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Last week, I attended several events that are always a good reminder of why I chose public service as my path in life and work.
The federal holiday honoring the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. may have been a “Day Off” for some, but for many others it was a “Day On” to emulate the civil rights leader’s legacy of community service and social justice.
Dozens of Oakland County employees took part in Day of Service activities across the county that focused on helping those impacted by food insecurity. They lent a hand unloading and sorting food donations, stocking food pantry shelves and packing food boxes for residents in need.
Their work answered a question Dr. King often asked: “… What are you doing for others?”
I also participated in Southfield’s 40th annual MLK Task Force Peace Walk and celebration and Pontiac’s annual MLK luncheon, where we honored Dr. King’s challenge of creating a more just and equal society. Of the many memorable messages King shared in during his short lifetime, one truly resonates with me and often pops in my head not just on MLK Day, but also throughout the year: “It is always the right time to do the right thing.”
The other event I participated in last week that had a different emphasis on service was the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Detroit Policy Conference, which carried the theme “Driving the Innovation Economy.”
I was honored to share with the 1,000 or so people who attended the event how we, in Oakland County, are developing big ideas into initiatives that are providing transformational changes benefiting our residents and businesses.
It’s programs like Project DIAMOnD and Oakland Thrive that are providing 3D printing equipment, training and resources to our manufacturers and small businesses to support success in a global marketplace. It’s the education, training and wraparound resources for adult residents through our Oakland80 initiative to launch or restart fulfilling careers with high wages. And it’s the coaching and job demonstrations we’re providing our high school students that show them that college and advanced training is well within their reach.
It’s the affordable housing and accessible public transportation that’s allowing people to move to Oakland County and get to jobs, school and errands.
This is the innovation economy and public service at its best: Identifying gaps that are holding people and companies back and helping them overcome those challenges.
It’s why I Iove working for you every day.
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