Listen. Engage. Act.
Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is born out of respect and admiration for the rich and vibrant composition of our members, the family of communities in Michigan. As the association representing these communities with one voice, we know that voice is strong because of the unique gifts and perspectives each possess. That is why we celebrate differences and work to create systems and practices that ensure inclusivity and equity while rejecting and dismantling those that propagate discord and division. This is a duty we proudly accept. We will continue to resource our efforts by shaping our organization and culture to reflect our DEI commitment and values, something we believe is a mindset first and milestone second.
Engage in Resources
The League has compiled the resources on this page in support of our members as we move together towards a better understanding of racial injustice in our communities, and our role in correcting it.
We will be posting our own webinars, updates on relevant legislation, and other content, as well as links to policy guides and toolkits from organizations around the state and country. Additionally, we are collecting policies from our members that address discrimination, police misconduct, or racial inequity—please share your own policies as examples for others to draw on.
You will not find here a single solution or “best practice” recommended for all communities, but a range of strategies to evaluate locally.
League Updates & Programming
Future Events:
Advanced Elected Officials Academy Spring Summit
Mt. Pleasant, MI
May 17–18, 2024
Past Webinars:
Creating Equity Through Opportunity: CEO Workforce Development – April 30, 2021
CEO Presentation – City of Detroit Presentation– YouTube – Podcast – Vimeo
Identifying the Barriers to Equity: Understanding the Local Impacts of the Criminal Justice System – August 6, 2020
PowerPoint – YouTube – Podcast – Additional Resources
The Future of Public Safety Webinar Series: Re-imagining Community Engagement – July 30, 2020
PowerPoint – YouTube – Podcast
The Future of Public Safety Webinar Series: Re-imagining How We Invest – June 30, 2020
YouTube – Podcast – PowerPoint
Statement from the Michigan Municipal League Board of Trustees, June 8, 2020
The tragic and brutal death of George Floyd at the hands of police in Minneapolis and the resulting protests have put the issues of police brutality and racial injustice at the forefront of the American psyche. Citizens throughout the country are demanding that their governments combat brutality, inequity, and racial intolerance in all their forms.
Featured Articles
The League’s goal is to provide a variety of thought provoking articles that will help members to unbox and understand the different perspectives surrounding diversity, equity and inclusion. We encourage everyone to take the time to consider these thoughts and map their own vision for their community.
How data collection is playing a key role in advancing health equity
A new push to gather health care data about people with disabilities is spotlighting a disparity in health care equity…
Community, students fight to repeal racially restrictive covenants in Washtenaw County
Ypsilanti Township’s West Willow neighborhood is one of the largest neighborhoods in Washtenaw County…
Putting Fennville on the Map: Bilingual Wayfinding Signs
Visitors might notice there’s something a little different about finding their way around Fennville these days…
Equity in Budgeting
Local governments have long sought to treat their constituents equally, which is different than treating them equitably…
Six Easy Ways to Incorporate Equity into a Master Plan
Many planners think that emphasizing equity in a master plan is difficult. It might not be a local priority…
Building Inclusive AI: Strategies for Training Against Racism
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has rapidly evolved since 2021, becoming an integral part of our daily lives…
Empowering Women in Local Government
The Review Magazine, November/December 2019…
Leaders in Michigan municipal governments speak in Ford seminar
Five women working in municipal government positions around the state of Michigan spoke with University of Michigan students…
Trust and Belonging Key for New Minority Owned Businesses
It is estimated that 600,000 businesses open each year in the United States. They vary in size and span, some…
Leveraging Philanthropic Partnerships to Build Community Wealth
“When we intend to do good, we do. When we intend to do harm, it happens. What each of us…
What Can We Learn from Other Cities About Police Reform Models?
As the outrage over George Floyd’s murder has spurred nationwide protests this summer…
Report: How Routine Traffic Enforcement Criminalizes Poverty
One takeaway from the League’s Policy Forum series this year was a call to be attentive to how policy can…