CORE Announces New Commissioners and Drafts NYC Community Equity Priorities

Today, the New York City Commission on Racial Equity (CORE) unveiled the appointment of 11 out of 14 inaugural commissioners, bringing together a variety of experienced civil servants and new voices to champion racial equity and social justice.

These individuals will play a key role in advancing racial equity across government operations and increase community voices in government decision making. Established through the November 2022 ballot, CORE’s mission is to foster racial equity for all marginalized communities in New York City, including but not limited to Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) individuals, immigrants, LGBTQIA+ individuals, women, religious minorities, youth, seniors, people who are or have been incarcerated, and those with disabilities.

“When we came into office two years ago, we had a mission: protect public safety, rebuild our economy, and make this city more livable for hardworking New Yorkers. Every day, we are delivering on this vision, especially for marginalized communities, who for too long have been left out and excluded from the American Dream,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “I look forward to working with the commission to advance our administration’s day one agenda of advancing racial equity and justice — so everyone can participate in the prosperity and promise of our great city.”

“Advancing racial equity requires confronting long-standing disparities and the structural injustices that perpetuate them, which impact our communities and all New Yorkers,” said Speaker Adrienne Adams. “The New York City Commission on Racial Equity will be central to this work by elevating community voices in government decision-making that impacts their well-being. CORE’s engagement of New Yorkers to identify community equity priorities and hold agencies accountable to them is critical to fostering equity in our city. The Council is proud to appoint Commissioners, who are dedicated public servants, to contribute towards making New York City stronger and more equitable. I look forward to the work ahead and our continued partnership to create a safer, healthier, and more just city for all.” 

“It is my honor to appoint Reverend Kirsten John Foy as an inaugural commissioner of the NYC Commission on Racial Equity (CORE),” said New York City Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams. “Foy’s leadership will be instrumental in uplifting all marginalized communities in our great city. With his guidance, we are confident in our ability to prioritize community voices in government decision-making and drive meaningful change to advance racial equity for all New Yorkers.”

“Confronting the systemic disparities that threaten our progress on securing a just and equitable New York City will require bold, collective action, and I’m pleased to see CORE has appointed such a strong group of leaders to help guide us,” said New York City Comptroller Brad Lander. “Sadye Campoamor has brought her professional and lived experiences as an educator, community organizer, public school parent, and lifelong New Yorker to her role as Chief Equity Officer within my office. Her appointment to CORE underscores our steadfast commitment to tackling systemic inequities. I am confident in her leadership and expertise to drive meaningful change and address the root causes of racial disparities in our city.”

CORE is pleased to announce the following individuals as commissioners:

• Mayoral appointees:
  • Dr. Torian Easterling, Senior Vice President and Population and Community Health/Chief Strategic and Innovation Officer for One Brooklyn Health;
  • Drew Gabriel, Vice President Intergovernmental Affairs for CAMBA/CAMBA Housing Ventures (CHV); Appointee will also represent voices for people under the age of 25;
  • Grace Pyun, Strategic legal advisor to businesses and community-based organizations at GBP Law PLLC;
  • Ahmed Ali Uzir, Imam, Teacher and President at Iqra Masjid Community and Tradition Inc. and Auxiliary Captain in the 62nd Precinct.
• NYC Council Designees:
  • Adama Bah, Founder of Afrikana and representing the Bronx;
  • Cristobal Gutierrez, Lead Attorney at Make the Road NY and representing Manhattan;
  • Yesenia Mata, Executive Director at La Colmena and representing Staten Island;
  • Pesach Osina, Community Engagement Officer within the Emergency Services Division in the Office of the Speaker, New York City Council and representing Queens;
  • Francesca Perrone, Senior Policy Analyst with the Hispanic Federation, representing Brooklyn and people under the age of 25;
• Public Advocate Designee
  • Rev. Kirsten John Foy, Minister, Civil & Human Rights Activist and President & CEO at The Arc of Justice;
• Comptroller Designee:
  • Sadye L. Campoamor, Chief Equity Officer with the New York City Comptroller.

Further appointments are expected in the coming months to fill the three remaining roles.

For more information about the commissioners, visit the CORE website.

