Michigan Department of Civil Rights to host Civil Rights Summit in June

The Michigan Department of Civil Rights (MDCR) on Tuesday announced it will convene a Civil Rights Summit on Wednesday, June 15, at the Lansing Center in Lansing. The title of the event is “Racism and Other “Isms”– Shaping Systemic Change Through an Equity Lens.”

“The world has changed significantly since the department held the last Summit in 2006,” said MDCR Director John. E. Johnson Jr. “With escalations in hate crime, poverty, and attacks on democracy, we felt it was time to gather once again to strategize about protecting the rights of marginalized people.”

The event will feature Richard Rothstein, author of “The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America.” HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge and Michigan Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist will also address the Summit.

Using the tagline “Like trees, problems have roots,” the Summit will look at discrimination through a systems lens. Recognizing the diversity of social justice issues facing modern Michigan, the event agenda will include opportunities to analyze equity in education, housing, health care, voting rights, and economics.

Like the last Summit, MDCR will welcome leaders from civil rights organizations around the state, as well as leading voices in government, law, higher education, philanthropy, and faith-based institutions. Participants will be able to attend in person at the Lansing Center, or virtually.

Registration is now open at https://bit.ly/3lJbF6G.” For additional information on the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, visit www.michigan.gov/mdcr. Residents can follow the department on social media for conference news and updates:

  • Facebook: www.facebook.com/midcr/
  • Twitter: @MiCivilRights
  • Instagram: @MiCivilRights

The MDCR is charged with investigating and resolving complaints of discrimination and working to prevent discrimination through educational programs that promote voluntary compliance with civil rights laws. The department also provides training and services to government agencies, businesses, schools and organizations on diversity initiatives, fair housing and equal employment law. MDCR is the operational arm of the Michigan Civil Rights Commission (MCRC).