The Florida Civil Rights Association is rejecting the claim that State Attorney-elect Jeff Ashton needs more time to fulfill his commitment to appointing a diverse group of people to senior positions within the State Attorney’s Office.
At a press conference on Friday, Attorney Kyan Ware, a former prosecutor and spokesman for FCRA pointed out that, it has been close to six months since Ashton won election, but has failed to name a single qualified person of color as a member of his top-tier management team. Yet, he has already appointed several all-white persons to his senior management team.
“Mr. Ashton has had ample opportunity to put forward a group of people who reflects the diversity that he initially promised in senior management positions and he has failed to do that,” Ware said.
Ware expressed concern that Ashton had already filled all senior-level positions with white men and white women. He added that it would be insufficient to appoint minorities as “window-dressing,” with no true authority and who had little contact with the State Attorney. He also debunked the connection between the current lack of diversity at senior levels within the State Attorney’s office and Ashton’s recent all-white appointments.
Based on Ashton’s appointments thus far, Ware questioned the incoming State Attorney’s credibility regarding his commitment to diversity, a promise which was made throughout the campaign. He said the watchdog group remained concerned that anything would be done to bring about “meaningful diversity in those positions that carry great weight in the mind of the Chief Law Enforcement Officer in the Circuit – the State Attorney.”
Ashton’s historic victory in which he unseated a long-term incumbent, would not have been possible without the votes of blacks, browns, and women, he said.
“Why have you forgotten the people who put you in office?,” a fired-up Ware asked rhetorically.
Ware said the FCRA intends to hold not only Aston accountable to his promise of greater diversity, but all elected officials who make similar commitments and gain office with the help of minority voters.
“If you want the support of communities of color and you get it and win elected office, be committed to the promises you made,” Ware declared.
Ware said the FCRA had established a special task force to examine the city, county and federal policies on diversity, as it relates to employment and contracting with minority-owned businesses. The group was compiling a list of qualified persons, including minorities, for presentation to State Attorney-elect Ashton.
Today’s press conference was also attended by President of the Florida Civil Rights Association, J. Willie David, III, Attorney Esther Whitehead and Hispanic community leader, Jose Bosque.
