Christopher Burtley of Flint and Kathy Purnell of Kalamazoo have been appointed to the Black Leadership Advisory Council by Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
Burtley is an attorney with Barnes and Thornburg LLP. He earned a bachelor of arts in international relations from Michigan State University's James Madison College and a law degree from the University of Michigan Law School. Burtley is reappointed to represent Black leadership in law and a member between the ages of 18-35 for a term commencing April 26, 2022 and expiring December 31, 2024.
Purnell is the principal and founding attorney of the Human/Civil Rights Law Center and senior coordinator of advocacy and intake for the Fair Housing Center of Southwest Michigan. She earned a bachelor of arts in government from Harvard University, a Ph.D. in government from Cornell University, and a law degree from the DePaul University College of Law. Purnell is reappointed to represent Black leadership in law and a member who is an immigrant or individual with expertise in immigration policy. She will serve for a term commencing April 26, 2022 and expiring December 31, 2024.
