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    • Gov Lamont Statement West Virginia v EPA
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    • Gov Whitmer Fix Roads Eaton Houghton
    • Gov Whitmer Monthly Jobs Report July 2022
    • Gov Whitmer Signs 4th Balanced Budget
    • Gov Whitmer Fix Roads 13 Counties
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    • Task Force Juvenile Justice Reform
    • Gov Whitmer Signs 900th Bipartisan Bill
    • Gov Whitmer Renaming Highways Fallen Officers
    • Gov Whitmer Growing Maritime Economy
    • Gov Whitmer Appointments Commissions July 19
    • Gov Whitmer Michigan Parents Council
    • Gov Whitmer Signs Education Budget
    • Lt Gov Gilchrist 6 million Investment Students
    • Gov Whitmer Projects Grow Life Sciences
    • Gov Whitmer Bonuses Childcare Professionals
    • Gov Whitmer AmeriCorps Funding Strengthen Communities
    • Gov Whitmer Congress Lower Healthcare Costs
    • Gov Whitmer Growing MI Business Program
    • Gov Whitmer Women Reproductive Health Care
    • Gov Whitmer Food Legislation Boosting Economy
    • Gov Whitmer Expanding Water Infrastructure Funding
    • Gov Whitmer Appointments Commissions June 30
    • Gov Whitmer Fix Damn Roads Macomb
    • Gov Whitmer Joint Statement Budget Deal
    • Gov Whitmer Celebrates Passage Balanced Budget
    • Gov Whitmer Celebrates Bipartisan Budget
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    • Gov Whitmer Fix Roads Allegan
    • Gov Whitmer Helping Michigan Distilleries
    • Gov Whitmer Lowers Flags Victims Highland Park
    • Gov Whitmer MDHHS Launch Public Effort
    • Gov Whitmer Record Education Budget Investments
    • Gov Whitmer Fix Roads Berrien
    • Gov Whitmer Business Expansion Flint
    • Gov Whitmer Seeking Reproductive Health Care
    • Gov Whitmer Roundtable with Parents
    • Gov Whitmer Death Loren Courts
    • Lt Gov Gilchrist Thriving Seniors Tour
    • Gov Whitmer Bridge Projects Ingham
    • Gov Whitmer Immediate Consideration Abortion Lawsuit
    • Gov Whitmer HOLO Footwear Headquarters Grant Rapids
    • Gov Whitmer Lower Health Care Costs
    • Gov Whitmer Fix Roads Berrien
    • Gov Whitmer Motion Right to Abortion
    • Gov Whitmer Dobbs v Jackson
    • Gov Whitmer Infrastructure Grants 2 Businesses
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Governor Whitmer Signs Executive Directive Recognizing and Addressing Racism as a Public Health Crisis, Creates the Black Leadership Advisory Council 
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MDHHS also announced their Equity Impact Assessment Process

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​LASNING, Mich. -- Today Governor Gretchen took action to elevate Black voices in state government, signing Executive Order 2020-163, which creates the Black Leadership Advisory Council. The governor also signed Executive Directive 2020-9, recognizing racism as a public health crisis and taking initial steps to address it within state government. Under the Executive Directive, the governor asked MDHHS to make health equity a major goal, as well as required implicit bias training for all state employees.   
“Since I was sworn in as governor, I have made it a top priority to include more people of color, more women, and more members of the LGBTQ+ community at the table. We’ve been able to build a more inclusive state government, but there is more work to do. That’s why today, I am proud to create the Black Leadership Advisory Council of Michigan,” said Governor Whitmer. “We must confront systemic racism head on so we can create a more equitable and just Michigan. This is not about one party or person. I hope we can continue to work towards building a more inclusive and unbiased state that works for everyone.” 
The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed, confirmed, and highlighted the deadly nature of pre-existing inequities caused by systemic racism. For example, in cases where race and ethnicity is known, the rate of reported COVID-19 cases for Black/African American Michigan residents is 14,703 per 1,000,000, compared with 4,160 per 1,000,000 for white residents, more than three times higher. And the rate of reported COVID-19 deaths for Black/African American Michigan residents is 1,624 per 1,000,000 compared with 399 per 1,000,000 for White residents, more than four times higher. 
