Brookhaven completes membership to the Social Justice, Race and Equity Commission

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

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Media Contact:
Burke Brennan, Communications Director
404-637-0709
Burke.Brennan@BrookhavenGA.gov