$100,000 in grants to fight racism around Michigan have been announced by the Consumers Energy Foundation. Spokesperson Brian Wheeler tells WSJM News the company has seen the movement taking place across the country and wants to help.
“It’s definitely not enough for us to simply be not racist,” Wheeler said. “We have to take actions that actually fight racism. We think there’s more that we can do. The $100,000 that we’re contributing through our foundation is one thing we can do, but really it’s the start of what’s going to be a long effort.”
Wheeler says with more than 8,000 employees in Michigan, Consumers Energy is working internally and elsewhere to have a dialogue about racism.
“For us to be silent at a time like this is not an option. We know that we have to be a part of the conversation starting with our own employees, but also working with communities, and making sure that we’re supporting efforts like these and these organizations that can make a real difference in communities and can fight racism.”
The $100,000 in grants is going to civil rights groups across the state. They include the Michigan Roundtable for Diversity and Inclusion, the Michigan Diversity Council, and Eliminating Racism and Creating and Celebrating Equality in Kalamazoo. Wheeler says more announcements will be coming.
The donations include:
The Michigan Roundtable for Diversity & Inclusion – $35,000. Serves as a human relations organization whose purpose is to overcome discrimination and racism. Learn more at https://www.miroundtable.org
The Michigan Diversity Council – $15,000. Serves as a resource for diversity best practices and leadership development in Michigan. Learn more at http://michigandiversitycouncil.org.
The Turning Point of Lansing – $10,000. Focused on transforming boys to men by providing an Afrocentric group mentoring experience. Learn more at http://www.theturningpointoflansing.org.
The Grand Rapids Urban League – $10,000. Focused on delivering services and creating systemic changes which eliminate racism. Learn more at https://www.grurbanleague.org.
The M.A.D.E. (Money, Attitude, Direction, Education) Institute in Flint – $10,000. Provides comprehensive violence prevention, solution-driven research and workforce development for at-risk youth and returning citizens.
The Bridge Center in Saginaw – $10,000. Focused on the achievement of tolerance, understanding and acceptance of racial differences in the Great Lakes Bay area. Learn more at https://www.facebook.com/TheBridgeCenterMI.
ERACCE (Eliminating Racism & Creating/Celebrating Equality) in Kalamazoo – $10,000. Exists to eliminate structural racism and create a network of equitable anti-racist institutions and communities. Learn more at http://www.eracce.org.
