On April 21st, we gathered virtually to celebrate 20 years of GRAAHI and the community that has supported and inspired us. It was wonderful to share in honoring our Hometown Heroes, Legacy and Equity award winners. And to hear about GRAAHI’s 20 year legacy of of championining health equity. Watch the video below, and join us at future events!
The Gala Program Booklet
Celebrating our Community
Watch the evening unfold as we honored our awardees, celebrated with music and dance and shared the struggles and joys of being in the healthcare space during a pandemic. What is evident is that we are stronger together. Thank you to our heroes, sponsors, host Dr. Bernice Patterson and the whole GRAAHI crew for this amazing evening of reflection and celebration.
Honoring Hometown Heroes
Not all heroes wear capes, some wear aprons, scrubs or uniforms. These past two years have been challenging for all of us, but especially challenging for those in healthcare and those on the frontlines of providing products and services we need.
These professionals have selflessly served their community and we can’t be more proud they are apart of our growing circle of CARE.
Learn about GRAAHI's Founders
Learn more abut the history of GRAAHI as our three primary founders share their stories. The Legacy Awards were presented to these three innovators for their visionary leadership and service to GRAAHI and the community to develop and organization with a mission to eliminate health disparities and improve health outcomes in the African American community.
Spotlighting Visionary Leaders
In addition to highlighting our front line heroes and celebrating the success and impact of GRAAHI over the past year, we will honor four women whose work has improved health equity for the African American community in West Michigan. Our Equity Champion Awards for 2022 go to:
– Tina Freese Decker, CEO of Spectrum Health
– Christina Keller, President/CEO of Cascade Engineering
– Wanda Lipscomb, PhD, Senior Associate Dean, Diversity and Inclusion and Associate Dean,
Student Affairs, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine
– Teresa Weatherall Neal, Former Superintendent of Grand Rapids Public Schools
In March we held a community roundtable with our champions to discuss equitable strategies to support the needs of employees during the pandemic. From healthcare, education and the private sector, our panelists will discuss how COVID has impacted their teams and our community, and how they’ve navigated the shifting landscape to ensure that new policies are equitable, safe and sustainable for all.
A Day of Celebration
A Commitment to Community
April 21st Declared GRAAHI Healthcare Advocacy Day
Mayor Rosalynn Bliss has declared Thursday, April 21, 2022 the first-ever “GRAAHI Healthcare Advocacy Day” in the city of Grand Rapids.
In the proclamation Mayor Bliss highlights GRAAHI’s advocacy work in the community and states, “the City of Grand Rapids is dedicated to eliminating healthcare inequity and supporting those organizations promoting healthcare equality.”
A Virtual Toast
Although we connected virtually, we were still able to share a wondeful evening of delicious food provided by Le Kabob, a fun swag bag sponsored by Mercantile Bank. Evening entertainment wowed us with Collective Voices, fronted by phenomenal vocalists, Ashlie Jones, Clarence Xavier Davis, Kirsten Pimpleton, and Millacie Jones. The Xpressions of Praise Dancers delighted us with an emotional homage to our heroes.
Thank you to our staff, volunteers and especially our sponsors, who not only supported us this evening, but walk along with use everyday in our mission of health parity.
Thank you to our sponsors!
We are blessed to partner with these amazing organizations that help support our mission of health equity.
