Washtenaw County Names Alize Asberry Payne First Racial Equity Officer

Washtenaw County Administration and the Racial Equity Team is happy to announce that the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners has appointed Alize Asberry Payne as the County’s first Racial Equity Officer. Asberry-Payne has spent her entire career in working to advance racial equity.

“I’m excited to make this appointment.  This is important work for the organization and our community,” said County Administrator Gregory Dill.

“I am excited that we’ve hired Washtenaw County’s first-ever Racial Equity Officer,” said Board Chair Jason Morgan. “The Board of Commissioners is committed to addressing systemic racial inequity in our county and thrilled to have Alize leading this critical work.”

Commissioner Felicia Brabec, who led the Board’s Racial Equity work stated, “The exciting and momentous hiring of Ms. Asberry Payne marks the beginning of a new era for the county and our community. For the first time, the County has a Racial Equity Officer whose office is tasked with addressing racial inequities within our organization and its services. We are also hoping to partner with municipalities, non-profits and other groups throughout our community to address these inequities so that the ripple effect of this work can be experienced throughout our community. This hire is possible because of the dedicated work from people desiring to see something different for our community. Our work at the County is truly beginning and we hope that this culture shift for our organization can spur on a community shift that we can all be a part of.”