LANSING, Mich. – A group of faith and civic leaders came together Wednesday to call on Lansing to do more to fight systemic racism. It comes as a resolution declaring racism a public health crisis has stalled in the State Senate despite broad support. “Racism is a public health crisis that has been exacerbated by the parallel pandemics of social unrest as it relates to police violence as well as the pandemic," Pressley said. “It’s disproportionally impacting Black and Brown communities.”But Pressley said this public health crisis is twofold,. So our desire is to increase the capacity of moral leadership again by calling it a Public Health Crisis," Pressley said.

Whitmer creates Black Leadership Advisory Council to combat systemic racismPublished: August 5, 2020, 5:28 pmMichigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a new order and directive to address racism and to expand training for state employees.

Gretchen Whitmer signed a new order and directive to address racism and to expand training for state employees. Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-163 establishes a new government panel to advise her on the treatment of Black Michiganders. READ: Michigan declares racism public health crisis, will require implicit bias training for state employeesThis pandemic has confirmed and highlighted the deadly nature of these preexisting inequities caused by systemic racism, Whitmer said. Her solution is the creation of the Black Leadership Advisory Council within the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. We have a lot of work to do to eradicate the systemic racism that Black Americans have faced for generations, Whitmer said.

Gretchen Whitmer signed a new order and directive to address racism and to expand training for state employees. The governor also signed Executive Directive 2020-9, recognizing racism as a public health crisis and taking initial steps to address it within state government. Under the Executive Directive, the governor asked MDHHS to make health equity a major goal, as well as required implicit bias training for all state employees. Thats why today, I am proud to create the Black Leadership Advisory Council of Michigan, said Governor Whitmer. Promoting the cultural arts within the Black community through coordinated efforts, advocacy, and collaboration with state government.

Gretchen Whitmer signed an Executive Directive to develop rules to require implicit bias training for health professionals to address racial disparities. Executive Directive 2020-7 directs the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) to begin developing rules that will require implicit bias training as part of the knowledge and skills necessary for licensure, registration and renewal of licenses and registrations of health professionals in Michigan. Implicit bias training was one of the recommendations made by the Michigan Coronavirus Task Force on Racial Disparities. The evidence shows that training in implicit bias can make a positive difference, so today we are taking action to help improve racial equity across Michigans health care system. Governor Gilchrist II, chair of the Michigan Coronavirus Task Force on Racial Disparities.

Gretchen Whitmer said she believes those numbers are because of uneven health care delivery and signed an Executive Directive to develop rules to require implicit bias training for health professionals to address racial disparities. Michigan COVID-19 cases by race as of July 5, 2020. (WDIV)The governors task force said people of color suffer in medical settings from the unconscious bias by medical professionals. She turned to Dr. Randolph Rasch, Dean and Professor of the Michigan State University College of Nursing, who spoke extensively about what implicit bias is. The practical impact of Executive Directive 2020-7 means those looking to get a new license or wants to renew their medical license will have to undergo bias training.