Black lawmakers talk representation during NAACP-Divine Nine Advocacy Day

Sen. Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing) speaks during a NAACP-Divine Nine Advocacy Day in Lansing on May 22, 2024. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)

Reflecting on a year-and-half of a Democratic-majority Michigan Legislature, Black lawmakers talked on Wednesday about the importance of showing up and being seen in politics during the NAACP-Divine Nine Advocacy Day in Lansing.

For the first time in about 40 years, Michigan Democrats have a governing trifecta, as they also control the governorship. Members of the NAACP and Divine Nine Black sororities and fraternities have demanded action from their representation in government, Sen. Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing) told attendees. And for 40 years, groups have not been able to move transformational policies on behalf of Black Michiganders. 

“These are tough fights that we are having. Historic funding for the civil rights department doesn’t just happen. Policies … that show up for black folks doesn’t just happen and it has wore on a lot of the members of the Legislature,” Anthony said. “So when we are able to go into majority white spaces like we are every day in the Capitol and we see you with your suits and your gorgeous pink and green and we see the NAACP and we see your organizations showing up for us. It gives us the boost we need to keep fighting.”

Anthony is the first Black woman to chair the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, which is responsible for the state’s budget.

Rep. Brenda Carter (D-Pontiac) speaks during a NAACP-Divine Nine Advocacy Day in Lansing on May 22, 2024. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)

Rep. Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw) speaks during a NAACP-Divine Nine Advocacy Day in Lansing on May 22, 2024. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)

Rep. Stephanie Young (D-Detroit) speaks during a NAACP-Divine Nine Advocacy Day in Lansing on May 22, 2024. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)

Rep. Tyrone Carter (D-Detroit) speaks during a NAACP-Divine Nine Advocacy Day in Lansing on May 22, 2024. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)

Rep. Brenda Carter (D-Pontiac) speaks during a NAACP-Divine Nine Advocacy Day in Lansing on May 22, 2024. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)

Rep. Stephanie Young (D-Detroit) speaks during a NAACP-Divine Nine Advocacy Day in Lansing on May 22, 2024. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)

Rep. Kimberly Edwards (D-Eastpointe) speaks during a NAACP-Divine Nine Advocacy Day in Lansing on May 22, 2024. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)

There are no Black Republican lawmakers in Michigan’s state Legislature. Anthony is one of three Black state senators in Michigan, there are no Black men in the state Senate. Over on the House side, there are 14 Black lawmakers. 

Enacting policies that seek to remove barriers for Black individuals to be seen in the state like the Crown Act help build opportunities, Anthony said, but efforts like funding minority-owned businesses in the Fiscal Year 2024 state budget make sure people of color are represented in the halls of power and Michigan communities.

Representation matters and the whole point of Divine Nine, why it was created, was to come together and take care of Black students on college campuses, Rep. Brenda Carter (D-Pontiac) told attendees. With a slim 56-54 Democrat majority in the House, Carter and other Black Democrat lawmakers speaking implored attendees to get involved in the 2024 election where all 110 state House seats are on the ballot.

“This is not the election to sit at home. This is not the election to not support your colleagues or people who represent you,” Carter said. “We have the best opportunity in the world this year to take care of your community because the other side ain’t playing.”

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