Government Agencies and Programs
The Michigan Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission's vision is to be an exemplary commission by adding public value to the State of Michigan and the APA community, by fully engaging APAs across the state
The Commission strives to market the state's career development services to Michigan Hispanics, encourage initiatives to reduce the high school dropout rates of Hispanic youth, and facilitate efforts to increase the enrollment of Hispanics in postsecondary education and training programs
The Michigan Immigrant and Refugee Council passionately embraces diversity, recognizing and celebrating the profound strength immigrants and refugees bring to the vibrant tapestry of Michigan. The council is unwavering in its dedication to cultivating a warm, inclusive environment that extends a heartfelt welcome to individuals from diverse backgrounds who have chosen Michigan as their new home.
The Michigan LGBTQ+ Commission, stands as a beacon of advocacy, inclusion and celebration for Michigan's diverse LGBTQ+ community. The commission's charge is to ensure equal representation, amplify voices and foster a state where everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, feels affirmed and valued.
The 15-member council will advise the department on issues relating to the Arab and Chaldean communities in Michigan and promote awareness of their culture and history
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Chair
Ayesha Ghazi Edwin (she/hers), of Asian Indian descent, immigrated with her family to Ann Arbor, MI in 1988. She is an award-winning social justice and civil rights activist with over 20 years of experience working in a variety of public policy areas, including worker rights, immigration reform, healthcare, voting rights, and disability justice. Ghazi Edwin previously served as the Executive Director of the immigration rights and anti-discrimination organization, American Citizens for Justice, which was created by a trust provided by the family of Vincent Chin, a victim of a murder hate crime case that occurred in 1988 in Michigan, and served as a catalyst of the Asian American civil rights movement nationally. In 2020, Ghazi Edwin was appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer to serve as the first female, first South Asian, and youngest Chair of the Michigan Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission (MAPAAC) in its history.
In 2022, Ghazi Edwin was elected as one of the few Asian Americans to ever serve on Ann Arbor City Council - a city that has one of the largest populations of Asian Americans and immigrants in the state. Currently, Ghazi Edwin is an incoming Assistant Clinical Professor of policy, community organizing, and management in University of Michigan’s graduate School of Social Work. Ghazi Edwin received her Masters of Social Work from University of Michigan in 2010, and a Lean Six Sigma from University of Michigan’s School of Engineering in 2018. Besides working to advance equity, Ghazi Edwin loves to spend quality time with her husband and her two adorable sons.
