Mark Jeter, AhhThu Nguyen just some of those named to the Equity and Diversity Commission
Katelyn WaltemyerSTAUNTON — Fourteen Staunton residents were appointed by city council to the Equity and Diversity Commission on Thursday.
Those selected for the commission will serve two year terms, with their first meeting scheduled for June 4.
The commission is coming to fruition after the assistance of Dr. Robin Stacia, Virginia Risk Sharing Association’s inclusion resident. The city used a $25,000 grant to pay Stacia for her guidance over the past several months, according to a release.
“The support of Dr. Stacia, City of Staunton staff and the community got us to this point, and for that, we are grateful,” Mayor Andrea Oakes said in the release. “And we are very proud to now be appointing a group of individuals who care so deeply about diversity, equity and inclusion issues in our community that they are willing to step up and share a large amount of time and energy moving the City forward.”
This comes just weeks after Vice Mayor Mark Robertson attempted to cancel the creation of the commission after council member Mead shared applicant demographics with The News Leader.
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The group will be in charge of “objectively evaluating existing data, studies, and reports from available sources concerning social and racial equity in the City of Staunton that evaluate social determinants and inequitable outcomes within the City of Staunton," per the release.
Commission members include:
- Lou Boden
- Sabrina Burress
- Joamarie Garcia
- Mark Jeter
- Vicki Keyser
- Jake Krug
- Lindsey Lennon
- Beth Nelson
- AhhThu Nguyen
- Nathaniel Riddle
- Daniel Stuhlsatz
- Jennifer Trippeer
- Susan Venable
- Zavia Willis
More:Staunton's Equity and Diversity Commission applications are open. Are you applying?
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— Katelyn Waltemyer (she/her) is the government watchdog reporter for The News Leader. Have a news tip on local government? Or a good feature? You can reach Katelyn at kwaltemyer@newsleader.com. Follow her on Twitter @Kate_Waltemyer.