Former Philadelphia Councilor Named Interim Chair of State Civil Rights Body
Gov. Josh Shapiro taps former Philadelphia City Council member Curtis Jones Jr. to lead Pennsylvania’s civil rights commission as the agency operates with just four of 11 authorized members.
HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA — Governor Josh Shapiro has appointed Curtis Jones Jr., a former Philadelphia City Council member, as interim chair of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, as the state civil rights enforcement agency continues operating with significantly reduced membership.
Jones will lead the commission’s four-member body, which has shrunk from the 11 members allowed by state law. The appointment comes as the PHRC faces ongoing staffing challenges following multiple resignations over recent years.
Background and Experience
Jones brings extensive public service experience to the role, having served three terms on Philadelphia City Council before his confirmation to the PHRC in January 2017. He also co-founded the African American Chamber of Commerce of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.
“I would like to thank Gov. Shapiro for the opportunity to serve as the interim chair of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission,” Jones said in a release. “The Commission’s work is more important than ever. As interim chair, I plan to work alongside PHRC staff to strengthen civil rights protections across the Commonwealth and to ensure every Pennsylvanian has the right to live, work, play, and learn free from discrimination.”
Commission Faces Staffing Crisis
The PHRC, which enforces civil rights laws throughout Pennsylvania by investigating alleged discrimination violations, has experienced significant turnover in recent years. When Governor Shapiro took office in 2022, only seven commissioners remained after several resignations, and the governor has not yet made new appointments to fill the vacant positions.
The situation worsened in April when two additional commissioners resigned. Executive Director Chad Dion Lassiter has also announced his departure this summer, adding to the agency’s leadership challenges.
Mission and Responsibilities
The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission serves as the state’s primary civil rights enforcement body, conducting investigations into discrimination complaints and working to protect citizens’ rights in housing, employment, education, and public accommodations. The agency’s reduced membership has raised concerns about its capacity to effectively carry out these responsibilities across the commonwealth.
Jones’s appointment as interim chair represents an effort to provide stable leadership during this transitional period. His experience in both local government and business advocacy positions him to guide the commission as it works to rebuild its membership and maintain its civil rights enforcement mission.
The governor’s office has not announced a timeline for appointing additional commissioners to restore the PHRC to its full authorized membership of 11 members.
