Planned for February 18 in Benton Harbor is the first Statewide Black Summit. Neighbors Organizing Against Racism Director Trenton Bowens tells us the group is calling leaders from across the state to come and discuss matters of policy of concern to all.
“Benton Harbor, Inkster, Flint, Detroit, Eastpointe, it’s a conversation that needs to happen,” Bowens said. “When you look at the election, African Americans have a vital role in the democracy, in election day turnout, and now is the time to come up with a plan and go to our state reps and our state senators and the governor.”
Bowens says Black Americans have been shown to be a significant voting bloc, and now it’s time to communicate priorities with state leaders. Participants at the summit will talk education, housing, healthcare, and employment. He says guests will include mayors, doctors, and more. The summit is open to everyone and will be held on February 18 at Lake Michigan College’s Mendel Center from 11 .a.m. to 3 p.m. Bowens hopes it will lead to more summits all over Michigan.
