Farmington Community Cherishes Diversity with Multicultural Multiracial Community Council

Farmington Community Cherishes Diversity with Multicultural Multiracial Community Council

(Elizabeth Schanz, Feb. 1, 2023)

Farmington, Farmington Hills, MI – The Multicultural Multiracial Community Council (MCMR) of Farmington and Farmington Hills works to create a better and safer community for all people through both the work of the council and influence of the community.

MCMR creates a space for people to discuss issues and plan activities around diversity and inclusion. The council opens up discussions and engagement for all members of the public including citizens, students, religious organizations, schools and public officials. The council works to take the experiences, concerns or hopes expressed by the community in order promote unity and instill positive changes.

MCMR began to form loosely and informally in the late 1980s and was formally established in 1996. Now, the board is formally made up of about 35 members and meets monthly as outlined in the council’s bylaws. The work of the council, however, extends beyond a singular group or meeting and rather depends on community events and involvement.

“The uniqueness about Farmington and Farmington Hills Multicultural Multiracial community council is its four-legged-stand,” said Thomas Shurtleff chair of MCMR. “It’s the residents, it’s the community, government and the school districts working together on something without a charter, without a 501c3. It belongs to all of us.”

Shurtleff said the work of MCMR is not exclusive to council members. He says the events and outreach wouldn’t be possible without the broader community efforts and involvement.

“It’s not meant to be that the 24 people do all the work, it’s meant to be the 24 people, draw people together, set up a project and draw the community to the project,” Shurtleff said.

Shurtleff said various events keep the community recognizing what makes Farmington and Farmington Hills special. Events help to promote diversity and create a more connected community both in planning and participating in the programs.

One of the recent events was the annual Unity Walk for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a celebration that has been in place since the start of MCMR. Additionally, this year, the forum after the walk was student-led by Farmington IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Acceptance), student clubs offered at the schools.

Similarly, MCMR partnered in an inaugural event called the Student Community Challenge Showcase and Awards. The program showcased various forms of artwork from students that expressed how they feel that Farmington and Farmington Hills are inclusive.

These events are a pinnacle part of the mission of MCMR work. However, the organization faced some challenges in how they could reach the public during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The communications officer for MCMR and sits on the council that represents the Holocaust Memorial Center and the anti-defamation league, Sue Ross said that MCMR is in its “reconstruction phase,” working to enhance and rebuild the engagement with the community.

Ross said what makes MCMR unique and effective are different perspectives that come from people speaking out about issues important to them and bringing these ideas to the attention of the council. These relationships allow MCMR to create a unified and strong stance to protect and benefit the diverse groups in Farmington and Farmington Hills.

For instance, Ross noted the rise of anti-Semitism locally, nationally and globally and MCMR’s responsibility to address these issues, stand up against hate and make a statement that “this will not go in our community.”

“Think of us as NATO, that an attack on one is an attack on all and that’s the position MCMR takes,” Ross said. “We are working very wholeheartedly at that and we will take that position when there’s been an attack on the Muslim community or the Black community, and we are there to stand up to support and speak out and to do whatever we can to tamp down issues.”

Additionally, MCMR aims to help people every day. They take an active role in educating the community and building a sense of understanding to prevent hatred or animosity that can negatively influence the community.

To achieve this goal, MCMR wants to further expand into the community. They encourage new voices to get involved with the council through group participation, discussions, scheduled events, youth programs and guest speakers. Shurtleff said that the council is constantly looking for new and commonly underrepresented perspectives in order to create a fuller picture of the community.

“We have to recognize the changing demographics of a town and know the individuals have much to share with us,” Shurtleff said.

MCMR will continue to highlight and magnify the voices of community members through collective conversations, outreach events and promoting diversity. The council encourages people to participate in what the organization has to offer and bring new ideas to the table. They hope that people will be able to find common ground and unite as one to make meaningful change in the community.

To get involved or for more information check them out on the City of Farmington website or Facebook.