While it’s very important to take note of the remarkable achievements of our civil rights leaders, as well as our friends, neighbors and co-workers of color during Black History Month, Oakland County champions diversity and inclusion each and every day—not just throughout February.
Oakland County continues to focus on fostering a thriving, diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where all employees are welcome. When that happens at work, it extends to the services provided to residents and businesses throughout the county.
Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer Robin Carter-Cooper works every day to help ensure that Oakland County’s increasingly diverse workforce is valued, respected, included, and heard.
Amplifying black voices, experiences, and contributions is not just for the month of February. Oakland County is committed to elevating all voices to ensure we are creating equitable systems to support minoritized voices throughout the organization and the communities we serve.
-Oakland County Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer Robin Carter-Cooper
Oakland County Equity Council
The Oakland County Equity Council, formed in December 2020, is comprised of employees from nearly every county department 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.
Diversity is one of the strengths of Oakland County. 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.
-Oakland County Executive David Coulter
Foundational equity training was provided for county leadership and Equity Council members, and a workplace culture survey was commissioned for the 5,000-plus county employees and contractors.
An external equity audit of county services was also completed to ensure all services provided are culturally competent. With a goal of understanding the needs and key disparities in our communities, the audit evaluated the availability of services offered to county residents.
Oakland County has a responsibility to identify, challenge, and change systems that perpetuate injustices and create disparate outcomes for marginalized and disadvantaged individuals and communities. Black history isn’t a week or month—it’s a year-long salute.
Women’s History Month
March is Women’s History Month, a time to celebrate trailblazing females from the past, present, and into the future. Carter-Cooper is a member of the panel of the Michigan Diversity Council’s 2022 Women in Leadership Symposium, taking place on March 29. The symposium will explore the ways women can reintegrate, restore and reemerge. With a renewed drive and focus on redefining womanhood, women are adapting and becoming flexible to changing tides in work structure, pay equity, and interpersonal relationships.
Resources
We’re all in this together, and help is always available. Visit the resources page of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion website for more information about COVID-19 assistance, food assistance, senior services, mental health resources, LGBTQ+ resources and more.
Follow the Oakland County Executive Office on Facebook and Twitter for more updates about the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
Follow along with Oakland County on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Twitter, and YouTube using #OaklandCounty, or visit our website for news and events year-round.