A slate of new guests has been announced for this year’s Michigan Black Summit, set for February 6 and 7 in Benton Harbor.
Black Summit Chair Trenton Bowens tells us the event will welcome Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist, along with U.S. Senate candidates Abdul El-Sayed and Mallory McMorrow. Gilchrist attended last year’s summit, but this will be the first appearance for El-Sayed and McMorrow.
Bowens says the addition of these guests shows the Black Summit is gaining statewide attention and is good for Southwest Michigan.
“It’s promoting the area of Southwest Michigan as the place to be, grow,” Bowens said. “We’ve got grit and determination in Berrien County and with the Michigan Black Summit, it’s showcasing [that] to people. And my dream is to have business leaders come in and get to experience the love and generosity of Southwest Michigan.”
The summit’s theme this year is “A Fierce Urgency of Now,” reflecting the growing need for decisive leadership and tangible outcomes for Black communities as they seek to overcome today’s challenges. Bowens says in addition to the speeches and workgroups, a U.S. Senate Candidate Forum will be held as part of the summit.
“It will not be like a debate. It will be a question and answer, and they’ll be able to interact with the audience. And it’s probably going to be the first time Benton Harbor is at center stage and having this event with the Senate candidates.”
Bowens says the summit has also invited candidate Haley Stevens to take part.
The keynote address at this year’s summit will be delivered by Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, a Detroit native known for his work in civil rights. Throughout the two-day summit, Bowens says a variety of issues will be discussed.
“We’re just excited,” Bowens said. “We’re having panels from education to healthcare to economic development, you know, the Black dollar and investing and everything of that nature. We’re having conversations about data centers, environmental concerns. You look at the situation from Flint, Benton Harbor, PFAS, the Kalamazoo River. Let’s look at it. Let’s look at the maternal infant rate with Black communities, how Black women are more apt to die than a white woman. Or Black education. When we look at the statistics, Black schools in Michigan are failing versus our white counterparts. And what’s the solution?”
Bowens says the summit will also include a town hall hosted by the chair of the Michigan Senate Appropriations Committee and a gala on that Saturday night. He’s expecting 200 to 250 people to attend.