Brian Coddington, Communications Director, 509.625.6740
Thursday, June 8, 2023 at 12:38 p.m.
Mayor Nadine Woodward appointed Jerrall Haynes, who has spent more than a year developing the framework for the Office of Civil Rights, Equity, and Inclusion as its first full-time director.
Haynes, a former Spokane Public Schools board member, was selected from among candidates from numerous states and following a process that included community involvement in developing the job description, recruitment, and candidate interviews. His appointment is expected to be considered by the City Council on Monday.
“Jerrall has the right combination of experience, community trust, and a disarming balanced approach,” Woodward said. “He is the right person to lead this work and build this office.”
Haynes started with the City in 2020 as the community court coordinator and became the civil rights coordinator in October 2021. He was an equal opportunity officer in the U.S. Air Force for seven years.
“I am passionate about helping impacted community members access and understand the tools necessary to maintain or transition to a healthy place in life,” Haynes said. “I’m excited by the opportunity to keep building what I started.”
Haynes served on the Spokane Public Schools Board of Directors for six years and finished as the board president. Haynes also worked for three years as a peer support specialist at Excelsior Youth Center.