Central to CORE ‘s mandate, as outlined in New York City Charter Section 3404, is working closely with communities to identify and propose community equity priorities (CEPs) to guide New York City’s newly required racial equity plans and increasing community voice in government decision making. While crafting the priorities, CORE staff met with representatives from approximately 32 community organizations and city leaders to provide feedback on language and direction. Community equity priorities reflect three fundamental values in our city’s charter’s preamble, which outlines how NYC government should operate:

1) Our government justly values all talents and contributions;

2) Our government ensures the condition of thriving for every person; and

3) Our government embraces vigilance, remedy, and reconstruction.

“Advancing racial equity in the practice of government can only be accomplished in partnership with communities across New York City, especially communities who continue to experience the longstanding impact of racial injustice,” said Commission on Racial Equity Chair and Executive Director Linda Tigani. “New York City took a bold and necessary step to overwhelmingly vote in an independent commission that would center racial equity, community power, and accountability in government. I look forward to working with the community, CORE Commissioners, and government partners to advance a future of racial equity and justice for all.”  

“Today, New York City takes another step to further its commitment to building a more just and equitable government,” said Ana J. Almanzar, Deputy Mayor for Strategic Initiatives. “Our appointees bring diverse expertise and a shared dedication to advancing racial equity across all sectors. I look forward to collaborating with our commissioners to address systemic disparities and champion equity for all.”

Community equity priorities will help advance change in New York City. Over the next few months, CORE is partnering with community-based organizations, faith-based groups to host a series of community conversations across New York City to collect feedback on these priorities. CORE encourages all New Yorkers to have their voices heard in this process. New Yorkers and organizations can invite CORE to present at your local meetings or events, work with CORE to disseminate a survey to get feedback on the priorities, and uplift CORE’s social media posts to collect feedback through digital channels. New Yorkers and organizations can join this effort by emailing askcore@core.nyc.gov.

“As a physician, ensuring individuals and families can live their healthiest lives has been a lifelong commitment, however the reality is this cannot be achieved unless we come to terms with and address systemic and structural barriers, such as racism, said Dr. Torian Easterling. “I am deeply honored to be asked to serve as an inaugural member of the Commission on Racial Equity. It is not loss on me the monumental task that is being asked of us and I look forward to collaborating with communities and stakeholders to reimagine a city where everyone can live more equitable lives.”

“I am honored to serve as a New York City Commission on Racial Equity Commissioner representing Staten Island,” said Yesenia Mata. “As a Latina and daughter of immigrant parents, I understand the hardships that our community goes through and the needs that it has. I am proud to have served as a Racial Justice Commissioner in its inception to help form the New York City Commission on Racial Equity, where the community organized and made their voices heard on the ballot in 2022. I am committed to working alongside leaders and organizations, and just the community itself, to plan, not just for now, but the future.”

“I am humbled and honored to step in as a commissioner for CORE,” said Sadye L. Campoamor. “Fostering a more anti-racist, accessible, and equitable New York City is as much personal to me as it is professional. I was raised by a single mother in New York City, graduated from our City’s Public Schools, and am now a proud Public-School parent with nearly 15 years serving the public in various roles in city government. I am excited to amplify the voices of every New Yorker and am committed to bringing dedication, reverence, and determination to my role on CORE.”

“As a lifelong advocate for social justice and civil rights,” said Reverend Kirsten John Foy, “it is an immense privilege to join the Commission on Racial Equity.” “The fight to achieve meaningful change and dismantle systemic inequities is not. Along with my peers, we will work tirelessly to help create a city where all New Yorkers have equal opportunities to thrive and flourish.”

Read the full list of Community Equity Priorities on CORE website.

The NYC Commission on Racial Equity

The Commission on Racial Equity (CORE) is a new, independent, 15-member commission responsible for holding the government accountable to advancing racial equity in government operations and increasing community voices in government decision-making. CORE provides accountability for New Yorkers, regularly evaluating the City’s progress on its racial requirements and goals. Through its mandate, CORE will propose and prioritize community equity goals and outcome measures, advocate for historically underrepresented groups, assess citywide racial equity plans, track compliance, address complaints, and respond to the council inquiries on racial equity concerns.

Photo credit: HWM.