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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.
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:
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
Dr. Donna L. Bell, Southfield
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
Advisory Council Members
Donna L. Bell, Ph.D., Southfield
Robert Womack, Kent
Christopher Burtley, Flint
Jerry L. Clayton, Sr., Ypsilanti
Kelli A. Ellsworth Etchison, East Lansing
Kevin T. Jones, Saginaw
Bryan Lewis, Southfield
Latrice M. McClendon, Detroit
Kelsey Perdue, Grand Rapids
Kathy Purnell, Ph.D., Kalamazoo
Michelle Sourie Robinson, West Bloomfield
Joel Rutherford, Warren
Michele Samuels, Farmington Hills
Seydi Sarr, Detroit
Deirdre Wells, Pontiac
Nathaniel Wells, Berrien
Carl M. Williams, Saginaw
Kim Trent, Designee of the Director of LEO
Updates
Governor Whitmer Advisory Council Members Appointments
Press Release 4/26/2022: Governor Whitmer Appoints Advisory Council Members