette.
“And contrary to what you’ve recently been told, things like ‘DEI is getting old’, and that ‘the oppressor is becoming more bold,’ hold your horses. It’s all just a ploy to get you to unfold, because it is understood that we are safe,” said O’Connell. “…I want to tell you that in time that we continue to tell the truth, that we have been given all that it takes to execute. In the face of all the naysayers, it does not matter what their intent. I’ve been wondering to myself this week, what if we were not brought over? What if we were sent?”
As diversity, equity and inclusion face scrutiny throughout the country, the importance of each one of those words rang loudly through DeVos Place during the Saturday celebration.
“I know diversity equity inclusion are ugly words to some at this point, (but) everyone in this room knows the importance behind each and every one of those words,” said emcee Jamal Spencer.
