FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
April 28, 2023

Mayor Adams Announces Advisory Board to Help Guide City's Implementation of Racial Justice Charter Amendments 

NEW YORK – On April 17, 2023, New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Mayor’s Office of Equity Commissioner Sideya Sherman announced the launch of an advisory board on the implementation of the Racial Justice Charter Amendments, voted into law during the November 2022 general election.

See below for what they are saying:

“Having made history by voting overwhelmingly for racial justice and equity to be a charter-mandated government function and responsibility, New York City now leads the nation in taking formal steps to dismantle structural racism," said Jennifer Jones Austin, former chair, New York City Racial Justice Commission. “I am honored to work with Mayor Adams and his administration, and the newly formed advisory board on the buildout of the three historic measures that hold the promise of a more equitable and inclusive future for all New Yorkers.”

“I am excited to partner with the new Advisory Board to represent NYC’s most resilient communities,” says Udai Tambar, President & CEO of New York Junior Tennis & Learning. “A majority of the families we serve at NYJTL are BIPOC New Yorkers, and it is crucial that this new racial equity infrastructure ensures that they live in a society where they can flourish and achieve their fullest potential.”

“New Yorkers spoke loudly when they approved new measures in the City Charter to ensure that racial justice is not a mere consideration in our municipal government, but rather a core value that must be woven into the fabric of our governmental infrastructure,” said Sherif Soliman, Director, Mayor’s Office of Policy and Planning. “I am honored to participate alongside distinguished civic leaders on the new Advisory Board to guide the implementation of these groundbreaking ballot measures and am excited to play a part in realizing the vision set out in the new Charter preamble.”

"I am honored to participate in the new Advisory Board in answering the call of New Yorkers who overwhelmingly voted to ensure that all New Yorkers in every status will be able to be included in our great City’s efforts to improve the lives of all New Yorkers," said Hazel Dukes, President, NAACP New York State Conference.

“New Yorkers strongly wholeheartedly voted for measures put forward by the Racial Justice Commission. I am now thrilled to team up with the new Advisory Board to help weave these first-in-the-nation initiatives into the fabric of our City's government. By promoting racial equality and measuring the real cost of living in the City, we are ensuring that BIPOC New Yorkers are treated with dignity and respect for their contributions so they can overcome systemic inequities and thrive,“ said Jo-Ann Yoo, Executive Director, Asian American Federation.

"The City of New York is taking the next step in ensuring equity and anti-racism lives at the center of the way this city is organized and governed, and I am honored to serve on the Advisory Board to uphold the people's agenda," said Dr. Torian Easterling, SVP, Population & Community Health, Chief Strategic Innovation Officer, One Brooklyn Health. “We need long term structural change to ensure racial equity and social justice is actualized in our city. The measures, which NYers have voted on, have the potential to make a positive generational impact for black and brown communities and other marginalized communities in this city. And this is what we need to succeed."

"The racial justice measures passed by voters last November position New York City to be the national leader in transforming city government policies, practices, and procedures to be equitable and supportive of all city residents," said Phil Thompson, former New York City Deputy Mayor for Strategic Policy Initiatives.

“New Yorkers are ready for a new vision for our city. I am excited to join the Advisory Board to get to work advancing a racially equitable future through policy reforms that reduce barriers and promote a just city for all,” said Melva M. Miller, CEO, Association for a Better New York (ABNY).

“I appreciate the opportunity to serve on this board and address the systemic inequalities and barriers that have faced People of Color in our city for far too long,” said NYC Budget Director Jacques Jiha, Ph.D. “I look forward to working with my fellow board members to implement strategies across city government that will create a just, prosperous, and more equitable future for New Yorkers of color for generations to come.”

“I am honored to be appointed as a member of the Advisory Board to the commission focused on racial equity. New York has always been a city that welcomes all, but we must now move beyond tolerance to assure true equity for all. That is what the voters overwhelmingly supported last November when we voted to embed racial equity and justice into our municipal government functions,” said Carl Weisbrod, former Chairman, New York City Planning Commission.

"I am honored to be a member of the new Advisory Board on implementation of racial justice charter amendments. These racial justice measures, which were overwhelmingly voted for by New Yorkers, will lead to the creation of indispensable infrastructures for equity in our City, including our ability to measure the true cost of living in New York City. I look forward to working with my fellow Advisory Board members and Mayor Adams’s administration in putting racial equity at the heart of New York City’s government,” said Ana Bermúdez, former Commissioner, New York City Department of Probation.

“I am thrilled to join the racial equity Advisory Board,” said Grace Bonilla, President & CEO of United Way of New York City. “This is a true opportunity to build a more just and equitable city where every New Yorker can see themselves in the fabric of the city, know they belong and that the barriers that could rob them of their agency are acknowledged and they are being dismantled.”

“I am thankful for this opportunity provided by Mayor Adams, First Deputy Mayor Wright, and Commissioner Sherman to serve on this Advisory Board,” said Fred Davie, Senior Strategic Advisor to the President, Union Theology. “As one who served on the former Racial Justice Commission that proposed and advanced these amendments, I am eager to join my fellow board members to see to their implementation. Overcoming racial equities requires a systemic, systematic, and sustained effort. That’s what this advisory group and these charter amendments will provide once implemented. I look forward to providing guidance to this end.”