UPDATED FRI 11/11:
In a release to the Erie news media, Erie County Executive announced that three of the remaining Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commission members were released from the board. They include:
- Tiffany LaVette, Board Chair
- Sarah Carter, M.D., Treasurer
- Gwendolyn White
The fourth and the only remaining commission member would be Brandy Cortes.
The following letter to the commission members released was sent to the media on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022 by the County Executive’s office.
UPDATED MON 10/24:
In two newly released letters to members of the Erie County Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commission, known as Diverse Erie, Erie County Executive Brenton Davis has ordered the release of two additional members, effective immediately. Davis sent a letter Monday morning to Matthew Harris, an official with the East Side Renaissance, as well as a letter to Adrienne Dixon, PhD, who sits on the board of an organization who has received a grant from the Commission. The latest letters follow as provided to the media by the County Executive.
ORIGINAL STORY – THU. OCT. 20:
At a media conference Thursday afternoon, Erie County Executive Brenton Davis announced the removal of the chairman of the Erie County Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commission, Gerald Blanks.
Davis was critical of the commission, also known as Diverse Erie, for the perception of self-dealing. Recently, Diverse Erie grants were announced, and two commission members, including Blanks, represent organizations that directly benefited from a total of $500 thousand dollars.
The County Executive stressed that additional minority communities should be considered for future grant funds.
Note: the following is the letter sent by County Executive Brenton Davis to Gerald Blanks, as distributed to the media.
