Black women Democrats in Michigan lobby for more leadership roles in state party

Louis Aguilar, The Detroit News on Dec 11, 2024

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DETROIT — A group of Black women Democrats and their supporters have launched a campaign to demand more support and representation from the state Democratic Party.

The effort is called "Our Own Backbone" and it has the support of some of the Democrats who will choose the next state leaders for the Michigan Democratic Party early next year.

About 50 people, including Harper Woods Mayor Valerie Kindle and Wayne County Commissioner Monique Baker McCormick, attended the launch for the effort Wednesday at the Detroit office of a nonprofit called the African American Leadership Institute,

"Black women are done," said Tashawna Gill, executive director of Our Own Backbone. "Black women have long been the backbone of the Michigan Democratic Party."

About 92% of Black women "reliably" vote Democrat, making them the most consistent voting bloc for the party, Gill said.

The current chair of the state Democratic party is Lavora Barnes, a Black woman, announced last month that she won't seek another two-year term as the party's chair. Several people at the press conference said they are among the Democrats who will select the upcoming round of next leaders and they are concerned about the choices, or rather lack of choices, they contend.

But the impact of the November elections has the group concerned that Black women and men will lose support and leadership roles in the party.

Tomena Byrd, chair of the Redford Township Democratic Club, is among the people who will help select the next leader in the state Democratic Party. She's also a national delegate for the party, she said.

"We are very concerned about the selection for the next leader of the Michigan Democratic Party. The leadership position must reflect the vision and values of those who do the work who mobilize communities and deliver folks," Byrd said.

The group has already sent out letters to state Democrats urging their support. Among those who have expressed support is U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens, Wayne County Commissioners Alisha Bell and Monique Baker McCormick, Harper Woods Mayor Valerie Kindle and several Detroit City Council members.

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