NEW MEMBERS BRING WIDE RANGE OF EXPERIENCE AND PERSPECTIVES
The Fair Housing Justice Center (FHJC) is pleased to announce the addition of three new members to its Board of Directors.
Kaaron Briscoe is an experienced theater artist, educator, and creative administrator with a background in devised/experimental works and over 20 years of experience working in New York theater. She holds an MFA from ART/Moscow Art Theatre/Institute for Advanced Theater Training at Harvard University, and currently serves as Associate Artistic Director of Lincoln Center’s LCT3 program. Originally from New Orleans, Ms. Briscoe was inspired to join the Board after spending years as an undercover FHJC tester investigating housing discrimination. “Where one calls ‘home’ helps to form their opinions about the world. Living next door to someone helps you see them as a person, rather than some abstract ‘other’. When communities are segregated it leads to a self-perpetuating cycle.” Ms. Briscoe stated.
Attorney Hannah Brudney is an Associate in the Litigation department at Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP. She previously served as a law clerk in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, and interned at the ACLU’s Gender and Reproductive Justice project. In addition to her law degree, Ms. Brudney has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and English Literature. She joined the FHJC Board out of recognition of the far-reaching aspects of fair housing, stating, “Access to housing can impact so many aspects of someone’s life, including education, job opportunities, and community resources.”
At CUNY School of Law, Will Jawde created from scratch their new department of Institutional Research, and serves as its first-ever Director. With multiple degrees in sociology and history and a deep background in social science research, data science, and statistical analysis, the Florida native brings a unique perspective to the FHJC Board. “The deeply entrenched patterns of segregation in the New York region and across the country are the result of a massive, coordinated, and costly effort by government and the real estate industry,” said Jawde. “The FHJC understands that overcoming the effects of this painful history will take an equally deliberate and organized effort, and I’m proud to be part of the fight.”
FHJC Board President Anne Nacinovich joined the full Board and staff in welcoming the new members. “We are excited to have Kaaron, Hannah and Will join us and bring their varied experiences and energy to the work of the FHJC,” she stated.
The twelve-member Board plays a crucial role in guiding and supporting the staff in the implementation of the FHJC’s programs and initiatives, establishing long-term organizational goals, and developing policies that align with the organization’s mission.
The mission of the FHJC, a nonprofit civil rights organization, is to eliminate housing discrimination; promote policies and programs that foster open, accessible, and inclusive communities; and strengthen enforcement of fair housing laws in the New York City region.