Racial justice leader appointed as administration faces criticism over deputy mayor diversity
Mayor Zohran Mamdani Thursday appointed Afua Atta-Mensah, a veteran organizer and racial justice strategist, as Chief Equity Officer and Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Equity and Racial Justice. Atta-Mensah, who served as senior political director of Mamdani’s mayoral campaign and successfully boosted the candidate’s support among Black voters during the general election, now takes on responsibility for fulfilling a mandate for a comprehensive Citywide Racial Equity Plan. The appointment comes as the Mamdani administration faces criticism for lacking Black representation in deputy mayor positions, with no Black deputy mayors among the top leadership team.
Bringing Organizing Expertise
Atta-Mensah brings impeccable organizing credentials to the position. She previously served as Executive Director of Community Voices Heard, a racial justice nonprofit led by women of color and low-income families. She has worked for the Legal Aid Society, the Brooklyn Family Defense Project, and the Urban Justice Center, where she directed litigation and policy initiatives on behalf of vulnerable communities. Her presence in the Mamdani administration signals the mayor’s commitment to racial equity as a serious priority.
Delivering on Requirements
The city is required by a 2022 ballot initiative to produce a Preliminary Citywide Racial Equity Plan, but the Adams administration failed to meet this deadline, resulting in a lawsuit against the mayor’s office by the Commission on Racial Equity. Mamdani has committed to delivering this plan within his first 100 days, with Atta-Mensah coordinating the effort across city agencies. The appointment demonstrates the new administration views racial equity not as an afterthought but as central to its governance agenda.
Addressing Representation Questions
While welcoming Atta-Mensah’s appointment, some Black political leaders have expressed concern about the lack of Black deputy mayors in Mamdani’s inner circle. Tyquana Henderson-Rivers, a well-known Black political consultant, called the absence of Black deputy mayors damaging and questioned the administration’s commitment to racial equity. Kyle Bragg, former head of union Local 32BJ, attributed the lack of diversity among top leadership to Democratic Socialist ideology prioritizing class over race. Marc Morial, president of the National Urban League, noted that mirroring the city’s demographics in leadership is considered a basic requirement for modern mayors.
The Class-First Perspective
Mamdani responded to these concerns by emphasizing his pride in assembling a team focused on working-class New Yorkers and embodying that focus in personnel composition. The mayor highlighted that his administration includes Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels and Director of Intergovernmental Affairs Jahmila Edwards, both Black officials in significant roles. However, the deputy mayor positions, which direct major city agencies and serve as the mayor’s inner circle, remain without Black representation.
Racial Equity in Practice
Under Atta-Mensah’s leadership, the Office of Equity and Racial Justice will coordinate citywide efforts to address racial disparities affecting New Yorkers across housing, education, criminal justice, health, and economic opportunity. The office will work with the Commission on Racial Equity to develop a comprehensive plan addressing systemic inequities in New York City. The plan must be released in preliminary form within 100 days of the Mamdani administration taking office.
Integrated Approach to Equity
The Mamdani administration has interpreted racial equity not as a separate initiative but as integrated throughout all city agency work. This approach aligns with Atta-Mensah’s background as a community organizer focused on building power among communities historically excluded from decision-making processes. Her appointment signals that racial equity will receive serious institutional resources and leadership attention. The administration’s affordability agenda, including tenant protections, workers rights, and consumer protection initiatives, is framed as advancing racial equity.
Building Accountability
Atta-Mensah will report to Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su, ensuring racial equity remains connected to the administration’s affordability work. The chief equity officer role gives Atta-Mensah authority to coordinate across city agencies and hold them accountable for racial equity commitments. Her appointment suggests the Mamdani administration intends to move beyond symbolic gestures toward measurable progress. The appointment of CORE to guide racial equity efforts represents collaborative approach centering voices of color while civil liberties organizations ensure accountability and transparency.
