A Black Leader's Historic Journey in Michigan Politics

Making history as the first Black person to serve as the House Speaker in your state. That's exactly what Michigan State Rep. Joe Tate did when he took on this leadership role. What makes this even more remarkable is that it happened during a time when the Democratic Party controlled both legislative chambers and the governorship for the first time in 40 years. As his term draws to a close, Tate reflects on his experiences and responds to critics who question his leadership style. "You can't make everyone happy, " he says. "As a leader, you have to do what you believe is right. " His tenure ended with a notable event: the House needed to be called to order again after some Republicans and even a member of his own party skipped the final session days. This disruption prevented new laws from being passed as the Democratic control in Lansing was coming to an end.Despite the setbacks, Tate wants to highlight the Democrats' achievements. "We passed two balanced budgets on time, " he notes. "We also passed many useful laws that impact people's everyday lives. " As a former NFL player, Tate is no stranger to teamwork. "You have to bring everyone together to focus on a common goal, " he shares. "Being a politician is tougher than playing football. " Now, Tate is starting his fourth term representing Detroit. But another role has caught his attention—running for mayor of Detroit. "I'm considering it, " he admits. "My primary job is being a state representative, and I take that very seriously. But I'm exploring my options. " The deadline for candidates to file is April 22.