Pontiac, Michigan – County Executive David Coulter has announced the formation of the inaugural Oakland County Equity Council.
The 31-member council is comprised of employees from nearly every county department or office of an elected county official, including the county executive, sheriff, treasurer and water resource commissioner; Oakland County Circuit Court, Oakland County Probate Court and 52nd District Court; and departments such as economic development, health & human services, information technology and parks and recreation.
“Diversity is one of the strengths of Oakland County,” Coulter said. “We look to the council to create a culture for our employees that respects diversity and creates policies that promote equity and inclusion internally and in the critical services we provide to the public. I applaud and thank the employees selected for the council on their commitment and willingness to help operationalize equity in county government.”
The council is led by Robin Carter-Cooper, the county’s first chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer.
Coulter and the Oakland County Board of Commissioners collaborated to create the chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer position earlier this year. Coulter said more than 30 percent of Oakland County’s population is ethnically diverse. It is important county policies ensure its workforce reflects the county’s diversity and that county government is an active community partner in promoting equity initiatives.
The council will hold monthly meetings. Members are required to complete 20 hours of training each year they serve. Members are encouraged to share the work of the council with their respective county departments. More than 100 employees applied to be considered for the council.
Learn more at www.oakgov.com/equity