In a new op-ed in the Michigan Chronicle, Jocelyn Benson marks Juneteenth by outlining how she will work to deliver on the promise of the civil rights movement as governor. She believes economic opportunity is key for all Michiganders’ ability to thrive. That’s why she’s developed a real plan to lower costs, raise wages, and invest in every community across our state—creating more opportunities to build wealth and build a future in our state.

Key point: “Juneteenth is a celebration of the promise of freedom finally reaching everyone. Securing the promise of this democracy is not easy work and too often leaders make big promises during campaigns and fail to deliver. That’s why today, I'm sharing a plan — to lower costs, raise wages, expand opportunity, and invest in every community across this state. Because every Michigander deserves to build wealth, raise a family, and see themselves in the future of this state.”

In case you missed it… 

Michigan Chronicle: My Promise and My Plan to Deliver

[Jocelyn Benson, 06/19/2026] 

Throughout my career, I’ve been guided by a simple question: What does it mean to fully deliver on the promise of the civil rights movement?

For generations, people fought to secure the rights and freedoms that too many Americans were denied. And while protecting those rights remains as important as ever, the unfinished work of the civil rights movement today is also economic. It's about whether every family can afford a home, access quality healthcare, send their children to great schools, start a business, and build wealth to pass on to the next generation.

Across Michigan, Black families, entrepreneurs, workers, students, and community leaders are already doing the work of building stronger communities and creating opportunity. The question is whether government will be a partner in that work.

That's the approach I've taken as Secretary of State. I traveled to every one of Michigan's 130 branch offices because I believe government works best when it listens. Together, we cut wait times dramatically, improved service for customers, and improved working conditions for employees. We also helped deliver two of the highest-turnout elections in Michigan history by working alongside community leaders, faith leaders, and grassroots organizations to make sure every voter could participate freely and fairly in our democracy.

Those experiences reinforced something I've long believed: when government listens, includes people in the process, and focuses on solving real problems, we can make meaningful progress.

That's why when I decided to run for governor, the first thing I did was release a plan to lower costs, raise wages, and invest in every community across our state.

Because economic opportunity starts with health. Black women in Michigan continue to face unacceptable disparities in maternal health outcomes. Every mother deserves access to safe, high-quality care before, during, and after pregnancy. That's why I have a plan to expand access to doulas and midwives, invest in culturally competent care, and ensure mothers receive the support they need. 

Economic opportunity also starts with education. Every child deserves access to a great public school, regardless of their ZIP code. That's why I've proposed replacing Michigan's one-size-fits-all education funding model with a system that recognizes the unique needs of different communities and ensures every student has the resources they need to succeed. Because we know what a school in Alpena needs is different from what a school in Saginaw needs which is different from what a school in Benton Harbor needs. 

And economic opportunity requires pathways to build wealth. For generations, homeownership has been one of the most powerful ways families build financial security and pass opportunity to the next generation. Yet too many Michigan families are being priced out of that dream. My housing plan will help more first-time homebuyers put down roots and begin building generational wealth.

The same is true for entrepreneurship. I want Michigan to be the small business capital of the world, and that starts with Black-owned businesses that have long been engines of opportunity in communities across Michigan. My administration will work to ensure those businesses have greater access to capital, contracts, and growth opportunities while cutting unnecessary barriers that make it harder to succeed.

Juneteenth is a celebration of the promise of freedom finally reaching everyone. Securing the promise of this democracy is not easy work and too often leaders make big promises during campaigns and fail to deliver. That’s why today, I'm sharing a plan — to lower costs, raise wages, expand opportunity, and invest in every community across this state. Because every Michigander deserves to build wealth, raise a family, and see themselves in the future of this state.

As governor, my commitment is simple: every community will have a seat at the table, every family will have a fair shot to build wealth and achieve economic security, and every child will have the opportunity to succeed.

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