As longstanding and well-respected experts in their fields, the new appointees strengthen the City’s commitment to dignity and respect for all.
Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced three new appointees to the New York City Commission on Human Rights: Rockwell (“Rocky”) Chin, Guillermo Chacón, and Reverend Terry Troia join the agency as commissioners.
The New York City Commission on Human Rights, which enforces the New York City Human Rights Law, is helmed by Chair and Commissioner Carmelyn P. Malalis. The Mayor appoints unsalaried commissioners to the New York City Commission on Human Rights in order to advise in addressing issues of bias, harassment, and discrimination citywide.
“The New York City Commission on Human Rights has the duty of enforcing one of the most comprehensive human rights laws in the nation,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio “These new appointments will help us continue to lead in fighting all forms of discrimination. Rockwell, Guillermo, and Reverend Troia, all hail from different backgrounds and expertise, are united in their passion for achieving justice for every New Yorker.”
“I enthusiastically welcome Rocky, Guillermo, and Reverend Terry to the Commission as true examples of community servants,” said Chair and Commissioner of the NYC Commission on Human Rights Carmelyn P. Malalis. “Our new appointees are venerated and respected members of their communities who have worked in coalition across diverse issue areas. They will bring exactly the kind of diversity of experience and thoughtfulness the Commission relies on to tackle issues of discrimination in this City. I look forward to working with them as we continue to make the New York City Commission on Human Rights a venue for justice for all New Yorkers.”
“I am honored for this appointment by Mayor Bill de Blasio to serve on the Commission of Human Rights in our great city, particularly at this moment when our diverse communities are under threat,” said Guillermo Chacón. “I will bring my passion and commitment to ensure that our City’s Human Rights Law remains relevant and protects every single New Yorker.”
"I am fortunate to be living in New York, a city with a rich and fabled history of gutsy, visionary New Yorkers who have embraced and defended immigrants, workers, oppressed communities and marginalized people,” said Rockwell (“Rocky”) Chin. “These New Yorkers have contributed to making the New York City Human Rights Law one of the most comprehensive civil rights laws in the nation today. It is an honor and privilege to join Commissioner Carmelyn Malalis and my fellow Commissioners in continuing New York’s history of caring and standing up for all New Yorkers."
“The protection of the rights of all peoples to live the most fully human life possible is the most sacred and most urgent of all human action,” said Reverend Terry Troia. “If one of us is injured and their humanity diminished by discrimination in any form, the whole of us is wounded and all of us diminished. I will serve to protect the fullness of life for every person in this city.”
Each new commissioner brings a wealth of experience from various backgrounds in human and civil rights and will help identify issues of discrimination in their communities as well as encourage and foster positive community relations. Commissioners meet quarterly with the Chair and commission staff to vote on proposed and final rules and provide recommendations to the Commission.
Meet the new CCHR Commissioners:
Guillermo Chacón
Since 2010, Guillermo Chacón has served as President of the Latino Commission on AIDS, where he is a vocal advocate of the Latinx/Hispanic and HIV&AIDS communities. Under his leadership, the Commission has invested in community mobilization programs, which encourage community-based organizations to develop agendas on the top health policy issues affecting the health of Latinos in New York City. Chacón was appointed by Mayor de Blasio to the HIV/AIDS Services Administration and the Committee on City Healthcare Services. Governor Cuomo appointed Chacón to the New York State AIDS Advisory Council and nominated him for the New York State Minority Health Council, where he was later confirmed by the New York State Senate. He also serves on various Boards, including the New York Immigration Coalition, the New York City AIDS Memorial, advisor for the Alianza Americas, and co-chairs the Latino Jewish Coalition in New York.
Rockwell ("Rocky") Chin
Rockwell (“Rocky”) Chin is a retired government civil rights attorney and a current member of the Executive Council of AARP New York since 2016. He previously served as Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity at the New York State Division of Human Rights. Before that, Rocky served in a variety of positions at the New York City Commission on Human Rights. He spearheaded language, immigrant rights and disability rights initiatives in New York as an advocate and as an attorney. Rocky is a founder of the Asian American Bar Association of New York, former Civil Rights Chair of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, past Board Member of MFY Legal Services, Leadership for Asian Pacifics, the Asian American Arts Alliance and Yale Alumni Association’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force (2016-2017). Rocky has a law degree from the University of Southern California, a master’s degree in City Planning from Yale University, and a B.A. in Economics from Lehigh University.
Reverend Terry Troia
Reverend Terry Troia is President and CEO of Project Hospitality, an interfaith effort providing emergency, transitional and permanent supportive housing & services to hungry and homeless New Yorkers, where she has worked for the last 35 years. She is also the minister of the Reformed Church of Huguenot Park in Staten Island. The Reverend is actively involved in racial, economic and social justice work related to health, housing and educational equity, LGBT inclusion, immigrants’ rights and the right to shelter. Troia serves by appointment to the Governor’s Clergy Council, the Mayor’s Clergy Advisory Council, the NYC HIV Health and Human Services Planning Council, the NYPD Training Advisory Committee, the NYPD SI Borough Command Immigrant Task Force, The Richmond County District Attorney Hate Crimes Task Force, the NYC Council Gun Violence Task Force, the New York State Interfaith Immigration Network, and the NYC Supportive Housing Task Force. She serves on the board of directors of the Supportive Housing Network of New York, Homeless Services United, El Centro del Inmigrante, New World Prep Charter School, and Coordinated Behavioral Health. Locally she serves as President of The Staten Island Long Term Recovery Organization and is chair of the Staten Island Tackling Youth Substance Abuse Initiative and serves on the executive committees of the Staten Island Immigrants Council, Communities United for Respect and Trust, Staten Islanders Against Anti-Semitism, the Staten Island Inter-Religious Leadership, Staten Island Council of Churches, Staten Island Family Health Care Coalition, New Brighton Coalition of Concerned Citizens and the Port Richmond Civic Association.
The next Commissioner’s meeting will take place from11:30am -1:30pm on November 21st, 2019, in the Eleanor Norton Holmes conference room at the New York City Commission on Human Rights, 22 Reade Street, 2FL New York, NY 10007.
