Central Nova News

The City of Alexandria has announced the appointment of Dr. Emerald Christopher as its new Race and Social Equity Officer, effective February 20. In this role, Dr. Christopher will be responsible for leading the City government's race and social equity programs and working towards ensuring that policy decisions promote equity for all residents of Alexandria.

City Manager James Parajon expressed his excitement about Dr. Christopher's appointment, stating, "I am delighted Dr. Christopher will be joining the City of Alexandria. I look forward to seeing her collaborate with City departments, employees, community members, and other stakeholders to help the City continue its effort to become an even more equitable community."

Dr. Emerald Christopher brings with her over 19 years of experience in higher education and U.S. policy related to equity. She has a strong passion for building inclusive and welcoming communities. As an Associate Professor of Women and Gender Studies at the University of Delaware and Director of the Anti-Racism Initiative, Dr. Christopher has used her academic knowledge to drive practical change. Through the Anti-Racism Initiative, she has led efforts to address systemic discrimination in various areas, including education, the arts, housing, healthcare, mass incarceration and criminal justice, and the environment.

Furthermore, Dr. Christopher has a diverse background as an educator and world traveler. She has served as the Au Pair Weekend Program City Director for New York City and Washington, D.C., for over 14 years. In this role, she has overseen the development of policies and cultural awareness programs for au pairs working in the United States.

Prior to her work in academia, Dr. Christopher served as a Congressional Fellow on Women and Public Policy in the House of Representatives. During her time there, she contributed to the creation of the Women's Economic Agenda and worked towards addressing gender inequality.

Dr. Christopher's credentials include a Doctor of Philosophy in Language, Literacy, and Culture from the University of Maryland Baltimore County, a Master of Arts in Women's Studies and Higher Education Administration from the George Washington University, and a Bachelor of Arts in English and Women's Studies from the University of Delaware.

The City of Alexandria is committed to ensuring accessibility for all its residents. If anyone prefers communication in another language, free interpretation and translation services are available by emailing LanguageAccess@alexandriava.gov or calling 703.746.3960.

Dr. Emerald Christopher's appointment as the Race and Social Equity Officer reflects the City of Alexandria's dedication to creating a more equitable community. With her extensive experience and passion for justice, Dr. Christopher is poised to make a significant impact in advancing race and social equity in Alexandria.