Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives Brings Together All Ethnic Commissions for First-Ever Ethnic Commissions’ Joint Legislative Night

Over 235 Marylanders Join for an Evening of Diversity and Community

ANNAPOLIS, MD - The Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives yesterday evening hosted their first-ever Ethnic Commissions’ Joint Legislative Night. This event highlighted the collaboration between the Governor's Commissions on African Affairs, Asian Pacific American Affairs, Hispanic Affairs, Middle Eastern American Affairs, South Asian American Affairs, and the Maryland Commission on Indian Affairs – bringing together citizens from each respective community. Over 235 Marylanders attended for an evening of diversity and community, tasting cuisine from around the world, and engaging in conversation to develop future collaborations between communities.

“We are incredibly fortunate to have citizens from all corners of the world, and to learn about and share in their culture and heritage,” said Steve McAdams, Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives. “Our office remains committed to working with our commissions to ensure that all Maryland citizens have the resources they need to thrive in our great State.”

The 2018 Ethnic Commissions’ Joint Legislative Night featured: Maryland Secretary of State John Wobensmith; Lisa Sanford, Maryland Business Enterprise Compliance Manager for the Governor's Office of Small, Minority & Women Business Affairs; and Governor Hogan’s Chief Legislative Officer Chris Shank. Speakers discussed how their respective agencies are working to improve Maryland communities through initiatives and legislative priorities.

The Governor's Commissions on African Affairs, Asian Pacific American Affairs, Hispanic Affairs, Middle Eastern American Affairs, South Asian American Affairs, and the Maryland Commission on Indian Affairs work together with the Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives to connect Marylanders from their respective communities to state resources and to advise Governor Larry Hogan on the needs of their communities. The commissions also work to celebrate the culture, heritage, and history of their respective communities, and identify areas in which their communities can serve Maryland.