“These past several months have been difficult for all of us, but they have been especially tough for Black and Brown people who for generations have battled the harms caused by a system steeped in persistent inequalities. These are the same inequities that have motivated so many Americans of every background to confront the legacy of systemic racism that has been a stain on our state and nation from the beginning,” said Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. “That is why, today, we take the much-needed and long-overdue step of recognizing racism as a public health crisis. It is only after we have fully defined the injustice that we can begin to take steps to replace it with a greater system of justice that enables all Michiganders to pursue their fullest dreams and potential.” 
The Black Leadership Advisory Council will be included 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 and representatives. 
The Council 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 Michigan. To accomplish this goal, the Council is charged with:  
  • 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 in order 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. 
“During my time as a state legislator, it has struck me as odd that no ethnic commission existed for Michigan’s largest minority population in our state — the Black community. Working with a diverse group of people from across our diaspora, my colleagues and I last month introduced Senate Bill 1034 to create such a commission housed within the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, but it was sadly sent to the Senate Committee on Government Operations to languish,” Senator Erika Geiss said. “Governor Whitmer recognizes the importance of this issue as well and has taken executive action to create the Black Leadership Advisory Council, which I am proud to support. I look forward to seeing this commission come to fruition and ensuring its statutory status as with other ethnic commissions, so that our state can continue to tackle the issues that impact our Black brothers and sisters long into the future.” 
Housed within the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, the Black Leadership Advisory Council will consist of 16 voting members representing Black leadership in economics, public policy, health and wellness, technology, the environment, agriculture, arts and culture, and more. It will also product an annual report on its activities. 
"These actions outlined today by Governor Whitmer will have a transformative impact on our state. We are blessed to have a governor who is willing to hear us, march with us, and use her office to build a better, more equal world." Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley. 
The negative impacts of racism have put the lives of countless people of color at risk. To this day, racism perpetuates inequitable outcomes in the criminal justice system, achievement gaps in education, disproportionate results in health and infant mortality, and job and housing discrimination. Governor Whitmer joined the American Public Health Association, the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American College of Emergency Physicians in declaring institutional racism an urgent public health issue.  
Executive Directive 2020-9 directs MDHHS to work with other state departments to examine data, develop and plan policies, and engage, communicate and advocate for communities of color. The governor has directed that all state employees be required to take implicit bias training to understand the unconscious preferences we experience without intentional control and how it can impact others. The training is required for  existing employees and must be completed within 60 days for newly hired employees. 
“Implicit, unconscious bias exists within each of us, and as public servants we have a duty to understand how our bias can impact the lives of others,” said Governor Whitmer. “I am committed to leading by example and making sure state government is a model for equality, understanding, and fairness.”  
Under Executive Directive 2020-9, data documenting differences in health outcomes among racial and ethnic groups in Michigan must be collected, analyzed, and made publicly available to help leaders implement equitable policies. Additionally, departments must understand how racial disparities in societal, environmental, and behavioral factors intersect to affect access to resources like good jobs, access to healthy and affordable food and housing, equitable transportation options, and quality public education.  
The Michigan Coronavirus Task Force on Racial Disparities will work in partnership with departments to develop a plan that details how Michigan will eliminate the root causes of the inequities that cause disparities in health outcomes for our residents. 
MDHHS has introduced an Equity Impact Assessment (EIA) tool to help prevent implicit bias from affecting the policies and practices the department develops to serve the community. The EIA guides leaders to think through the full implications of their decisions on minority populations and is proven to decrease systematic disparities and inequities in marginalized populations.   
To apply to the Black Leadership Advisory Council visit Michigan.gov/appointments and click “Black Leaders Advisory Council” from the drop menu of the application. Applications are due by Wednesday, August 19th.  
Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.  
