Genesis Ramos to Lead Newburgh’s Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Initiative

NEWBURGH – The City of Newburgh is pleased to announce advances surrounding justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. The Mayor and City Council voted in favor of moving forward with a vendor services agreement to work along these lines with lifelong City resident, Genesis Ramos. Ramos will bring almost a decade of experience within the nonprofit sector, as well as involvement in local social justice initiatives, to help the City of Newburgh achieve sustainable goals for equity and inclusion.

Ramos will work with the City Manager and City Council to increase equity in multiple areas of administration and government. She will define Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) areas for 2021, conduct surveys and interviews, and review data to help the City make strategic, analytical, measurable, and impactful JEDI changes within its practices and programs.

JEDI initiatives are especially relevant in our community and Ramos will create a foundation that will suit Newburgh’s unique needs. Data from Census 2010 reveals the City of Newburgh’s population to be more than 75% minority. These populations are also disproportionally affected by issues stemming from poverty, violence, and lack of/divestment in education and workforce development.

The City of Newburgh is just one of many municipalities across the U.S. that are examining government operations and strategizing JEDI practices that help create corporate cultural competency as well as programs and services that are inclusive and reflective of minority populations.

Ramos brings experience from extensive work with marginalized and vulnerable populations including individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities, at-risk youth, victims of domestic violence and human trafficking, and people living with HIV/AIDS.

She graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Masters in Public Administration from Marist College. Her graduate studies concluded with a capstone paper, Laying the Foundation for Equity Legislation, which focused on creating a strong foundation for equity through the creation of legislation in the City of Newburgh through a three-point plan that includes professional development, community engagement, and measurement/evaluation.

Ramos serves on the City of Newburgh Human Rights Commission, the Mayor’s Strategic Economic Development Advisory Committee (SEDAC), and is a member of the Board of Directors of Safe Harbors of the Hudson.