On April 26, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced appointments to the following Boards and Commissions; Michigan Cherry Committee, Michigan Tree Fruit Commission, Black Leadership Advisory Council, Michigan Citizen-Community Emergency Response Coordinating Council, and the Chair of the Commission on Community Action and Economic Opportunity.
Among the appointments to the Black Leadership Advisory Council include the following local leaders:
Christopher Burtley, of Flint, an attorney with Barnes and Thornburg, 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. Mr. Burtley is reappointed to represent Black leadership in law as a member between the ages of 18 through 35 for a term commencing April 26, 2022, and expiring December 31, 2024.
Kevin T. Jones, of Saginaw, the founder of Blactiquing, a black art, and black history museum exhibit. He’s also a senior associate and lead ambassador and community evaluation for Morino Ventures. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Michigan, a Master of Education from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and a Master of Public Health from the University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Jones is appointed to represent Black leadership in arts and culture for a term commencing April 26, 2022, and expiring December 31, 2023. He succeeds Rochelle Riley.
The Black Leadership Advisory Council was created by Governor Whitmer’s Executive Order 2020-163 as an advisory body in the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. The Council acts in an advisory capacity to the governor and develops, reviews, and recommends policies and actions designed to eradicate and prevent discrimination and racial inequity in Michigan.
These appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.