On Saturday, March 16, 2024, the Michigan Civil Rights Commission and Michigan Department of Civil Rights held a hearing on fair housing in Flint. Housed in the Mott Community College Event Center, the occasion provided an opportunity to hear directly from area residents regarding their housing-related concerns. 

In addition to in-person statements, several residents submitted written testimony to be included in the record of the event. Attending residents shared concerns such as accessible design refusals, zoning for family housing vs apartments, and the damage to area homes caused by the events of the water crisis. 

The full video of the testimony will be uploaded to the MDCR Youtube page @micivilrights. Testimony may also be submitted to MCRC-Comments@michigan.gov until April 30, 2024.

(Image is a photo taken during the event. Left to right: Commission Chair Gloria Lara, Commissioner Luke Londo, and MDCR Executive Director John E. Johnson, Jr., listen to testimony from Steve Shelton from Legal Services of Eastern Michigan.)

When: April 28, 2024, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Where: Center for Community Transformation at 1530 Madison Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49507

Download the Grand Rapids fair housing flyer

Please note: If you know you want to speak, register to testify in Grand Rapids. Registration is only necessary if you intend to provide testimony.

(Image is a drawing of a microphone with buildings in the background and the MCRC 60th Anniversary logo. Text is "Grand Rapids Fair Housing Hearing.")

On March 28, 2024, MDCR presents The Crown Act Expands Racial Discrimination Protections. This virtual session clarifies the changes in the law to protect people from discrimination based on texture of hair or protective hairstyles.

Whether you want to protect yourself or understand the responsibilities under the new law, this is the place to start!

When: March 28, 2024

Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Location: Virtual

Registration is free, but necessary to attend.

(Image is a flyer featuring an African American woman wearing a natural hairstyle.)

By Jerome Reide, J.D., Ph.D.,

MDCR Legislative Liaison

Each month, Jerome Reide, J.D., Ph.D., Legislative Liaison for the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, will bring you updates and analysis of what's happening in the Michigan legislature -- news of legislation, executive orders and ballot initiatives that relate directly to the MDCR mission and impact the people we serve.

(Image is the Michigan Capitol)

MDCR at House Ethics and Oversight Committee to Discuss OAG Audit Requested by MDCR

On Feb. 29, 2024, Commission Chair Gloria Lara, Executive Director John E. Johnson, Jr., Deputy Director Kim Woolridge, and Director of Enforcement Marcelina Trevino addressed the Michigan House Ethics and Oversight Committee at a hearing on the OAG audit of MDCR requested by the department last year.

Commission Chair Gloria Lara began the presentation with remarks on the importance of the audit and of Director Johnson's decision to request it. "Director Johnson was able to work with department leaders to devise and implement specific strategies to make the course corrections necessary to ensure we are providing effective and timely service to the people of the state of Michigan. It was the responsible thing to do, and the right thing to do." 

Michigan House Ethics and Oversight

(Image is a screen capture of MCRC/MDCR leadership addressing the House Ethics and Oversight Committee. Left to right: Director of Enforcement Marcelina Trevino, Deputy Director Kim Woolridge, Executive Director John E. Johnson, Jr., and Commission Chair Gloria Lara)

MDCR Leadership Presents at Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government

On February 28, MDCR’s Executive Director John E. Johnson, Jr., Deputy Director Kim Woolridge and Director of Enforcement Marcelina Trevino presented testimony in support of the Governor's FY 2024-2025 budget recommendation. Governor Whitmer has recommended a $5 million increase for MDCR in Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25). The enhancement would affect the department's ongoing General Fund appropriation and allow the hiring of 29 full-time employees.

This additional support would provide another incredible boost to MDCR's enforcement operations. If approved by the legislature, the increase will result in a total FY25 ongoing General Fund appropriation of approximately $29.3 million per year. Compared to the FY22 allocation of $14.5 million, this is a 100.2% increase in funding. Michigan Senate (castus.tv)

(Image is a screen capture of MDCR leadership addressing the Appropriations Subcommittee. Left to right: Deputy Director Kim Woolridge, Executive Director John E. Johnson, Jr.)

House Passes Bi-Partisan Resolution Against Inflammatory Racial Language from Members of the Michigan House of Representatives

The Michigan House of Representatives voted 98-5 in support of Rep. Jason Hoskins’ (D-Southfield) resolution to condemn racist, xenophobic, white supremacist, antisemitic, and xenophobic language from its members. The resolution was prompted by a post on “X” by Rep. Josh Schriver (R-Oxford) promoting a racist conspiracy ideology. Schriver reposted an image promoting the "Great Replacement” theory, a White nationalist conspiracy claim that there is an effort to replace White Americans and Europeans through immigration and interracial marriage. 

(Left image is a photo of Rep. Jason Hoskins standing behind a podium with several legislators standing behind him. Right image is the Michigan House of Representatives voting record board.)