What has Oakland County done so far?

• Oakland County Executive David Coulter in fall 2019 appointed the most diverse leadership team in county history, including the first female chief deputy, Hilarie Chambers, and the first Black American deputy executive, Rudy Hobbs.
  
  
• In November 2019, the Oakland County Board of Commissioners passed the county’s first comprehensive non-discrimination policy covering employment and contracts thanks in part to the work of District 16 Commissioner Penny Luebs (D-Clawson), who introduced the resolution.
  
  
• Created and hired the county’s first chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer, Robin Carter-Cooper, in June 2020. Carter-Cooper, previously executive director of instructional equity for the Rochester Community Schools, has extensive experience in facilitation and training on social justice topics and is a leader in strategic planning in diversity, equity, and inclusion. Carter-Cooper is responsible for leading internal and external efforts to elevate inclusiveness and implement best practices related to this executive priority.
  
  
• Joined Welcoming America and hosted a virtual Welcoming Week event in September 2020 with the help of Welcoming Oakland consortium members. The collective’s early beginnings started in spring 2019 when District 4 Commissioner William Miller (D-Farmington) delivered the first Welcoming Resolution to the Oakland County Board of Commissioners. The county’s welcoming efforts includes developing a roadmap for the county, which includes participation in Resilience and Emergency Management for Inclusive Communities seminars; filling food security needs in immigrant communities; offering translation assistance and connecting immigrants critical social and healthcare services.
  
  
• Developed an internal Oakland County Equity Council comprised of county employees to promote cultural sensitivity, workforce diversity and cultural understanding among all employees. Council members are committed leaders who will undergo 20 hours of training each year. Monthly meetings will allow council members to look at data, develop skills and knowledge to support them in advancing the council’s mission. They may also support conversations related to oppression, inequities, and cultural sensitivity among employees.
  
  
• Openly supported refugees in our community. In recent years, Oakland County has accepted the highest percentage of refugees in southeast Michigan and remain proud to do so. We recognize and appreciate the direct economic, cultural, and social impact that refugees create in our community.
  
  
• Engaged a firm to perform an Equity Audit of all county services. Oakland provides many critical services that supports its residents, businesses, and local municipalities. It is critical our departments and divisions deliver services that are equitable, accessible, and meet our communities’ diverse needs.
  
  
• The MLK day of service in 2023 had five volunteer opportunities around the county that were made available to employees. There were about 400 hours of service from more than 80 volunteers!