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Dr. MaLinda Sapp celebrated with commemorative street sign Sunday

Dr. MaLinda Sapp
Dr. MaLinda Sapp

The community leader will be honored this weekend in a ceremony to unveil a street designation in Grand Rapids, celebrating her life and legacy

An educator, counselor, faith leader and community advocate, Dr. MaLinda Sapp is remembered as a powerful leader.

With her husband gospel artist Marvin Sapp, she co-founded Lighthouse Full Life Center where Bishop Designate RJ Marshall currently leads.

“She most importantly was a servant leader and through her acts of service, not just to the community but more so to the world, she was able to leave an indelible impression.”

Dr. Sapp was the founding principal of the Grand Rapids Ellington Academy for Arts and Technology, a K–12 program, and taught psychology at Grand Rapids Community College.

She died of cancer in 2010 at age 43.

Pastor Marshall says the extension of her legacy shows through the lives of people she's touched.

“One of her most notable sayings was ‘keep it moving’ In life there are challenges that many of us incur, but even as she was going through the different things and challenges of her health, she just kept saying to keep it moving, which is the press pass through those particular moments in life: to know that there's greater on the other side and so here we are today to be able to celebrate a woman who kept it moving.”

The sign for “Dr. MaLinda Sapp Way” will stand at the intersection of Madison Avenue and Alger Street SE, pointing to the church.

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