Feburary 16, 2007

LANSING - In her weekly radio address, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today celebrated Black History Month by highlighting some of the great African American figures in Michigan history, and pointing to diversity as a key to success in the global marketplace.
 
"As much as diversity defines our past, it also defines our future," Granholm said.  "If we fully embrace the mosaic that is Michigan, our diversity will help fuel our economic transformation."

Granholm highlighted notable African Americans with ties to the state who have had a particular impact on Michigan and the world, including inventor and engineer Elijah McCoy, abolition leader Sojourner Truth, civil rights champion Rosa Parks, and athletes Joe Lewis, Sugar Ray Robinson and Magic Johnson.

The governor noted that Michigan is the state where Malcolm X grew up, and Detroit is where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. first delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech.   Civil rights leader John Conyers Jr., who has represented Michigan in the United States Congress for more than 40 years, was instrumental in establishing a national holiday in honor of Dr. King.

While Michigan celebrates these African American leaders and so many more who have shaped our state, Granholm underscored the importance of continuing to embrace diversity.

"As we face economic challenges, we have to remember that we are all in this state together," Granholm said.  "We did not arrive here in the same way, we didn't arrive here at the same time, but we are all headed toward the same destination - we are One Michigan."

The governor's weekly radio address is released each Friday morning and may be heard on broadcast stations across the state through an affiliation with the Michigan Association of Broadcasters.  The address will also be available on the Governor's Web site on Mondays as a podcast for general distribution to personal MP3 players and home computers. 

Broadcasters Note: Governor Granholm's radio address can be accessed through Sunday evening exclusively through the Members Only page of the Michigan Association of Broadcasters Web site. 

Publishers Note: The text of today's address is attached.