Albuquerque’s Office of Equity and Inclusion Welcomes New African American Community and Business Liaison

ALBUQUERQUE – Today Mayor Tim Keller announced the appointment of Nichole Rogers as the new City of Albuquerque African American Community and Business Liaison with the Office of Equity and Inclusion.

“It’s essential that City Hall strengthens its connections with every community, and part of that comes from having strong champions of those communities on our leadership team,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “Nichole will further our efforts in supporting and making meaningful investments in African American communities here in Albuquerque.”

Rogers joins the City with experience in both the public and private sectors. Previously she served as a Staff Development Specialist with UNM Hospitals in the Department of Nursing Excellence. She has been active in community as an organizer and advocate for Black children and families in Albuquerque, including helping to plan Juneteenth celebrations, vaccination outreach events and other community issues. She received her associate’s degree from Central New Mexico Community College. Rogers was born in Las Vegas, New Mexico, and has lived in Albuquerque for 28 years.

"I am honored to serve my community as the African-American Community Liaison and look forward to working together to identify solutions to the challenges facing the many intersections of our community,” said Nichole Rogers. “I thank Mayor Keller and OEI Director Michelle Melendez for their vision and am excited to get to work."

In serving as a liaison with local African American communities and African American-owned businesses, she will conduct outreach and coordinate two-way communication with the African American community, business, and youth leaders in the City. Rogers also will use equity data and tools to evaluate policies and practices to make recommendations that help eliminate institutional barriers to equity.

Last year, Mayor Keller announced the One Albuquerque Fund will create a $1 million investment fund to support Black-owned businesses and job training opportunities. Also last year, Mayor Keller and the City’s Economic Development Department announced plans for the Minority Business Development Center.

Rogers said her superpower is removing communication barriers to promote effective resolutions. She says her passion is improving the experience of and outcomes for people of African descent in New Mexico and in the City of Albuquerque.

“It is imperative we have someone with strong ties with the African American community in Albuquerque so they can be assured that their voices are heard and that they have an advocate within City government,” said Michelle Melendez, Director of the City of Albuquerque Office of Equity and Inclusion. “We have such an advocate with Nichole and she will help bring those voices to decision makers inside City Hall.”

Rogers succeeds Scott Carreathers in the role. Carreathers will stay on with the City in a different capacity to oversee the It Takes a Village mentoring program.

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The mission of the Office of Equity and Inclusion is to inspire and equip city government to make Albuquerque a national role model for embracing diversity as our greatest asset. The office was created as part of Mayor Tim Keller’s vision to build a more inclusive Albuquerque. The Office of Equity and Inclusion is a recipient of a W.K. Kellogg Foundation Grant, furthering our efforts to increase equity across all indicators and diversity in the City’s workforce.