The 2021 West Michigan Woman People's Choice Brilliance Award
Voting is now open! The West Michigan Woman Brilliance Awards is entering its 5th year of celebrating the unique talents of women and men in our community. For the third year, the public will select one honoree from the finalists for the People's Choice Brilliance Award. The winner will be announced on August 31, 2021 at the West Michigan Woman Brilliance Awards where they will receive their award and recognition.
• To vote, please provide your first and last name and email address • You may only vote one time for one person • Voting opens June 1, 2021 and closes at 5pm on June 25, 2021
!All finalists, along with snippets from their bios, have been placed in alphabetical order below. Enjoy learning about each of them and thank you for voting!
Owner Stir it Up (Bakery) Brilliant Social Change Agent
Zoe Bruyn is the Founder and Owner of Stir It Up, a bakery with the mission of empowering and providing employment to individuals with disabilities. Zoe started Stir It Up at 20 years old, out of her parent’s residential kitchen, and at the time, she had no culinary experience, only a passion and her “why.” 75% of individuals with intellectual and development disabilities are unemployed despite their ability, desire and willingness to work. It is Zoe’s hope that the work of Stir It Up stirs up the preconceived notions of employment for those with disabilities.
Director of Marketing & Operations Green Giftz Brilliant Emerging Leader
Be bold. Speak out. Listen. These are the three mantras of Kelly Brown, Director of Marketing & Operation of Green Giftz. In her position, Kelly oversees highly custom, branded merchandise projects from creation and quoting to delivery. When Kelly isn’t at Green Giftz, you can find her hosting CreativeMornings Grand Rapids, sitting on the Monroe North Business Association board as Marketing Chair and Secretary, instructing a fitness class, or coaching Rockford’s competitive cheer team. Kelly is everywhere, but regardless of where you find her, her goal as a leader is always the same: Support the team.
Co-owner GRNoir Wine & Jazz Brilliant Best Supporting Man
Shatawn Brigham is the co-founder of Brigham Consulting LLC, a national consulting firm that advances diversity, racial equity and inclusion, moving leaders, organizations, and companies from conversation to agency in service of systemic, transformational change. Shatawn is also the co-founder of GRNoir Wine & Jazz, Grand Rapids’ first Black-owned wine and jazz spot. Both of these endeavors represent a transition for Shatawn, as he has spent the majority of his career supporting students, families and school leaders in eliminating barriers to education resulting from socioeconomic, structural racism and behavioral health. Shatawn is supported by his wife, Nadia, partnering with her in life, parenthood and business.
Executive Director Grace's Table Brilliant Woman of the Year
Lisa Anderson founded Grace’s Table in 2014 with a calling to walk alongside teen moms, moving them from isolation to community. Through one-on-one and group mentoring, she works with young mothers to establish stability, achieve educational milestones, learn parenting skills and explore spirituality. Her passion to see teen moms achieve, sustain and reach their full potential is derived from her own journey as a teen mom and years of mentoring youth. During the pandemic, Grace's Table saw a 230% increase in families served, and through it all, Lisa continued her work, striving to create equity for women and children by educating, empowering and providing resources to help them thrive.
Owner Adolescent & Family Behavioral Health Services Brilliant Woman of the Year
Valencia Agnew's work is based upon a lifelong belief in the unique potential within each and every person to live life versus simply existing. It is this belief that drives her continued education and commitment to excellence as she diagnoses and treats mental illnesses and performs psychological evaluations. Valencia founded Adolescent & Family Behavioral Health Services 9 years ago, a practice that has grown from 1 therapist to 12. She is an expert in the areas of borderline personality, self-injury, and trauma, as well as adolescent, family and couple's therapy. Recognized by the education, legal and healthcare communities as a leading provider of group and counseling services, Valencia is a therapist who offers hope.
Voting is now open! The West Michigan Woman Brilliance Awards is entering its 5th year of celebrating the unique talents of women and men in our community. For the third year, the public will select one honoree from the finalists for the People's Choice Brilliance Award. The winner will be announced on August 31, 2021 at the West Michigan Woman Brilliance Awards where they will receive their award and recognition.
