Council on Communities of Color

Committee Leadership Activites News Contact

The Council on Communities of Color (CCC) is CSG’s only self-identified member committee that provides a forum for state decision-makers to examine the unique challenges facing historically distressed and marginalized Black, Brown, Indigenous and Asian-Pacific Islander populations of color (also referenced as “BIPOC” communities).

Based in CSG’s Eastern Region (CSG East), the CCC explores a wide range of issues intended to promote equitable, improved, and sustainable public policy outcomes that enhance the quality of life for people of color and the communities in which they live. The purpose is to help achieve a diverse and inclusive governance model.

Committee Leadership

Kevin Parker

Senator, New York

Kevin S. Parker is a Ne York State Senator serving the 21st Senatorial District in Brooklyn. A lifelong Brooklyn resident, Senator Parker has been a Flatbush resident for more than 31 years. Elected to the New York State Senate in

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2002, Senator Parker’s professional background reflects a wide range of public service including years spent as the Special Assistant to former New York State Comptroller H. Carl McCall, a New York City Urban Fellow, Project Manager with the New York State Urban Development Corporation, and legislative aide. Senator Parker has also taught at several CUNY and SUNY campuses as well as Brooklyn College, where he teaches a majority of his classes and is a faculty advisor to student organizations and activities. At Penn State, where he received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Public Service, Senator Parker organized students for racial justice and encouraged diversity at the University. Parker is also a member of the Alpha Chapter of the Pi Eta Honor Society.

Joseline Peña-Melnyk

Delegate, Maryland, Speaker of the House of Delegates

Joseline Peña-Melnyk has represented Prince George’s and Anne Arundel Counties as state delegate for over a decade. After she got her law degree, Peña-Melnyk took court appointments to represent abused and neglected children, and to provide criminal defense for the

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poor. Later she joined Eric Holder’s U.S. Attorney’s Office and prosecuted criminals, building cases by working closely with police officers, witnesses, and victims in the community. Her committee in the House deals with public health and she has made great strides to improve the healthcare system by making it more efficient and in line with the needs of everyday Marylanders. Her legislation to digitize medical records is improving health care delivery and lowering costs. She has also moved many bills into law dealing with women’s and children’s health, including bills on family planning, mammograms, childhood obesity and suicide prevention.

Activites

State-level policymakers who are members of the CSG East are automatically members and participants in the CCC. In addition, the CCC offers opportunities for policymakers originating from or representing communities of color to participate in a number of special activities, initiatives and events, with the CCC’s consultant and director facilitating:

Media visibility opportunities for policymakers
Participation in both on-site and virtual panels and discussion on relevant topics
Research support for legislators
Communication with academic institutions for research and guidance, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs)
Participation of legislators of color in other CSG East committees
Learning from, connecting to and partnering with legislators in other CSG regions on relevant issues

Stay tuned for more special activities and events on the horizon. We look forward to hearing from you!

News

The CSG East Council on Communities of Color presents the State Legislators Of Color B|E Brief - Delaware

The B|E note, in partnership with the Council of State Governments (CSG) and with direct support from the Council on Communities of Color at CSG East, presents the “State Legislators of Color B|E Brief.” This is a regular summary capturing legislation introduced and/or supported by legislators of color and related to Black, Latino, Native American, and other communities of color in the United States they represent.

A CSG East MicroSummit: Will AI Close Achievement Gaps In The Classroom - Or Will It Widen Them?

Closing Gaps, Expanding Opportunity: AI, Technology, and Educational Equity brings together state legislators, educators, policy leaders, and technology specialists for a timely discussion on AI’s growing role in education. Presented by the Council of State Governments Eastern Regional Conference (CSG East), this micro-summit examines how emerging technologies such as AI can expand opportunity, strengthen learning, and close educational gaps, while addressing access, equity, responsible implementation, and the policies needed to ensure every student benefits.

The CSG East Council on Communities of Color presents the State Legislators Of Color B|E Brief - Connecticut

The B|E note, in partnership with the Council of State Governments (CSG) and with direct support from the Council on Communities of Color at CSG East, presents the “State Legislators of Color B|E Brief.” This is a regular summary capturing legislation introduced and/or supported by legislators of color and related to Black, Latino, Native American, Asian/Pacific Islander and other communities of color in the United States they represent.

NY State Senator Kevin Parker On The State's Energy Crisis And A New Data Center Moratorium.

State Senator Kevin Parker, Chair of the New York Senate's Energy and Telecommunications Committee, discusses how the state is navigating the energy crisis and reducing residential electricity bills. Thoughts on the state's budget outcomes, and a new moratorium on data centers.

Contact

For more information on the Council on Communities of Color, please contact staff liaison

Charles Ellison, policy consultant
Email: ccc@csg.org
direct: 301.526.2239