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