Kalamazoo County seeks residents to serve on Reparations Task Force

Kalamazoo County seeks residents to serve on Reparations Task Force

Apr 1, 2021 | Local News, Local(SWM)

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, April 1, 2021
Contact: Dina Sutton, dpsutt@kalcounty.com

Kalamazoo County seeks residents to serve on Reparations Task Force
Task force will examine historical discriminatory practices throughout the community, recommend next steps

KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners Vice Chair and head of the Kalamazoo County Reparations Task Force Tami Rey announced the county is accepting applications from residents to serve on the Reparations Task Force. The task force was created earlier this year following the adoption of a resolution brought forward by the Kalamazoo County Board.

“It is vital for the Reparations Task Force to have input from residents from all walks of life and professions that run the gamut, from the community organizers to doctors and attorneys, which is why I am encouraging residents to apply to be a member of the task force,” Rey said. “This task force will take a critical look at the historical practices of racial discrimination throughout the community and have frank and open conversations to determine how to remedy the discriminatory practices that have led to disparities in wealth, housing, employment, education and health.”

The task force is seeking residents from professional fields including, but not limited to:

  • Health care
  • Education
  • Community organizers or activists
  • Workforce development
  • Legal
  • BIPOC community organizations
  • Finance
  • LGBTQIA+

Elected officials and county leaders have also been invited to join the task force, including Administrator Tracie Moored, Treasurer Thomas Whitener and county commissioners.

“I applaud Vice Chair Rey for taking the initiative to create this task force and reach out to community members so we can start having the important conversation about reparations in Kalamazoo County,” Board Chair Tracy Hall said. “The goal of this task force aligns with our vision of ensuring Kalamazoo County is actively working toward racial equity and to become a welcoming place for everyone to live, work and raise a family.”

Once the task force completes its examination, it will be charged with recommending appropriate remedies to the county board

.Residents who want to apply can fill out this form or contact vice chair Rey at Tami.Rey@kalcounty.com.

###

Kalamazoo Resident, Teleka Patrick Still Missing

Dec 24, 2013 | Local News, Local(SWM), SW Michigan/Local Hispanic News

 

Missing Kalamazoo Resident

Kalamazoo- The Patrick Family as well as the Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office is asking for help in locating a Kalamazoo resident. Teleka Patrick, 33  was last seen in the parking lot of Borgess Medical Center on Gull Road in Kalamazoo. Video footage shows Patrick entering the Radisson Plaza Hotel and speaking with a desk clerk on Thursday evening.  Footage also shows her leaving the plaza to get a a shuttle bus that was destined to Borgess Medical Center. She failed to report to work on Friday morning. The Sheriff’s Department reports that Patrick has no known medical history and foul play is not suspected at this time.  That is not what the Patrick  Family is feeling.  Irene Patrick, Teleka’s mom points out, “If information is put out there that everything is OK, it brings some sort of relaxation to the situation that everything is fine and its not”.

Anyone with information on Patrick’s whereabouts is requested to contact the Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office at 269-383-8748 or Silent Observer at 269-343-2100.  According to local media outlet, The Patrick Family has offered a $10,000 reward for information leading them to Teleka.

Pin It on Pinterest