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Labor and Economic Opportunity

Black Leadership Advisory Council

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Black Leadership Advisory Council

  • The Black Leadership Advisory Council (BLAC) has been charged with identifying barriers in the Black community in education, community safety, health, and business leadership. BLAC will act in an advisory capacity to the governor to develop, review and recommend policies and actions designed to eradicate and prevent discrimination and racial inequity in Michigan.

    "The Council has four committees focused on improvements in education, business opportunity, health equity, and public safety for all communities. The Council's goal is to make a better Michigan by recommending policies and changes in the law to eradicate and prevent discrimination and racial inequity." - Rochelle Riley, Co-Chair

     

Content

Our Vision

  • There are over 1.4 Million Black Michiganders, and the state recognizes gaps and barriers that affect the Black community. BLAC is charged with accomplishing several goals to help eliminate racial inequities in Michigan:

    • Identifying state laws, or gaps in state law, that create or perpetuate inequities, with the goal of promoting economic growth and wealth equity for the Black community.
    • Collaborating with the governor's office and the Black community to promote legislation and regulation that ensures equitable treatment of all Michiganders and seeks to remedy structural inequities in this state.
    • Serving as a resource for community groups on issues, programs, sources of funding, and compliance requirements within state government to benefit and advance the interests of the Black community. 
    • Promoting the cultural arts within the Black community through coordinated efforts, advocacy, and collaboration with state government. 
    • Providing other information or advice or taking other actions as requested by the governor.

Chairs

Advisory Council Chairs

  • The BLAC represents individuals from various backgrounds in economics, law, public safety, health and wellness, arts and culture, and media to guide the governor in critical issues affecting the Black community.

    Council Co-Chairs

    Rochelle Riley, Detroit

    Robert Womack, Grand Rapids

    Committee Chairs

    Business Leaders Committee: Ms. Karen Carter, Midland

    Community Safety Committee: Mr. Teferi Brent, Detroit

    Education Committee: Mr. Terrence D. Martin, Detroit

    Health Committee: Ms. Alexis Sims Dye, Muskegon

  • Governor Whitmer Advisory Council Members Appointments

Advisory Council Members

  • James E. Atterberry, Sr., Benton Harbor
    Donna L. Bell, Ph.D., Southfield
    Christopher Burtley, Flint
    Jerry L. Clayton, Sr., Ypsilanti
    Kelli A. Ellsworth Etchison, East Lansing
    Justin N. Onwenu, Detroit
    Kelsey Perdue, Grand Rapids
    Kathy Purnell, Ph.D., Kalamazoo
    Theresa Roach, Flint
    Michelle Sourie Robinson, West Bloomfield
    Joel Rutherford, Warren
    Michele Samuels, Farmington Hills
    Seydi Sarr, Detroit
    Carl M. Williams, Saginaw
    Kim Trent, Designee of the Director of LEO  

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