To view Executive Order 2020-163 and Executive Directive 2020-9, click the link below:  


  • ED 2020-9 Addressing Racism as a Public Health Crisis.pdf
  • EO 2020-163 Black Leadership Advisory Council.pdf
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  • Surreal ValeCity online media
  • August 16 2022 Edition
    • Musikfest Major Problems and Issues
    • Melody Cruz Musikfest 2022 Review
    • The Audio Files Musikfest 2022 review
    • Slingshot Dakota Musikfest 2022 Review
    • Bethlehem Mayor J William Reynolds Interview Request
    • Martin on Main Festival 2022
    • Passion Exhibit Gallery Arte Azulejo
    • Kickoff to Christmas Press Conference Bethlehem
    • Blues Brews and BBQ 2022
    • Elections 2022 >
      • Kelly for Alaska >
        • Tshibaka Time for a Change Constitutional Rights
        • Murkowski Continues Charade Pressing Haaland
        • Kelly Tshibaka Statement Planned Trump Rally
        • Tshibaka Statement Supreme Court Ruling Abortion
        • Tshibaka Blasts Gun Control Deal
        • Murkowski Embraces Gun Control Package
        • Murkowski Erode 2nd Amendment Rights
        • Tshibaka Endorsed by Harold Hamm
        • Jimmy Carter Lisa Murkowski Create Obstacles
        • Tshibaka Murkowski Gross Disregard Workers
        • Kelly Tshibaka Leaked Draft Supreme Court
    • Gov Ivey Launch Small Business Grant Program
    • Gov Ivey Progress Report Attainment Goal
    • Covid Influenza Update July 3 - 9
    • 988 Suicide Crisis Lifeline
    • DHSS Becomes DOH and DFCS
    • Covid Influenza Update June 19 - 25
    • Covid Influenza Update June 26-July 2
    • Covid Flu Update June 12 - June 18
    • Gov Hutchinson Addresses Latino Leaders
    • Gov Hutchinson Reacts Revenue Report
    • Gov Hutchinson Building a Culture of Reading
    • Governor Announces Appointment Bill Jones
    • Governor Lauds Roe Reversal
    • Gov Hutchinson Weekly Address Supporting Teachers
    • Gov Lamont Support Small Business Growth
    • Gov Lamont Addressing Motor Vehicle Theft
    • Gov Lamont Seven New Technology Programs
    • Gov Lamont Update Coronavirus Response July 14
    • Gov Lamont Enabling Crucial Federal Support
    • Gov Lamont Statement Resignation Secretary Merrill
    • Gov Lamont Children Free Admission Museum
    • Gov Lamont Gas Tax Holiday Extended
    • Gov Lamont Appoints Mark Kohler
    • Gov Lamont Appoints Joann Ryan
    • Gov Lamont Statement West Virginia v EPA
    • Gov Lamont Update Coronavirus Response June 30 2022
    • Gov Lamont Commission Plan 250th Anniversary
    • Gov Lamont ParkConneCT Program
    • Gov Lamont Covered Connecticut Expands
    • Gov Lamont Appoints Kimberly Martone
    • Gov Lamont Flags Lowered Shinzo Abe
    • Gov Lamont Flags Lowered Highland Park
    • Gov Lamont Launch ReEmployCT
    • Gov Lamont Update Coronavirus Response July 7
    • Gov Lamont Oasis Pro Markets Expansion
    • Gov Lamont Invite Businesses States Restricting
    • Gov Lamont Minimum Wage Increase
    • Gov Lamont Update Coronavirus Response June 24
    • Gov Lamont Statement Roe v Wade
    • Gov Lamont New Credit Card Fees Waived
    • Baker Polito Vendor Public Safety Radio System
    • Gov Baker Nominates Julie A Lowre
    • Gov Baker Appoint Jordan M Maynard
    • Baker Polito Increases Visibility Executive Branch
    • Gov Baker Nominates Jason Yu-Ting Chan
    • Senior Advocacy Groups Urge Tax Cuts
    • Gov Baker Protect Reproductive Health Care
    • Baker Polito Further Improvement Supply Delivery
    • Baker Polito Supreme Court Gun Ruling
    • Gov Whitmer Appointments to Bench July 12
    • Time Names Detroit Greatest Places 2022
    • Gov Whitmer Budget Investments Public Safety
    • Gov Whitmer Refusing to Extradite Women
    • Gov Whitmer Disaster Declaration Ostego County
    • Gov Whitmer Fix Roads Eaton Houghton
    • Gov Whitmer Monthly Jobs Report July 2022
    • Gov Whitmer Signs 4th Balanced Budget
    • Gov Whitmer Fix Roads 13 Counties
