Grants receive top Urban League award

George Grant, Jr., dean of the College of Community and Public Service, and Beverly Grant, interim executive director of the Johnson Center for Philanthropy, were selected by the Grand Rapids Urban League as the recipients of its highest honor, the 2015 Drum Major Award.

The award is in recognition of a speech made by Martin Luther King, Jr., who said: “Yes, if you want to say that I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice. Say that I was a drum major for peace. I was a drum major for righteousness. And all of the other shallow things will not matter.”

George and Beverly have been married for 20 years and are both very active in the community, serving on various boards and committees.

King recognized the importance of the “drum major instinct” that drives people to lead, and that those who serve others and put justice before gain are the greatest leaders.