Today was my last regular meeting at a member of the Michigan Civil Rights Commission, both as Chair and as a member. Barring having to call a special meeting, the following will be the last things I got to share with the Commission, the folks who work for the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, and the people of the State of Michigan.

Several months after we came out of COVID, on a Thursday afternoon, I took a call from my good friend Erin Knott. Despite our different political backgrounds, we were connected by a common sense of compassion for all Michiganders — especially those who are members of the LBGTQ community — hence our work together for Equality Michigan when I served on that Board. On that Thursday, she asked me if I would consider serving on the Civil Rights Commission. After asking her if she was crazy for thinking of me, I let her know that, if asked, I would consider serving. Less than five minutes later, the Governor’s appointments director called to confirm the crazy idea. In April ’21 I was honored to be sworn in by Commissioner Roberson.

Over the course of these last four years, I have been honored to be able to use my relationships and interactions with various members of the State Legislature to improve the perception they had of the Department and this Commission. Through crafting a response to the Auditor General’s report on our backlog of cases, to the implementation of the Director’s Proposal for Change, to surviving the latest push by some state leaders to make massive cuts that would seriously undermine our work to protect civil rights in the state, I am proud to have been here during some interesting times.

It’s hard to believe how fast time flies and that it has brought me to my final regular Commission meeting. I’ve shared this news with some of you already, but want to inform all of you that I have decided not to pursue reappointment for another term. 

I want to thank my friend Erin Knott for starting the push for this latest opportunity to cause some good trouble. I want to thank Governor Whitmer for her trust in me and for the honor of appointing me to the Commission. I wish to thank Director Johnson and his entire team for all your hard work and, more importantly, for your true dedication to carrying out the mission of the Commission. I especially want to thank General Counsel Lamont Satchel for walking us through several important projects and actions that we’ve needed to undertake to improve our operations. Thank you, Marcelina Trevino, Tony Lewis, Alfredo Hernandez, Kimberly Woolridge, and Abdel Aly for everything you’ve done to keep the Commission informed and to give us the best information we need to make decisions. I especially want to thank Harold Core, Vicki Livengood, Shawn Sanford, and Annie Urasky who have given me so much support during my time as Chair and making me look and sound way smarter and capable than I actually am.

Lastly, I want to thank all my fellow Commissioners, both past and present, for your willingness to not just serve but to truly lead the efforts to protect the vital rights of all the people who call Michigan their home.

Part of my message I gave to the folks at St. Thomas More Catholic parish earlier this month, like the message I shared at the MI Response 2 Hate Conference was the importance of being a light for others in a challenging world. We know the arc of history trends towards justice, albeit it’s not always a consistent line — but because of your courage to serve, to speak up, and to lead, the people who serve on this Commission and those who serve in the Department are those who will overcome any obstacle and will build a community of supporters and allies and will spread light on the pathway that people will follow to find a way to a future of peace and hope and love for all.

Thank you for the honor of serving as your Chair this year. And since I’m a graduate of Hackett Catholic Central and we are the Fighting Irish, let me leave you with an Irish blessing:

May the road rise to meet you.

May the wind be always at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face, 

The rains fall soft upon your fields and

Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

May God bless and keep you all and may God bless the state of Michigan.