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:

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.

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 5/10/2022: Black Leadership Advisory Council finalizes report to build a stronger, more inclusive Michigan

Press Release 4/26/2022: Governor Whitmer Appoints Advisory Council Members

BLAC 2022 Report to Gov. Whitmer

View all LEO News

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