The history and heritage of Black Americans and the countless contributions they have made and continue to make are honored every February throughout Oakland County. The Board of Commissioners recently concluded their observation of Black History Month with several actions and events that highlight the important contributions of local people and organizations. These celebrations include proclamation presentations and the continuation of the Board’s Black Excellence Award.
Commissioners (left to right) Yolanda Smith Charles (District 17), Linnie Taylor (District 18), Kristen Nelson (District 10), Penny Luebs (District 2), and Gwen Markham (District 15) visited the Southfield Public Library to present proclamations in honor of five local communities that are partnering on a project that tells the story of the Underground Railroad in Oakland County.
Volunteers and members of the Birmingham Museum, Farmington Historical Society, Oakland County Pioneer and Historical Society, Royal Oak Historical Society and Southfield Historical Society have spearheaded the research for this initial phase of the project and identified 12 freedom seekers and 11 abolitionists, with more still under study. The Jan. 31 evening event at the library was the first in a series of the four-poster traveling exhibit that explores the local networks that helped thousands of freedom seekers escape enslavement. Commissioners Ajay Raman (District 14), Charlie Cavell (District 19) and Angela Powell (District 9) and Chair David T. Woodward (District 1) were unable to attend the event, but they collaborated on the proclamations for their districts.
The entire Board, led by Commissioners Smith Charles, Powell and Taylor, also proclaimed February as Black History Month in Oakland County during their Feb. 7 meeting. With this proclamation, the commissioners joined with the entire Black community to reflect on their contributions to and sacrifices for our country and committed to continuing the work toward justice, inclusion and equity for all residents.
Finally, to close Black History Month, five Oakland County residents were recognized by the Board as Black Excellence Award winners during its Feb. 29 meeting (top photo, left to right: Commissioner Powell, Eisha Branner, Damany Ali Head, Myka Burley, Commissioner Taylor, Dr. Vivian Greenway, Christian J. Williams and Board Vice Chair Gershenson). This is the third consecutive year the Board has hosted the program. The awardees were nominated by the public, and all qualifying nominations were reviewed by a panel of commissioners that included Commissioners Powell, Smith Charles and Taylor. Recipients were chosen for their notable achievements and the strides they have taken to improve their communities.
This year’s winners are:
- Eisha Branner – A native of Pontiac, Ms. Branner has dedicated her efforts to building a more resilient community through empowering youth and parents. She is the founder and CEO of E-Community Outreach Services, which assists families in need through case management services, community resources and other support services. Earlier this year, she also unveiled the Women in Business Working Center, a space dedicated to empowering women entrepreneurs and fostering their success. She holds a master’s degree in human services and has four daughters.
- Myka Burley – With work experience at Fortune 500 companies, Ms. Burley has long advocated for tech as a driver toward economic equity and facilitated more than $4 million in philanthropic digital inclusion investments and tech training programs. A resident of Southfield, she is an associate director for the skills team at Michigan Central and serves on NPower Michigan’s Regional Advisory Board, supporting the nonprofit’s mission of creating pathways to economic prosperity through digital careers for military veterans and young adults from underserved communities. She was also appointed to serve on Brilliant Detroit’s Engagement Committee.
- Dr. Vivian Greenway – Dr. Greenway has more than 30 years of clinical experience and has championed healthcare case management’s role in healthcare outcomes. She helped secure a proclamation from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to recognize October 8-14, 2023, as Case Management Week in Michigan and currently serves on several national committees for the Case Management Society of America, including the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Committee. Dr. Greenway also serves on the Leadership Succession Committee for Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society and volunteers as a mentor. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®.
- Damany Ali Head – Founder, investor and mechanical engineer, Mr. Head of Pontiac has served as the chair of the Pontiac Regional Chamber since 2016. He is also principal officer for the Pontiac United Education Coalition, a nonprofit that brings together school district leaders, businesses and community organizations to improve educational outcomes for children in Pontiac. Mr. Head’s Pathways to Prosperity program promotes lifelong learning for residents and his service on the Oakland Literacy Council board helps advance literacy as a fundamental right throughout Oakland County. Professionally, he is the managing partner of Essential Recycling.
- Christian J. Williams – Mr. Williams, a resident of West Bloomfield, has made a significant mark on the career services field. He established CJW Consulting Group, an entrepreneurial professional development business that offers professional consulting for résumé development, cover letters, LinkedIn optimization and interview coaching. His firm has helped nearly 2,000 clients, ranging from individual contributors to vice presidents and C-suite professionals, from across the country develop their careers. Concurrently, he also serves as a supplier diversity consultant for Henry Ford Health, advocating for minority-and women-owned business enterprises. He is the recipient of 40 Under 40 awards from Michigan Chronicle and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.
For more on each of the award winners, follow the Board’s Facebook page for a new story each day during the week of March 4.
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