GVSU receives grant for film documentary

The Michigan Humanities Council will be joined by district assistants to U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, and U.S. Sen. Carl Levin to announce a significant grant award to Grand Valley State University at the MAREC Building, 200 Viridian Dr., Muskegon, on Thursday, February 14. A reception will begin at 4:30 p.m. The grant award presentation will begin at 5:30 p.m.  

The documentary film, which is part of the Library of Congress Veterans History Project, will explore the struggles of people from the South who came to Muskegon for industrial jobs related to WWII. “The Bottoms” is a low-lying area near Jackson Hill where many migratory African Americans settled, often starting small businesses to support themselves and service their growing community. 

Project participants from Grand Valley and the Michigan Humanities Council will be available for comment at the event. The public and the media are invited to attend the presentation and reception. A photo opportunity, press kit, and question/answer session will be available at the presentation.   

For more information about the grant award announcement and other information about the event, contact either Mary Pirkola at Grand Valley State University or Scott Hirko at the Michigan Humanities Council.