Last year the Prince William County Board of Supervisors finalized appointments for the Racial and Social Justice Commission. Consisting of one member from each district, including at large member Jahanzeb Akbar, the commission will explore solutions to inequities within the county’s communities of color. In addition to the appointed members, there are representatives from the school board (Vice Chairwoman Loree Williams) as well as Acting Chief of Police Jarad Phelps, County Executive Chris Martino, and Human Rights Chair Curtis Porter.

Yesterday the commission had their initial meeting at the Dr. A.J. Ferlazzo building in Woodbridge to address several issues. Among them were the official installation of their leadership. Shantell Rock was appointed as Chair of the commission, while Akbar was appointed as Vice Chair. They will serve in their positions for one year.

There are also three committees that were established during the meeting. They will be defined as the Workforce, Education and Policing for Communities of Color. These committees will feature reports from subject matter experts in these categories and how these communities are being impacted.

The meetings will now take place on the third Thursdays of each month, beginning in March at the aforementioned Ferlazzo building. There are plans to make the meetings virtual but it is still in the works. Next month will feature a listening session from the heads of local organizations such as the NAACP on issues within the community and how the commission can address them.

The commission will send a report back to the Board of County Supervisors in December with their findings.