Griot of Grand Rapids
Griot of Grand Rapids
An evening to launch Professor Croom's non-profit, The Griot of Grand Rapids, and celebrate civic leadership, youth empowerment, and the legacy of change-making in Grand Rapids.
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Professor Gertrude G. Croom, Founder & CEO
“The Ancestors have spoken and I have answered the call.”
Professor Gertrude G. Croom · The Griot of Grand Rapids
Watch the full story from WZZM13.
The Grand Rapids Rising event brings our community together in celebration of civic leadership, youth empowerment, and the legacy of change-making in Grand Rapids. Join us for a special evening honoring Professor Gertrude Croom and the launch of her non-profit, The Griot of Grand Rapids — honoring the past, present, and future work in voter education, youth trades pathways, and grassroots leadership.
Voter registration in action, and Professor Croom with her Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority sisters — The Griot of Grand Rapids community work.
Decades before founding The Griot of Grand Rapids, a young Professor Croom was already in front of a classroom — teaching, organizing, and building the voice that would carry the movement forward.
Rodney Brown brings both deep local leadership and a personal history with this movement to the mic as emcee for Grand Rapids Rising. He currently serves as Principal of the Grand Rapids Learning Center at Grand Rapids Community College. Long before that, Rodney and Professor Croom worked side by side in GRCC's Political Science department in the late 1990s, in the years leading up to her retirement — a friendship and partnership that continues to this day.
Professor Croom carries the living history of the civil rights movement to churches, universities, and civic stages across the country — connecting that history to the urgency of today.
The Griot leads voter registration and civic education efforts, turning the lessons of the movement into active participation ahead of the next election cycles.
A pipeline program, built with Grand Rapids Community College, that connects Grand Rapids youth to mentorship, tutoring, and a pathway into recognized careers in the skilled trades.
Save your seat for a night of celebration, support, and renewed community power. Buy a ticket, add a donation to your ticket, or give without attending — it's your choice below.
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