Community Statewide News

Flint residents among those chosen for governor’s Black Leadership Advisory Council

Pictured: (left to right) Theresa Roach of Flint and Christopher Burtley of Flint

On Thursday Nov. 12, Governor Gretchen Whitmer made appointments to the Black Leadership Advisory Council, which brings together a diverse group of Black Michiganders to serve in an advisory capacity to the governor and develop, review, and recommend policies and actions designed to prevent and eradicate discrimination and racial inequity in Michigan.

The Black Leadership Advisory Council is among a set of diverse ethnic commissions within the state of Michigan. Although African Americans are the largest racial minority in the state, this council is the first of its kind in Michigan to elevate Black leaders.

“With the creation of the Black Leadership Advisory Council, we are affirming a truth that Michigan has benefited from for generations: the leadership shown by Black Michiganders in all areas of life and work is critical to the vitality and prosperity of our state,” said Lt. Governor Gilchrist. “The Council affords the state’s largest racial minority group an empowered presence at the tables of policy and decision-making. These leaders’ diverse perspectives will be essential as we work to fight to against systemic inequalities experienced by far too many Michiganders. I am eager to work alongside them to create a Michigan that enables all Michiganders to pursue their fullest dreams and potential.”

“Listening to a diverse group of leaders and creating partnerships in our communities has been a priority for my administration since day one,” Whitmer said. “Since I was sworn in as governor, I have worked to ensure a diverse group of voices at the table, creating the most diverse cabinet this state has ever seen. (And) today, I am proud to appoint dedicated individuals from across the state to the Black Leadership Advisory Council. In order to confront systemic racism head on, we need members like those on this council to inform our work in state government. This group of leaders includes experts in economics, public policy, health, technology, the environment and more. I know that those on the council will continue to be a force for change in Michigan, and I am excited to
work closely with them to create a more equitable and just state for all.”

Michigan has emerged as a nationwide leader in reducing health disparities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Only 15% of Michiganders are African American, but in April, African Americans accounted for over 40% of COVID-19 cases and deaths. The Michigan Task Force on Racial Disparities, chaired by Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II, studied this issue and recommended actions to immediately address it and the historical and systemic inequities that underlie them. Now, thanks to their hard work, the state has seen significant progress: with Black residents accounting for 9.1% of cases and 5.7% of deaths as of early November.

The governor has appointed the following 16 individuals to represent Black leadership in various fields, including two Flint residents. The Flint residents are as follows:

Christopher Burtley, of Flint, is an associate attorney with Foley & Lardner LLP. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from Michigan State University’s James Madison College and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Michigan Law School. Burtley is appointed to represent Black leadership in law and a member between the ages of 18–35, for a term commencing November 12, 2020 and expiring December 31, 2021.

Theresa Roach, of Flint, is the program director of active communities for the Crim Fitness Foundation. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Central Michigan University and a Master of Arts in Communications & Digital Media Design from Saginaw Valley State University. Roach is appointed to represent Black leadership in health and wellness for a term commencing November 12, 2020 and expiring December 31, 2021.

Also appointed were James E. Atterberry Sr. of Benton Harbor; the founder and pastor at the Brotherhood of All Nations COGIC Church and a former Berrien County Commissioner, Donna L. Bell, Ph.D. of Southfield; the global director of technology and features strategy and planning at Ford Motor Company, Jerry L. Clayton Sr. of Ypsilanti; the Sheriff of Washtenaw County, Kelli A. Ellsworth Etchison of East Lansing; the chief marketing & diversity officer for LAFCU, Justin N. Onwenu of Detroit; an environmental justice organizer for Sierra Club, Kelsey Perdue of Grand Rapids; the project director of Kids Count in Michigan for the Michigan League of Public Policy and the director of storytelling and communications for the Urban Core Collective, Kathy Purnell, Ph.D. of Kalamazoo; a staff attorney with Justice for Our Neighbors-Michigan-a non-profit providing immigration legal services, Rochelle Riley of Detroit; the director of arts and culture for the city of Detroit and a former award-winning columnist for the Detroit Free Press, Joel Rutherford of Warren; the chair of the Official Democratic Black Caucus of Macomb County, Michele Samuels of Farmington Hills; the vice president, general auditor and compliance officer for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Seydi Sarr of Detroit; the founder of the African Bureau for Immigration and Social Affairs (ABISA), Michelle Sourie Robinson of West Bloomfield; the president and CEO of the Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council, Carl M. Williams of Saginaw; the vice president of the NAACP Saginaw Chapter and Robert Womack of Grand Rapids; a county commissioner in Kent County where he serves on the Finance and Physical Resources Committee.

Additionally, Rep. Brenda Carter, of Pontiac, will serve on the council as an honorary representative of the Michigan Legislative Black Caucus.

To assist the council in the performance of its duties, advisory committees will be formed specializing in select fields, including education, community safety, health and business.

Terrence D. Martin, of Detroit, is the president of the Detroit Federation of Teachers (DFT) and a former elementary teacher for Detroit Public Schools. Martin will serve as the chair of the Education Committee.

Teferi Brent, of Detroit, is co-chair of Dignity 4 Detroit, a coalition of community leaders created to address violence in Detroit. Brent will serve as chair of the Community Safety Committee.

Alexis Dye, of Muskegon, is the communications and development manager for Hackley Community Care. Dye will serve as chair of the Health Committee.

Karen Carter, of Midland, is the chief human resources officer and chief inclusion officer for Dow Chemical Company. Carter will serve as chair of the Business Leaders Committee.

The Black Leadership Advisory Council is housed in the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity and will act in an advisory capacity to the governor and develop, review and recommend policies and actions designed to eradicate and prevent discrimination and racial inequity in this state. The council will also work to identify state laws or gaps in state law that create or perpetuate inequities, collaborate to promote legislation and regulation that ensures equitable treatment of all Michiganders, serve as a resource for community groups and promote the cultural arts in the Black community.

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