Over the past several months, our country has seen the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis converge with a societal unwillingness to continue to accept deeply-rooted systemic racism. Communities of color are disproportionately impacted by police brutality, COVID-19, and the ensuing economic crisis, prompting leaders to address these entrenched challenges with new, meaningful solutions. Recognizing this, Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas advanced LA County’s first-of-its kind “Antiracist Policy Agenda” to ensure that the County’s investments and decision-making are driven by a need to achieve equity in its communities. Supervisor Ridley-Thomas will discuss this agenda, and share strategies for bridging communities in this moment of consequence.

Since elected in 2008 to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors’ Second District, Mark Ridley-Thomas has distinguished himself as a leader and advocate for structural change. Supervisor Ridley-Thomas authored and led LA County’s unprecedented effort to end homelessness through Measure H.  He is a board member of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Commission, and LA Care. Prior to his Board of Supervisors election, Supervisor Ridley-Thomas served in the California State Senate and Assembly, on the Los Angeles City Council, and before elective politics, served as the executive director of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Greater Los Angeles. He earned his BA and MA degrees along with secondary and adult education credentials from Immaculate Heart College and received his Ph.D. in Social Ethics from the University of Southern California focusing on Social Criticism and Social Change.