Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II Receives Shirley Chisholm Award, Reflecting Commitment to Working Class Michiganders

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 25, 2025 

Contact: press@michigan.gov 

Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II Receives Shirley Chisholm Award, Reflecting Commitment to Working Class Michiganders

LANSING, Mich. – Today, Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist received the Shirley Chisholm Award from the National Congress of Black Women (NCBW). As Michigan’s first Black lieutenant governor, Lieutenant Governor Gilchrist follows in the footsteps of Shirley Chisholm, a trailblazing activist who dedicated her life to advancing women’s rights, civil rights, and more.

“Shirley Chisholm was a trailblazing leader who fought tirelessly for justice and stood tall for working Americans,” said Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. “She was the first Black woman to be elected to Congress and the first to run for a major party’s nomination for President. Her courage, conviction, and compassion are a legacy for us all to remember. As Michigan’s first Black lieutenant governor, I’m proud to follow in her footsteps and work every day to help more people stay and succeed in Michigan. Let us keep striving every day to build a better future for all.” 

Shirley Chisholm Award 

Shirley Chisholm was born in Brooklyn, New Yok in 1928. In 1968, she was elected as the first Black woman elected to the U.S. Congress. During her time representing New York’s 12th district, she served as a founding member of both the Congressional Black Caucus and the National Women's Political Caucus. In 1972, she decided to run for president, becoming the first African American to run for a major party's nomination for President of the United States. Throughout her career, Chisholm fought for justice and working-class American families, pioneering nutrition programs for low-income moms and kids. She leaves a lasting legacy for her no-nonsense approach to governance and signature slogan, “unbought and unbossed.” 

Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist espouses many of these values as the first Black lieutenant governor of Michigan. Trained as a software engineer, Lieutenant Governor Gilchrist was inspired by Shirley Chisholm and the legacy she left behind. He eventually quit his job at Microsoft and trained to be a community organizer, so he could follow in her footsteps. Eventually, he ran alongside Governor Gretchen Whitmer and was elected to the second highest office in the state of Michigan. Since taking office, Lieutenant Governor Gilchrist has championed criminal justice reform, affordable housing, internet connectivity, and more. The Shirley Chisholm Award is a reflection of his commitment to serving working Michiganders, ensuring they have the tools and support they need to work, live, and invest in our state. 

National Congress of Black Women 

NCBW was founded in 1984 by Shirley Chisholm and Dr. Dolores Tucker. The organization is dedicated to the educational, political, economic and cultural development of African American women and their families. Created to ensure Black women have a powerful voice in leadership and policy, NCBW continues its mission of preparing women for leadership roles at every level of government, business, and community service.   

The Metro Detroit Congress of Black Women 

The Metro Detroit Congress of Black Women proudly carries forward Congresswoman Chisholm’s mission. In her spirit, they remain dedicated to using our voices with clarity and conviction—working on behalf of families, communities, and country. The Metro Detroit Congress of Black Women are Unbought and Unbossed and are not backing down. 

Whitmer-Gilchrist Administration’s Commitment to Michiganders 

Since taking office, Governor Whitmer and Lieutenant Governor Gilchrist have been committed to fighting for Michiganders across the state, ensuring anyone can “make it in Michigan.” Together, we have: 

• Rolled back the retirement tax to save half a million households an average of $1000 a year 

• Quintupled the Working Families Tax Credit, putting a combined $3,150 back in 700,000 working families’ pockets. 

• Fixed, replaced, or repaired more than 24,500 lane miles of road and over 1,900 bridges, creating a smoother, safer, and cheaper drive for Michiganders up and down the state.

• Increased per-student funding by 26% since taking office—the highest ever in state history. 

• Fed more than 1.4 million public school students free breakfast and lunch, saving parents an average of $850 a year. 

• Expanded access to free pre-K and community college to every Michigander, saving students up to $35,000 over a lifetime. 

• Extended Healthy Michigan to over one million people. 

• Launched Operation Safe Neighborhoods, taking more than 850 illegal guns off of the streets and counting.  

• Replaced more than 11,000 lead pipes and improved drinking water for every Michigander.

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