HOLLAND (WHTC-AM/FM) — Shandra Martinez, managing editor of The Lakeshore talks to WHTC each week about people and organizations making a difference along the Lakeshore. Here are some of the highlights of her conversation with morning news anchor Peg McNichol for the week of Feb. 19, 2021. (Listen to the full podcast.)
Lakeshore Advantage launches ‘certify your business’ video series. The series explains why diverse business owners should consider certification. Each Lakeshore Advantage video features a certification support provider.
CFHZ youth advisory committee gives $60,000 in grants to support racial equity. The Holland-Zeeland area teens say the grants will support several local organizations and their efforts to help create a more inclusive, equitable, and diverse community.
GRCC eyes fall opening for Lakeshore campus. Bringing a community college to Ottawa County expands options for students, educators say. GRCC’s location along commercially rich U.S. 31 is also a plus.
Building community through dance. Zeeland resident Heather Winia is dancing through life — and around the world — literally. She leads Groove classes regularly along the Lakeshore, providing a way for people to come together to have fun while getting fit.
GRCC Nursing students pass licensing exams on first try. It’s the second year in a row all GRCC grads passed the exam on the first attempt. A curriculum that increases interactive experiences is one reason for success.
Looking for ways to observe Black History Month?
Big Read with Kwame Alexander
NPR contributor and New York Times bestselling author Kwame Alexander will visit Hope College virtually during the college’s Light for the World to See: A Conversation with Kwame Alexander 2 p.m. on Feb. 26.
Alexander brings attention to African American experiences through his writing, which has been called “a rap session on race.”
His newest book is “Light for the World to See: A Thousand Words on Race and Hope.” His virtual visit to Hope College is hosted by NEA Big Read Lakeshore, Black Student Union, Center for Diversity and Inclusion, Jack Ridl Visiting Writers Series, and others. Register for the free virtual event at bigreadlakeshore.com/event/light-for-the-world-to-see-a-conversation-with-kwame-alexander/.
Momentum Center Town Hall series
“Racism and the Justice System” will kick off the Momentum Center’s three-part (Anti) Racism Town Hall discussion series. The virtual program will be 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 22. Panelists Rik Stevenson, University of Florida; Nathan Jones, Escape Ministries; and Timothy Steward, This is the Situation podcast, will discuss the history of mass incarceration and the school-to-prison pipeline. The second half of the event will include Q&A and Zoom breakout sessions (app required).
Register for the free virtual program at momentumcentergh.org/town-hall-racism?blm_aid=1527810.
Vaccines and the Black Community
The Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony virtual series Racial Disparities in Health Care — Digging Deeper will continue with “Exploring Vaccine Skepticism in the Black Community” from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on Feb 21.
Panelists will be three African American health care and science experts who will discuss the historical and current reasons Blacks may be hesitant to receive COVID-19 vaccines and who will provide reliable information, so people can make informed decisions about their health.
Dr. Gerald Griffin is a neuroscientist and virologist as well as a Hope College professor. ltheia Johnson is a recently retired MSN and registered nurse practitioner with more than 25 years of experience. Dr. Peter Knoester is a board-certified anesthesiologist with Spectrum Health. Viola Jackson-Cleveland will be the moderator.
“COVID-19 significantly affects Black communities, with a very high percentage of people who have died from this virus,” ACEH President C. J. Kingdom-Grier says. “At the same time, racial disparities in health care, a history of mistreatment during past clinical trials, and fear of the unknown have understandably left many Blacks hesitant to be vaccinated.”
Register for the free virtual program hosted by ACEH in partnership with the Holland Museum at harmonyalliance.org.
Learn more about these events at Celebrating Black History Month on the Lakeshore.
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