The 20th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Breakfast on Friday, Jan. 15, in Muskegon Community College’s Collegiate Hall features a presentation by Harvey Hollins, Director of the Governor’s Office of Urban and Metropolitan Initiatives.
The annual event celebrates the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and seeks to build understanding in the community. Tickets for the breakfast event are sold out, but Mr. Hollins will participate in a community round table, open and free to the public, following the breakfast at 10 a.m. at the Baker College Student Center at 1903 Marquette Ave.
Numerous mayors and city managers will participate in the round table session focusing on collaboratively tackling urban Muskegon issues including Mayor Steve Gawron of the City of Muskegon, Mayor Gary Nelund of the City of Norton Shores, and Mayor Kim Sims of the City of Muskegon Heights. City managers participating include Frank Peterson of the City of Muskegon and Mark Myers of Norton Shores. The issues of public safety, healthy neighborhoods, and economic development with a focus on family sustaining jobs will be the focus of the roundtable discussions.
As a member of Governor Snyder’s Senior Staff, Director Hollins’ work focuses on public safety, education, municipal finance, housing, transportation, workforce development and other such efforts in Michigan’s urban cities. He was tapped in late December 2015 to lead the State of Michigan’s response to the Flint water crisis.
Michigan’s Office of Urban and Metropolitan Initiatives, established in September 2011, is based in Detroit and operates regional satellite offices in Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids and previously Flint. OUMI works closely with state departments, local governments, the foundation community, and the business sector to establish policies and create a framework to maximize the state’s role in urban economic development in Michigan.
Throughout his career, Harvey has engaged local, state and federal decision makers to improve the lives of Michigan residents.
- As Wayne State University’s Vice President for Government and Community Affairs he served as the University’s chief lobbyist on legislative and political affairs, interfacing on behalf of the University with federal, state and local officials. His work there secured nearly $200 million dollars for research and capital improvements for the University. In addition, he was the university’s lead in the creation of the University Research Corridor, a collaboration between Wayne State University, the University of Michigan and Michigan State University.
- As the Director of Government Affairs for AARP Michigan, Harvey successfully lobbied numerous issues impacting seniors in several states as well as in Congress. One signature law that he is proud of is the creation of Michigan’s Do Not Call law. Harvey also participated as AARP Michigan’s liaison to the 1998 White House Conference on Social Security.
- As a senior fiscal analyst for the Michigan House of Representatives, Harvey was responsible for developing the budgets for the former Departments of Commerce, Labor and the Michigan Jobs Commission.
For more details visit www.muskegoncc.edu/unity or call (231) 777-0569.