New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced on Thursday (October 26) the appointments of two civic leaders from his administration tasked with helping alleviate the city’s racial justice issues. 

Sideya Sherman has been named as the city’s chief equity officer and commissioner of the newly created Mayor’s Office of Equity & Racial Justice (MOERJ) and Linda Tigani has been appointed to the position as chair and executive director of the New York City Commission on Racial Equity (CORE). Both offices were created after voters overwhelmingly approved advancing racial justice and equity, which was first proposed on the 2022 racial justice ballot.

“New Yorkers spoke clearly at the voting booth, and this administration listened. The fight for racial equity and justice still continues, and I am proud to have Commissioner Sideya Sherman and Linda Tigani on the frontlines,” said Mayor Adams. 

“With this new office and leadership, we are tackling the root causes of racism to transform systems, address historic injustices, and deliver equity to our city.”

The creation of these offices fulfills the interests of voters who passed all three racial justice initiatives on the ballot in 2022. They included adding a statement of value to the city’s charter, the creation of a racial equity office and commission, and finding a way to have the city measure the true cost of living for city residents. The result of these three measures will lead to the implementation of a groundbreaking plan focused on pursuing the work of racial justice and equity for all New Yorkers. Sherman and Tigani will be responsible for leading the charge.

“This administration is proud to ‘Get Stuff Done’ and deliver on our promise to voters by establishing this new office and commission, marking a pivotal moment in our commitment to a more inclusive and just community,” said First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright in a statement.

Sherman, who brings nearly 20 years of equity-focused community and economic development experience, is excited to get started.“We have made great strides in addressing inequities through policies and programs, but there is structural work we must undertake to repair the harms of the past and bring about lasting change,” said Chief Equity Officer and MOERJ Commissioner Sherman. “I look forward to partnering with newly appointed chair and executive director Linda Tigani and the commission to engage New Yorkers and ensure our city fulfills its promise.”

Tigani, who has a proven track record of strategic planning and extensive experience in moving racial justice forward across the city, acknowledges that the country is facing a critical shift where new policies are changing the progress once made in the advancement of racial equity. However, she remains confident that her new position will lead to more equitable results.

“I am honored to work on behalf of New Yorkers, specifically communities who experience the impact of longstanding racial oppression, to bring their perspectives into the decision-making process,” said Tigani of her role as Chair and Executive Director of the Commission on Racial Equity. “I look forward to working with Chief Equity Officer and Commissioner Sherman to ensure that community priorities inform racial equity planning and action in New York City.”

The new Mayor’s Office of Equity & Racial Justice and the Commission on Racial Equity will do the crucial work to dismantle the barriers that keep people of color from advancing in New York City. They will work with other city offices and divisions to ensure the city’s future is a diverse, unified, and equitable one built on opportunity and advancement.