Brookhaven Completes Membership To The Social Justice, Race And Equity Commission

Press release from the City of Brookhaven:

Brookhaven, GA, Nov. 13, 2020 –

Brookhaven, GA, Nov. 13, 2020 – At its regular business meeting on Nov. 10, the City of Brookhaven appointed five additional members to its new Social Justice, Race and Equity Commission, bringing the total on the committee to 37. The City Council approved a resolution establishing the Commission in September and appointed the first 31 members on Oct. 27.

The Council appointed John J. Funny as the Chair of the Commission prior to naming the volunteer members, who were required to complete an application process. Funny serves on the City’s Planning Commission and the board of the Brookhaven Police Foundation.

The new members are: Aixa Pascual, Mohammed Zaki Arifulla, Rudy Beserra, Ruben Cruz, and German Barreda.

“In light of recent unrest and demonstrations, we felt it necessary to not only start a conversation, but also enact a framework that will result in real action,” said District 3 Councilwoman Madeleine Simmons. “We need a forum to have open conversations on race, diversity, social justice and equity. I look forward to the Commission’s discussions, proposed initiatives and recommendations.”

“As a young City, we have had a lot of experience, and considerable success, in developing planning documents with extensive public input that guides policy making and budget decisions. However, the Brookhaven Social Justice, Race and Equity Commission is arguably more important than any other planning process the City has undertaken. The members of the Social Justice, Race and Equity Commission not only represent the diverse demographics of Brookhaven, but each brings to the table their experiences, training and passion in the areas of inclusion, equity, and community engagement,” said Mayor John Ernst. “Society’s inequities are based a variety of factors, including disparities in treatment and opportunity based upon race, age, ethnicity, gender identity, and religious affiliation. I am looking forward to these discussions as the commission undertakes its important work.”

More information about the Brookhaven Social Justice, Race and Equity Commission can be found here: https://www.brookhavenga.gov/bc/page/social-justice-race-and-equity-commission

The complete list of committee members includes:

Name

Affiliation

John Funny

Committee Chairman

David Alexander

Spiritual Director at Spiritual Living Center of Atlanta

Rene Alvarez

Director of Academic Success and Advising at Oglethorpe University

Shahrukh Arif

Asian Americans Advancing Justice Foundation Boardmember

Mohammed Zaki Arifulla

Brookhaven Islamic Center

German Barreda

General Manager, Big Bang Pizza

Rudy Beserra

Former Vice President of Latin American Affairs at the Coca Cola Co.

Charlene Bowden

CEO, Host, Minister

Davis Burnett

Previous church leadership on diverse college ministry, former law enforcement

Vena Cain

Social work, psychotherapist, experience with refugee families placed in Atlanta

Karen Cariello

Justice and Peace Ministry, Our Lady of Assumption

Loren Collins

Attorney, mediator

Chris Corces-Zimmerman

Doctoral studies with a focus on Race and Equity at Univ. of Ariz.

Amy Corn

United Way of Greater Atlanta, Racial Equity Task Force member

Ruben Cruz

Attorney, specializing in Hispanic legal issues

Jose Hardy

2020 LLS Team IN Training Executive Leadership Committee Member

Josh Hearshen

Rabbi at Congregation Or VeShalom

Jeremiah Hinson

Social Services Program Mgr, Salvation Army

Monique Wright Hudson

EPA Attorney, specializing in discrimination and desperate treatment

Danita Knight

VP Communications, Agnes Scott College

Tywana Minor

Habitat ofr Humanity, Sr, Dir. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Jim Moses

Retired Publishing Specialist IRS

Catherine Murihi-wohl

Board of Directors at Sagal Radio, serving refugees and immigrants

William Naglich

Managing attorney

Kirk Nelson

Former Pres. Caribbean Students Association, Leader of diversity recruiting at Georgia Pacific

Janis Niesse

Justice and Peace Ministry, Our Lady of Assumption

Melissa Owen

Emory University School of Nursing

Matthew Paetzhold

Delta Air Lines/US Air Force Reserve

Marco Palma

Founding President, Los Vecinos, Board of Fundacion Adelante Guatemala

Aixa Pascual

Latin American Association

Tiffany Russell

St. Martins School, Director of Diversity and Inclusion

William Alex Thomas

GA State Univ. Assistant Dir. of Admissions

Conni Todd

Board of Trustees for Sub-Saharan Education Project

Anibal Torres

Former Executive Director at the Latin American Association

Kathy Wells

Retired Montclaire Elementary School Principal, Chair of Lynwood Park Foundation

Beth Wendl

Senior Minister, Brookhaven Christian Church, Racial Reconciliation Commission

Thomas Woodward

Spiritual Living Center Atlanta (SLCA) Board of Trustees

This press release was produced by the City of Brookhaven. The views expressed here are the author’s own.