WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC) announced that former Representative Brenda Lawrence (D-Metro Detroit) will serve as Co-Chair of the coalition’s Michigan Advisory Committee.

“I am committed to growing a community of global citizenship, I have worked in my state to advocate for this and am honored to join this impressive group of leaders,” said Representative Brenda Lawrence.

Representative Lawrence joins Hank Meijer, Executive Chairman of Meijer Inc., as bipartisan co-chairs of more than 100 leaders in the state representing non-profit, business, faith, and veteran communities—including former U.S. Secretary of Energy and U.S. Senator Spencer Abraham, Executive Director of the American Arab Chamber of Commerce Fay Beydoun, Mayor of Rochester Hills Bryan Barnett, Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist, President & CEO, Michigan Economic Development Cooperation, Quentin L. Messer Jr. and, Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives Hon. Joe Tate.

“We are thrilled to welcome Representative Lawrence as our newest co-chair, alongside business leader and philanthropist Hank Meijer, of the USGLC Michigan Advisory Committee,” said Liz Schrayer, USGLC President and CEO. “Representative Lawrence is a terrific addition who knows the importance of America’s global leadership to Michigan families. As a former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, Rep. Lawrence has been a champion on a range of global issues, including PEPFAR, food security and strengthening women and girls. We look forward to working with both of our Co-Chairs to advance America’s role in the world that impacts our nation’s security and economic interests.”

“Whether global competition with China or threats like global hunger, what happens around the world directly impacts our communities across America and here in Michigan,” said Representative Lawrence. “I have devoted my life to the service of my community, and I am honored to help lead the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition’s efforts in my home state and join this impressive bipartisan group of leaders in supporting U.S. diplomacy and development programs to build a better, safer world.”

Representative Lawrence has a long history of dedicated service to the state of Michigan, most recently serving eight years in Congress representing the 14^th District of Michigan. She also served in local government in Michigan on the Southfield Public Schools Board of Education, the Southfield City Council, and as Mayor of Southfield from 2001 to 2015—the first African American woman to be elected to the post Prior to her government service, Lawrence served for 30 years in the United States Postal Service working her way up from letter carrier to human resources management. Additionally, Representative Lawrence has traveled all around the globe to countries such as Japan, India, several countries in Africa, Israel, Turkey, Jordan, and more, in an effort to advance U.S. diplomacy on the world stage.

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