County's Reparations Commission receives its mission orders

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COUNTY NEWS

REPARATIONS COMMISSION

—DAY ONE—The first meeting of Alameda County’s highly anticipated Reparations Commission on Monday featured an overview of their assignment to rectify historical racial inequity in the county.

—“The folks in Alameda County need to understand the historical wrongs that were placed upon African-Americans and how that’s continuing to play out today in terms of affecting us as a people here in this county,” Supervisor Nate Miley told commissioners.

—“Our hope is that you will be able to accomplish your mission in the next 12-18 months,” Miley said. He later urged them to stay focused on remedying the issue only as it pertains to Alameda County.

—Supervisor Elisa Marquez noted there is not yet a funding source currently identified for the recommendations the commission may bring to the Board of Supervisors.

—The 15-member Reparations Commission’s scope appears otherwise open-ended.

—“Let’s start with the highest possible ask,” Marquez said. “If the first choice isn’t viable, let’s try to be as flexible as possible in providing multiple options.”

—One of the commission’s first official acts was to name Debra Gore-Mann as its chair, and Lori Cox as vice chair.

—Gore-Mann is the president of the Greenlining Institute, a racial equity advocacy group. Cox is the former director of the Alameda County Social Services Agency.

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