    • Gov Whitmer Clean Water Grants Six Communities
    • Task Force Juvenile Justice Reform
    • Gov Whitmer Signs 900th Bipartisan Bill
    • Gov Whitmer Renaming Highways Fallen Officers
    • Gov Whitmer Growing Maritime Economy
    • Gov Whitmer Appointments Commissions July 19
    • Gov Whitmer Michigan Parents Council
    • Gov Whitmer Signs Education Budget
    • Lt Gov Gilchrist 6 million Investment Students
    • Gov Whitmer Projects Grow Life Sciences
    • Gov Whitmer Bonuses Childcare Professionals
    • Gov Whitmer AmeriCorps Funding Strengthen Communities
    • Gov Whitmer Congress Lower Healthcare Costs
    • Gov Whitmer Growing MI Business Program
    • Gov Whitmer Women Reproductive Health Care
    • Gov Whitmer Food Legislation Boosting Economy
    • Gov Whitmer Expanding Water Infrastructure Funding
    • Gov Whitmer Appointments Commissions June 30
    • Gov Whitmer Fix Damn Roads Macomb
    • Gov Whitmer Joint Statement Budget Deal
    • Gov Whitmer Celebrates Passage Balanced Budget
    • Gov Whitmer Celebrates Bipartisan Budget
    • Gov Whitmer Investments Connected Communities
    • Gov Whitmer Fix Roads Allegan
    • Gov Whitmer Helping Michigan Distilleries
    • Gov Whitmer Lowers Flags Victims Highland Park
    • Gov Whitmer MDHHS Launch Public Effort
    • Gov Whitmer Record Education Budget Investments
    • Gov Whitmer Fix Roads Berrien
    • Gov Whitmer Business Expansion Flint
    • Gov Whitmer Seeking Reproductive Health Care
    • Gov Whitmer Roundtable with Parents
    • Gov Whitmer Death Loren Courts
    • Lt Gov Gilchrist Thriving Seniors Tour
    • Gov Whitmer Bridge Projects Ingham
    • Gov Whitmer Immediate Consideration Abortion Lawsuit
    • Gov Whitmer HOLO Footwear Headquarters Grant Rapids
    • Gov Whitmer Lower Health Care Costs
    • Gov Whitmer Fix Roads Berrien
    • Gov Whitmer Motion Right to Abortion
    • Gov Whitmer Dobbs v Jackson
    • Gov Whitmer Infrastructure Grants 2 Businesses
    • Gov Parson Embark Trade Mission Germany
    • Gov Parson 988 Suicide Crisis Line
    • Gov Parson Signs HB 1878
    • Gov Parson Signs HB 2116
    • Gov Parson State Operating Budget Bills
    • Gov Parson Signs Eight Bills July 1
    • Gov Parson Issues Legislative Vetoes
    • Gov Parson 5 Appointments July 8
    • Gov Parson Three Judicial Appointments July 8
    • Gov Parson 9 Pardons June 2022
    • Gov Parson Increasing Kansas City Police Budget
    • Gov Parson End Elective Abortions
    • Vaccination Data Newly Eligible Population >
      • Gov Sisolak 2022 State of State Address
      • Reno Center Open Support Child Care Providers
      • Gov Sisolak Launches Nevada Climate Series
      • Gov Sisolak Strengthening Reproductive Health Care
      • Helmsley Charitable Trust Brings Virtual Crisis Care
      • Gov Sisolak Calling on Congress
      • First Lady Kathy Sisolak Gives Keynote Address
      • Gov Sisolak Flags Half Staff Abe Shinzo
      • Gov Sisolak Flags Half Staff Highland Park
      • Susan Brown Retiring Governor Finance Office
      • Gov Sisolak Appointments June 2022
      • Gov Sisolak Statement Sandra Douglass Morgan
      • Gov Sisolak Launches Child Care Fund
      • Governor First Lady Tour STEP2
    • Gov Sisolak Appoints Maria Gall
    • Extreme Heat Centralizes Available Resources
    • Gov Sisolak Joins Reproductive Rights Activists
    • Summer's Here College Settlement Camp Open
    • See Me Roots Open Call Submissions
    • SeeMe Passion Grand Prize Winner
    • Meet Esteban Toro First Judge Roots
    • Roots Strength Beneath the Surface
    • Roots Reflections of Total Selves
    • Roots Open Call Judge Iliana Hoyos
  • Supporting ALL Law Enforcement
  • Thanks to the sponsors
  • Staff and Contact Information
  • Archive 2022
    • Arts
    • Dining Out
    • Editorials
    • Events
    • Festivals
  • Archives 2021
    • Community >
      • Feeding the Homeless Philadelphia
  • Archives 2020
  • Archives 2016 - 2019
  • A Valley and Beyond