Veterans Of Now to honor nine community advocates in Flint

Veterans Of Now will recognize nine honorees across five new award categories on Nov. 7 in Flint during its sixth annual Veteran Motorcade and Business and Resource Expo. The awards spotlight the people who help veterans find resources, get heard and build community as the organization marks its 11th year of service.

Why it matters: - Veterans often rely on people behind the scenes to connect them with services, open doors and elevate their voices. - Veterans Of Now’s new awards formalize recognition for that kind of advocacy, mentorship and family support. - The honorees will be recognized during the organization’s sixth annual Veteran Motorcade and Business and Resource Expo in Flint.

What happened: - Veterans Of Now will honor nine people across five inaugural award categories on Nov. 7, 2026. - The recognition comes during Veterans Of Now’s 11th year of service and in America’s 250th anniversary year. - The event will include a joint honor for George and Carolyn Grundy. - Veterans Of Now created the awards in 2026.

The details: - The George Cooper Community Network Award goes posthumously to George Cooper, Veterans Of Now’s print and media director. - Cooper helped create nearly all of Veterans Of Now’s print and media and supported outreach to veterans and their families. - Cooper also researched information, located resources and connected veterans and community members with help. - Cooper’s work at Great Lakes Baptist Community Technology Center adds to a legacy of making information and technology more accessible. - Reggie Davidson will receive the George Cooper Community Network Award for sustained support throughout Veterans Of Now’s existence. - Davidson, a contract paralegal, helped the organization navigate challenges and stay informed. - Davidson also advocated for veterans’ voices at the tables he could access and kept the broader community informed. - Todd M. Beedy will also receive the George Cooper Community Network Award. - Beedy, a veteran who works with organizations, is being recognized for building relationships that support veterans and the broader community. - The Delores Johnson Voice of Veterans Award goes to Delores Johnson for bringing veterans’ stories and contributions into view through U.S. Military Hidden Figures Magazine. - The publication features veterans connected to Flint and Genesee County. - Renee Crosby Verbeke will also receive the Delores Johnson Voice of Veterans Award. - Verbeke created Strength and Numbers and the Mid Michigan Veterans Coalition. - The award recognizes her advocacy for veterans and emphasis on veterans’ voices in conversations about support and well-being. - Ciat Shabazz is the inaugural recipient of the Ciat Shabazz Developing Community Leaders Award. - Shabazz founded and leads HARRY Veterans Community Outreach Services in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. - Her recognition centers on leadership, advocacy for veterans and mentorship across generations. - Eric Patrick Thomas will receive the inaugural Eric Patrick Thomas Motivating Mentor Award. - Thomas has been a source of motivation and mentorship in Grundy’s journey with Veterans Of Now. - Thomas is known as Mr. Inspire and promotes opportunity through EZ Awareness By Design and the inspire® clothing brand. - Thomas’s work includes job experience opportunities for people of all abilities. - George and Carolyn Grundy will receive the George and Carolyn Grundy Foundation Faith and Fortitude Award jointly. - George and Carolyn Grundy are the parents of VON founder and CEO George F. Grundy II. - The award recognizes the foundation of faith and fortitude that helped shape Grundy’s commitment to veterans. - Grundy said, “They helped build Veterans Of Now by helping build me.” - Veterans Of Now connects veterans and families of all eras with community resources and opportunities to serve. - The organization was founded by George F. Grundy II. - More information about the Nov. 7 motorcade and expo is available at Veterans Of Now.

Between the lines: - The award structure points to a broad definition of veteran support, including media work, mentorship, coalition-building and family influence. - Naming awards after community figures turns the recognition into a tribute to the organization’s own network and history. - The inclusion of multiple recipients in some categories suggests Veterans Of Now is trying to spotlight a wider circle of contributors, not just individual leaders.

What's next: - Veterans Of Now will present the awards on Nov. 7 at its sixth annual motorcade and expo in Flint. - The event will serve as a public showcase for the organization’s mission and its expanding recognition program. - Veterans Of Now says it will continue connecting veterans and families with resources and opportunities to serve.

The bottom line: - Veterans Of Now is using its anniversary year to honor the people who make veteran support work possible, from media and mentorship to advocacy and family backing.