LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced the following appointments to the Idlewild Centennial Commission: 

Elizabeth Atkins of Detroit, journalist, public speaker, and bestselling author of White Chocolate, Dark Secret, and Twilight, is appointed to represent residents of this state for a term expiring December 31, 2008. 

Carol Boles of Idlewild, president of Mid-Michigan Idlewilders, Inc. and retired General Motors/AC Delco employee, is appointed to represent the Idlewild community for a term expiring December 31, 2011. 

Donel Brown of Idlewild, Yates Township supervisor and partner in the Idlewild, Michigan Transformation Initiative, is appointed to represent the Idlewild community for a term expiring December 31, 2010. 

Ruth Burton of Lansing, past president of the Idlewild Lake Association, is appointed to represent residents of this state for a term expiring December 31, 2008. 

Phillip Clay of Idlewild, creator of The Pride, Idlewild's first monthly e-newsletter, is appointed to represent the Idlewild community for a term expiring December 31, 2009. 

Carlean Gill of Saginaw, former CEO of Saginaw Beauty Academy, professional model and one of the original Braggs Fiesta Dolls in the Arthur Braggs' 1960 Idlewild Revue, is appointed to represent residents of this state for a term expiring December 31, 2009. 
 
Mildred Kyles of Idlewild, planning member of the Detroit Tri-Centennial Committee/Detroit 300 Family Reunion Project and member of Positive Image, an Idlewild community action organization, is appointed to represent the Idlewild community for a term expiring December 31, 2008. 

John O. Meeks of Idlewild, president of the Idlewild African-American Chamber of Commerce, former owner of Morton's Motel in Idlewild, and partner in the Idlewild, Michigan Transformation Initiative, is appointed to represent the Idlewild community for a term expiring December 31, 2008. 

Timothy Pharaoh Muhammad of Detroit, executive director of ‘Bout Time Publishing and founder and organizer of Idlewild's Poetry in the Woods, is appointed to represent residents of this state for a term expiring December 31, 2009. 

Michael C. Murphy of Lansing, senior pastor of St. Stephens Community Church, United Church of Christ, partner in the Idlewild, Michigan Transformation Initiative, former 68th district state representative, and former chair of the Michigan Legislative Black Caucus, is appointed to represent residents of this state for a term expiring December 31, 2009. 

Milan "Budde" Reed of Ludington, owner and president of Ludington Beverage Company, Inc., chairman of the city of Ludington building authority, and member of the board of directors of West Shore Bank, is appointed to represent residents of this state for a term expiring December 31, 2008. 
 
Gloria Stephens Smith of East Lansing, professor emeritus of the Michigan State University College of Education and national president of the Association of Multicultural Counseling and Development, is appointed to represent residents of this state for a term expiring December 31, 2011. 

Deborah Smith-Olson of Baldwin, chairman and CEO of Lake-Osceola State Bank and chair of the Lake County Enterprise Community Board, is appointed to represent residents of this state for a term expiring December 31, 2009. 

George Walker Jr. of Idlewild, president of Positive Image, an Idlewild community action organization, and partner in the Idlewild, Michigan Transformation Initiative, is appointed to represent the Idlewild community for a term expiring December 31, 2010. 

Jewel Ware of Detroit, chairwoman of the Wayne County Commission and partner in the Idlewild, Michigan Transformation Initiative, is appointed to represent residents of this state for a term expiring December 31, 2011. 

Mabel R. Williams of Idlewild, founder and member of the Lake County Community Foundation, Idlewild community activist, and widow of internationally renowned human rights and NAACP activist Robert F. Williams, is appointed to represent the Idlewild community for a term expiring December 31, 2010. 

Ms. Patricia Williams of Idlewild, owner and operator of Williams Court, a cottage rental company, is appointed to represent the Idlewild community for a term expiring December 31, 2011. 

Benjamin C. Wilson, Ph.D. of Kalamazoo, retired professor of Black Americana Studies at Western Michigan University, and co-author of Black Eden: The Idlewild Community, is appointed to represent residents of this state for a term expiring December 31, 2010. 

The Idlewild Centennial Commission was established within the Department of History, Arts and Libraries by Executive Order 2007-50 to coordinate activities commemorating the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Idlewild resort community in Lake County.  Founded in 1912, Idlewild represented freedom for many African Americans, being one of more than 30 resorts in the country where African Americans were permitted to vacation and purchase property before such discrimination became illegal in 1964.  Commonly known as "Black Eden," Idlewild was an active, year-round community through the mid-1960s frequented by well-known entertainers and professionals from throughout the country.  

Late last year, Granholm established the Idlewild, Michigan Transformation Initiative to leverage the community's unique strengths so it can attract new investment and economic growth.  The initiative is being supported by $93,875 in combined federal and state grants.  In November, Governor Granholm issued a request for proposals to develop an economic development action strategy for Idlewild that will help continue the revitalization and preservation efforts currently underway as part of the initiative.

These appointments are not subject to disapproval by the Michigan Senate.

#  #  #