Governor John Carney Creates Equity Position after Citizens for Transparency and Inclusion Campaign Highlights Need for Accountability to Communities of Color

Citizens for a Pro-Business Delaware commends small step towards equitable policies from the Governor

DOVER, Del.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--On Thursday, Gov. John Carney announced the impending appointment of Saundra Ross Johnson to the new position of Director of Statewide Equity Initiatives, due to persistent pressure from Citizens for Transparency and Inclusion (CTI) and other concerned citizen groups to increase diversity and accountability in the state of Delaware.

CTI’s mail, print, and tv advertising campaigns exposed the Governor’s failures on diversity and equity issues due to the establishment’s embrace of the corrupt “Delaware Way” that rewards elites over everyday Delawareans. CTI’s efforts, including a more than $1.25 million spend, resulted in a groundbreaking general election where the people of Delaware elected new, diverse state legislators that will serve the interests of all Delaware’s citizens, not just the elite.

CTI built on the momentum from Citizens for a Pro-Business Delaware (CPBD), a watchdog advocacy group that has highlighted the glaring inequities in the state’s judicial system and exposed the lack of diversity on Delaware’s Courts. CPBD plans to continue its efforts to introduce common-sense reforms that improve transparency and diversity in the state’s courts and legislature.

Said Citizens for a Pro-Business Delaware Campaign Manager Chris Coffey, “We applaud the Governor for heeding the call to work for increased diversity in positions of power in his administration and hope this decision is a sincere effort to create a more diverse and equitable state government that is beholden to all of its citizens. We will continue to monitor this development to ensure that the directorship is appropriately funded and empowered to enact meaningful change.”

Citizens for a Pro-Business Delaware is a group made up of more than 5,000 members including employees of the global translation services company TransPerfect, as well as concerned Delaware residents, business executives and others. They formed in April of 2016 to focus on raising awareness with Delaware residents, elected officials, and other stakeholders about the unprecedented forced sale of TransPerfect. While their primary goal of saving the company has been accomplished, they continue their efforts to fight for more transparency in the Delaware Chancery Court. For more information on Citizens for a Pro-Business Delaware or to join the cause, visit DelawareForBusiness.org.