February 22, 2024
Bi-Weekly Executive Newsletter
 Dear Friends,
I’ve encountered some extraordinary people in the last few weeks who have made me appreciate the passion and dedication that so many people bring to their work, their communities and their families.
We are highlighting some remarkable individuals during Black History Month and learning what inspired them to become leaders.
- For Raylon Leaks-May, the first Black woman elected to the Ferndale City Council and as Mayor, her mother Carole Harper served as an inspirational trailblazer as the first female Sergeant in the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department. Leaks-May knows that being the first in a role is an important distinction, but even more crucial, she wants to bring others along on the path to success so she’s not the last.
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Dustin McClellan had a transformative moment when he attended the Power Company Kids Club as a 7-year-old, leading him to a journey of giving back to his hometown of Pontiac as a minister and the founder and CEO of the Pontiac Community Foundation.
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Keira Rhodes, a senior at North Farmington High School, has a compelling enthusiasm for standing up for her fellow students through her work on the Student Senate and Roundtable along with the Black Student Union.
- And Clarence and Lorena Black, a couple from Berkley talk passionately about their military service and how it led them to public service – Clarence is the first person elected to the Berkley City Council and Lorena is the Leadership Development Director at Inforum.
Stay tuned to Oakland County's YouTube page throughout February to learn more about their personal stories and reflections on Black History Month.
And finally, I met James Fortune last week during a ceremony at the county’s Information Technology building to honor him and the people who saved his life last year when he suffered a heart attack at work.
There was never a doubt that these heroic people would spring into action and tend to their co-worker and friend, performing CPR and finding the defibrillator in the department to shock his heart back into rhythm twice before emergency responders arrived at the scene.
Waterford Regional Fire Department Lt. Steve Meier told us that he had never seen such a coordinated and successful rescue and that the actions the IT employees took in the seven minutes it took the emergency team to arrive surely saved Fortune’s life.
For that, both Fortune and I are incredibly grateful for the CPR training county workers have received, the reliability of the AED machines placed throughout the county and the strength of a department that quickly and calmly responded to the crisis. A big shout out and heartfelt thanks to: IT employees Todd Simpson, Steve Jennings, Jeff Long, Steve Erkins Dawn Clark-Pitts, Addie Hankins, Scott Kaiser, Stacy Metcalf, Melba Collins, Casey Hanson, Jill Nagi, Tammi Shepherd, and Janet Brinker.
With gratitude,
Dave Coulter
Oakland County Executive
 Spice Up Your Cooking Routine With Cooking Demonstrations at the Farmers Market
Join the Oakland County Farmers Market and edibleWOW for a six-week demonstration series Cooking with edibleWOW. Each cooking demonstration will feature a chef sharing their unique culinary experiences as they prepare recipes that highlight ingredients readily available during the winter months. Each session runs from 10-11 a.m. at the Oakland County Farmers Market. The 2024 schedule includes:
- Feb. 24 - Chef Allie Lyttle from LaLa's Too
- March 9 - Chef James Kokenyesdi from the Michigan Chefs de Cuisine Association
- March 23 - Chef Souri Gaillard from Bowers School Farm
- April 13 - Chef Amanda Saab from Amanda's Plate
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The Oakland County Blog is your community resource for living, working and thriving in Oakland County Michigan. Learn about upcoming events and attractions, programs, workshops, and more happening in our 62 communities.
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