LOS ANGELES Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa appointed Melany Dela Cruz-Viesca as a member of the Human Relations Commission of the City of Los Angeles.
Dela Cruz-Viesca is the Assistant Director of the UCLA Asian American Studies Center.
She is one of two Filipinos who are members of the Human Rights commission. The other member is Art Garcia of Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV).
Mayor Villaraigosa appointed Dela Cruz-Viesca in that position last year.
The LA Human Relations Commission was founded in 1966 as a commission to develop comprehensive educational programs designed to enlist the cooperation of all groups in eliminating prejudice and discrimination in employment, housing, education and public accommodations.
According to its website, the goal of the commission is to "assist in assuring all people the opportunity for full and equal welfare and safety of all residents in the Los Angeles community through activities and programs designed to reduce discrimination, tension, and violence, and to advance improved intergroup relations. The Commission supports efforts to create a city free of racism and violence where residents may live and work in an environment of respect, mutual tolerance, and human diversity."
Dela Cruz-Viesca also serves as the Managing Editor of AAPI Nexus, a nationwide journal published by the Asian American Studies Center focusing on Asian American and Pacific Islanders policy, practice, and community issues, as well as the coordinator and researcher of the Center’s Census Information Center, a joint partnership with the National Coalition of Asian Pacific American Community Development (CAPACD) and the US Census Bureau.
She has authored numerous articles on Asian Pacific American demographics, community and economic development, affordable housing and homeownership, small business development, and educational issues, according to UCLA.
She also serves as a member of the "Diverse Voices On Assets Clearinghouse" part of Closing the Racial Wealth Gap Convening by the Insight Center for Community Economic Development.
She is also a member of the US Census Bureau, National Census Information Center Program Steering Committee and serves on the Board of Directors for the Association for the Advancement of Filipino Arts and Culture.
Dela Cruz-Viesca holds a master’s degree in urban planning from UCLA and a bachelor’s degree in ethnic studies and urban studies and planning from UC San Diego.
( Published November 18, 2009 in Asian Journal Los Angeles p. B2 )
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