NYC Mayor Mamdani Appoints Campaign Ally to Head Office of Equity and Racial Justice

New York City will release its preliminary plan to address what the Mamdani’s administration describes as racial inequities in city government.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announces the appointment of Christine Clarke as chair and commissioner for the New York City Commission on Human Rights at Diversity Plaza in Jackson Heights, Queens borough, in New York City on Jan. 7, 2026. Jason Alpert-Wisnia/Hans Lucas via AFP via Getty Images

NEW YORK CITY—Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced his pick to address what he described as structural racism in city government at an event at the Harlem Community Justice Center on Jan. 15. The job, commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Equity & Racial Justice, is intended to ensure city agencies are accessible to communities that have been underserved or poorly served in the past.

Mamdani selected Afua Atta-Mensah, a senior political director on his election campaign, to lead the office. Mamdani tasked Atta-Mensah with producing a citywide racial equity plan by mid-April, within the first 100 days of his term.