Grand Rapids Area Black Businesses producing awards event

Grand Rapids Area Black Businesses producing awards event

Jamiel Robinson, right, founder and CEO of GRABB, is shown with James Price, last year's Marcus Garvey Legacy Honoree. Photo via fb.com

An African-American-focused economic development organization will toast black businesses and community leaders at an awards reception.

Grand Rapids Area Black Businesses, or GRABB, will present its annual GRABB Awards Reception & Black Market from 6-9 p.m., Nov. 15, at CityFlatsHotel, 83 Monroe Center St. NW, in downtown Grand Rapids.

The awards program was created “to recognize, reward and celebrate black businesses, community leaders and community organizations” that work to “make a difference in the greater Grand Rapids community,” according to GRABB.

It is held in conjunction with the Black Market, a shopping opportunity in which attendees can buy goods on display from local black-owned businesses.

Nominations for the awards are open online until Oct. 11 in the following categories:

Young, Black & Gifted Award: For a leader under 30 whose leadership promotes economic and/or social change in the community

Emerging Black Business Award: For a black-owned business that embodies GRABB’s core values of “stellar customer service, great products/services and community-oriented” and has been in operation for one to five years

Harlem Renaissance Culture Architect Award: For an individual, group or organization that has built and influenced the local cultural, social and artistic scene

The Black Bottom Community Builder Award: For a community leader, group or organization that works tirelessly, passionately and collectively to build up the community

NC Mutual Life Insurance Co. Collaboration Award: For businesses, organizations and initiatives that exemplify collaboration through “innovative relationships and practices” and “alliances that achieved exceptional results”

Marcus Garvey Legacy Honoree: For an entrepreneurial leader who is a “standard bearer” for black businesses in the community and has been operating a business for more than 10 years