Attorney John Johnson Jr. was unanimously elected to head the Michigan Civil Rights Department after serving as interim director for nearly two months.
Johnson, who had previously applied for the position of director, was the department’s legislative liaison and special adviser to the commission until former Civil Rights Director James White resigned on June 1. who said he saw “a lot of potential” for what the department can achieve.
The Civil Rights Department is tasked with investigating unlawful discrimination and ensuring equal protection of the rights of Michigan residents.
“Thank you, Commissioners, for the evidence of faith and confidence you have shown in me,” said Johnson. “I promise not to let you down. I have to thank Director White because (he) not only hired me, but also laid a great foundation. “
White went on to become interim chief of the Detroit Police Department after former Chief James Craig retired. The Michigan Civil Rights Commission voted last August, after nearly a year of searching, to give White the post of director.
A staff committee decided in late June that Johnson’s performance would be assessed between June 28 and the next meeting of the Civil Rights Commission on July 26 to determine whether he should hold the position permanently. Permanence, however, is a relative term for the department that has laid off several directors in a short period of time.
“As most of you know, this is our third attempt to get a permanent director for the department in just over a year,” Chairwoman Stacie Clayton said at the meeting on Monday. “It was decided that the department had gone through enough ups and downs, and so the goal was to get a permanent director as soon as possible so that the department can continue to operate as before.”
Clayton acknowledged that Johnson was a past finalist for the executive director position. She thanked him for working in the department despite the rejections.
“I told you this before, this delay is not a denial,” Clayton said. “If you are committed and passionate about it and play a role to be a part of it, it always works.”
Johnson put together a six-month work plan to guide the department’s progress toward a larger strategic plan drawn up by former Director White. The department has identified three priority areas for 2021: equity in education, equal opportunities for minority and women-owned businesses recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, and regulatory review.
Prior to joining MDCR, Johnson was the executive director of the Michigan Legislative Black Caucus, corporate advisor to the City of Detroit, and general counsel to the Detroit NAACP.
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