The Arizona Commission on African American Affairs wed an idea birthed from a workshop during a Legislative Conference called “Delta Day”., hosted by Senator Leah Landrum Taylor at the Arizona State Capitol in February 2002. The purpose of Delta Day was to educate people of color on the legislative process
Thanks to the hard work and tenacity of several constituents, organizations, agencies and l
egislator over the years, on May 10th 2010, the Arizona Commission on African American Affairs became one of the only ten Commissions in the United States to be legislated into state statue (A.R.S. 41-531-534). Our purpose is for many African American Leaders and communities’ throughout the state to join together as the voice of physical, emotional and spiritual realities facing Arizonans of African American Decent expressing constructive concerns to the leaders of the great state of Arizona
There are nine Commissioner’s assigned to nine Arizona Quadrants. Their mission is to listen to constituents’ opinions and recommendations during Town Halls and other activities held throughout the year. Quarterly stakeholder meetings allow for the sharing of local concerns with Arizona Leaders. The commissions on African American Affairs will give you tools to begin to discover solutions for our communities through articulating the needs and developing strategies. Together we can renew the dream, and with forethought and drive, orchestrate our destiny. Hosting this year’s conference is Community Education Services, INC. (CES). CES is a 501c3 Organization. The event is at the State Capitol mall in Phoenix Arizona
41-531. ARIZONA COMMISSION OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN AFFAIRS
A. The Arizona commission of African-American affairs is established and consists of the governor, the superintendent of public instruction, the director of the department of health services, the director of the department of transportation, the attorney general, the director of the department of economic security, the director of the office of tourism and the chief executive officer of the Arizona commerce authority, or their representatives, who shall be ex officio members, and nine members who are appointed by the governor, seven of whom are African-American and two of whom are not African-American. The term of office of each appointed member is three years. Each member shall hold office until the member's successor is appointed and qualifies. Appointment to fill a vacancy caused other than by expiration of a term shall be for the unexpired portion of the term. C. Members of the commission shall serve without compensation. D. The commission shall elect a chairperson and a vice-chairperson from among its appointed members and adopt rules for the conduct of meetings. A record shall be kept of all proceedings and transactions. E. Section 41-2955, subsection D does not apply to the commission. F. The commission shall meet at least quarterly on the second Thursday of the first month of each quarter and may hold additional meetings on the call of the chairperson. A majority of the appointed members of the commission constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, but ex officio members may vote. Members who fail to attend three consecutive meetings are deemed to have resigned. G. The appointed members of the commission shall employ, subject to chapter 4, article 4 of this title, an executive director of the commission who shall not be a member of the commission. The director is eligible to receive compensation as determined by the commission from monies available in the Arizona commission of African-American affairs fund established by section 41-533. The commission may employ clerical, professional and technical personnel subject to chapter 4, article 4 of this title and monies available in the Arizona commission of African-American affairs fund and shall prescribe their duties and determine their compensation.