Michigan Civil Rights Fee names lawyer John E. Johnson, Jr., as Interim Director of the Michigan Division of Civil Rights

By Last updated May 25, 2021

LANSING, Michigan (WILX) – The Michigan Civil Rights Commission was created by the Michigan Constitution to provide constitutional and legal guarantees against discrimination. The Commission is investigating alleged discrimination against a person on the basis of religion, race, color or national origin, genetic information, gender, age, marital status, height, weight, detention records and physical and mental disabilities.

The Michigan Department of Civil Rights acts as the operational arm of the commission and has a new interim director as of Monday.

On Monday, the Michigan Civil Rights Commission appointed attorney John E. Johnson Jr. as interim director of the Michigan Department of Civil Rights. Johnson is currently acting as Legislative Liaison and Special Adviser to the Commission.

He will take up his position on Tuesday 2nd June and will take over the role until the Commission selects a permanent Executive Director.

Commission Chairperson Stacie Clayton said, “The Commission deeply thanks John E. Johnson for reinforcing and agreeing to serve as Interim Executive Director of the Michigan Department of Civil Rights. The department has made significant strides over the past 8 months under Director White and we believe Attorney Johnson will help us continue the momentum and progress we have made during Director White’s tenure. “

Johnson previously served as Executive Director of the Michigan Legislative Black Caucus for seven years. He previously held a number of senior positions including Corporation Counsel for the City of Detroit, General Counsel of the NAACP in Detroit, Assistant Executive Director of Law for Wayne County Neighborhood, and Hearing Officer for the Michigan Tax Tribunal.

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