PROVIDENCE – Melba Depena, executive director of the Rhode Island Democratic Party and a former administrator for Rhode Island Kids Count and the University of Rhode Island Multicultural Center, has been named executive director of the city Human Relations Commission.
Mayor David N. Cicilline praised “Depena’s leadership skills, understanding of the community and deep commitment to social justice” in announcing the appointment.
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“The Human Rights Board has worked hard over the past two years to develop a strategic plan to strengthen the agency to ensure that it meets the current needs of our residents,” he said in a statement yesterday. “Depena’s experience as an administrator, consensus builder and community activist makes her uniquely qualified to continue this important work.”
For the past two years, Depena has served as executive director of the state Democratic Party. From 2000 to 2002, she coordinated the Covering Kids program for Kids Count, training school nurses in Pawtucket, preparing training materials for school administrators and implementing systems for the dissemination of health insurance information to patients. Before that, she served as coordinator for the URI Multicultural Center, overseeing the development of diversity programs and facilitating the center’s diversity-awareness training.
Depena has a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in human development and family services from the University of Rhode Island.
“I am thrilled that the Commission has selected me as its new executive director,” Depena said. “I will work diligently to ensure that the residents of Providence feel that they are treated fairly and justly.”
The Human Relations Commission investigates allegations of discrimination in education, employment, credit, housing, public accommodations and police-community issues, as well as complaints under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
It also works to promote social justice through advocacy, training and education. In addition, with the Providence Police Department and Smith Hill Community Center, it operates Camp Phoenix for city youths ages 11 to 14.
The Providence Human Relations Commission investigates discrimination complaints, police-community issues and complaints under the Americans with Disabilities Act. It also strives to promote understanding among the city’s diverse populations. To learn more, visit www.providenceri.com.
