Welcome Teresa Branson, Kent County's First Chief Inclusion Officer

Dear Community Members,

As you may know, Kent County recently hired Teresa Branson as our first Chief Inclusion Officer. We elevated this role because we are committed to accelerating our efforts to be an inclusive workforce and to ensure we are being equitable in our service delivery. I am excited for Teresa to fulfill this role and help us expand our diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

Prior to this role, Teresa served as the Deputy Administrative Health Officer for the Kent County Health Department (KCHD). Additionally, she held numerous public health education positions within KCHD, Child & Family Services of West MI, Inc., and Arbor Circle Corporation. She brings extensive experience implementing strategic diversity and inclusion programs and processes. During her tenure at KCHD, she provided direction for the department’s health equity initiatives and led several successful programs aimed at reducing health disparities. Branson serves on numerous community and statewide boards, including the Michigan Community Action Team of the Governor’s COVID-19 Racial Disparities Task Force.

Teresa has a wealth of experience that will help us develop best practices and breakthrough potential barriers. Please join me in welcoming Teresa Branson as our first Chief Inclusion Officer.

-Wayman Britt, Kent County Administrator

Gateways for Growth Seeking Welcome Plan Coordinator 

The Kent County Gateways for Growth Steering Committee, comprised of representatives from the City of Grand Rapids, Kent County, West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, and Samaritas, is hiring a Welcome Plan Coordinator to facilitate implementation of the Kent County Welcome Plan.

Grand Rapids/Kent County was one of 13 communities throughout the U.S. that participated in the

national initiative, Gateways for Growth, with each community developing a localized plan. The

community-led plan is structured around helping refugees and immigrants overcome barriers in five

categories: civic engagement, economic development, safe and connected communities, education, and equitable access to services.

Click here to view the full qualifications and application process. All proposals are due by 5 p.m. on July 13, 2021. Applicants with questions about the position can attend a pre-bidding conference on June 29, 2021. 

June is Pride Month!

We recognize the importance of the LGBTQIA+ rights movement and the contributions leaders of this movement have made in their ongoing struggle against discrimination and injustice.

Acronyms Explained

The language used to talk about LGBTQIA individuals is constantly evolving. New terms appear. Terms that were forgotten or unused, even terms that at some point were deemed derogatory, have been reclaimed and have entered into common parlance today.

In a move towards inclusivity, the older, shorter, acronym - LGBT - has been expanded. Click the image below for an explanation of that acronym and the meaning of the terms it refers to. It’s worth noting that these definitions are not set in stone. Definitions of terms, like language itself, are constantly evolving. Moreover, they mean different things to different people. After all, we are talking about identity, sexuality, and relationships, so there are as many definitions as there are people.

Celebrating Juneteenth

Juneteenth Webinar



Juneteenth is the observance of the ending of slavery in the United States. The holiday links back to June 19, 1865, two-and-a-half years after the Emancipation Proclamation. It was at that point Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas with the news that the Civil War had ended and the slaves were freed.

In this webinar, presented in partnership with Warner Norcross + Judd LLP, we’ll hear from Dr. Sandra Upton, Vice President of Global Diversity Practice at Cultural Intelligence Center, and Paul Doyle, Founder & CEO of Inclusive Performance Strategies. Attendees will learn more about the history and significance of Juneteenth and why it’s important to celebrate within your organization.

Kent County Health Department Hosts Juneteenth COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics

The Kent County Board of Commissioners recently announced several pop-up vaccination clinics in honor of the Juneteenth Holiday and to take further steps to end the grip of the pandemic on the African American community.

In Kent County, Black youth, and young adults ages 16-49 have lower vaccine rates than other racial or ethnic groups. Data also shows vaccine disparities in urban areas of the county that are occupied more heavily by African Americans. Read the full news release here.



The Kent County Health Department will offer free vaccinations at the following locations:

Date: June 18

Time: Noon – 2 p.m.

Location: Eastern Avenue Christian Reformed Church Parking Lot ∙ 514 Eastern SE ∙ Grand Rapids, MI ∙ 49507

Details: No appointment needed; walk-ins welcome

Date: June 19

Time: 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Location: Dickenson Buffer Park ∙ 1635 Willard SE ∙ Grand Rapids, MI ∙ 49507

Details: No appointment needed; walk-ins welcome

Celebrating the Grand Rapids Asian-Pacific Festival 2021

Last week, Kent County Commissioner Monica Sparks presented a proclamation by the Board of Commissioners encouraging all residents to experience the events of the Grand Rapids Asian-Pacific Festival and participate in its numerous cultural engagements. The goal of the festival was to inspire, educate, and celebrate West Michigan’s Asian roots, while bringing together the communities, businesses, and local organizations of Kent County.

In Case You Missed It- AAPI Heritage Month Panel Discussion

On May 8, 2021, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health, the National Park Service, and the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders hosted a virtual panel discussion highlighting current federal efforts addressing racism and health inequities and featured contemporary Asian Americans who are leading grass-roots efforts to protect and empower diverse AAPI communities nationwide. In case you missed it, you can re-watch the entire panel discussion below.

In The News

Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. in honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, recently recognized Kent County Assistant Corporate Counsel Sangeeta Ghosh for her many contributions to the community. We are so fortunate to have Sangeeta as a member of the Kent County family. Congratulations to Sangeeta for being highlighted on the Downtown Grand Rapid Inc. Facebook Page and thank you for all of your work for our community!

Kent County Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Goals:

1. Provide our residents with equitable access to efficient, effective and culturally responsive services
2. Intentionally incorporate diversity, equity, and inclusion practices in our service delivery
3. Recruit and retain a qualified, diverse workforce that reflects our continually changing community

Click here for more information about our DEI efforts.