CONTACT:
Riley Moody, Communications Assistant
iarm01@monroeccc.edu
Michelle Gaynier, Communications Specialist
mgaynier@monroeccc.edu
Monroe County Community College has two events remaining for in its schedule of Diversity Month events in April. These events are free and open to the community, including students, faculty and staff. Both events will be presented via Zoom to allow anyone, anywhere to participate and they are scheduled to last one hour.
At 6:00 p.m. (not 3 p.m.)on Tuesday, April 26, 2022, CREED's (Coalition for Racial Equality, Equity, and Diversity Honest Conversations) monthly gathering will feature a discussion of DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) In the Community and Workplace with Brandy Merritt, manager of DE&I and employee engagement for Consumers Energy. To attend a session, log on to https://zoom.us/j/98202678489?pwd=RHQ4S2ZPQ3V6T3NzVm1iN1Q5Q25RUT09 or visit www.monroeccc.edu/events.
Merritt is on a mission to leave a legacy of diplomacy and leadership that will inspire diverse professionals and students to develop their own strategies to strengthen the professional images, collaborative partnerships and lasting footprints they wish to achieve. With over 15 years of experience as a strategic communications and public relations professional, she has gained recognition advising high-profile individuals in global corporations (General Motors, Whirlpool Corporation and Ford Motor Company). In addition, she established herself as an ambassador of diplomacy and decorum with her ability to lead and support diverse teams at every level in her work with non-profit organizations. As a DEI strategic engagement leader at Consumers Energy, Merritt defines the strategic intent, alignment and prioritization of internal and external DE&I strategic engagement initiatives.
Merritt also holds memberships with the American Association of Blacks in Energy, Public Relations Society of America, International Association of Business Communicators, Society of Human Resource Management and has been awarded the national Diversity Council Certified Diversity Professional designation. She enjoys community enrichment serving in Jack and Jill of America, Inc., Ann Arbor Chapter; Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Detroit Chapter; and the Links, Inc., Ann Arbor Chapter.
On Thursday, April 28, 2022, at 3 p.m., Jessica Sharp, director of CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Monroe County, with present on CASA Child Protection via Zoom. Participants can log in at https://zoom.us/j/99073143171?pwd=OStQU1JuOWNkeXd5Mlo2YjN0Um5iZz09 or go to www.monroeccc.edu/events to join the conversation.
CASA of Monroe County's mission is to advocate for the best interest of abused and neglected children who are under the protection of the family court. Through the use of court-appointed, community volunteers, CASA seeks to assure safe, permanent families for these children as quickly as possible. CASA volunteers are ordinary citizens who want to help their community's children. These volunteers are the eyes and ears of the court. After an independent investigation, they appear in court to recommend to the judge what is best for the child.