ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — A person working with the Community Reparations Commission has been tapped to be the next equity and inclusion director for Asheville.
Sala Menaya-Merritt will begin her duties with the city of Asheville on Jan. 8 and will spend her first three weeks cross-training with current equity and inclusion director Brenda Mills, who is retiring Jan. 31, 2024.
“Ms. Menaya-Merritt’s background in local government paired with her extensive network in the community and her proven track record serving in different capacities to support the Community Reparations Commission have positioned her well to continue the important work of the city’s Department of Equity and Inclusion, and I am glad that she was selected as my successor,” Mills said.
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Menaya-Merritt has 25 years of experience in government, ranging from city, and county to state agencies. Her roles have included manager of the Buncombe County Diversion Services Program, organizational development administrator for the Savannah, Georgia’s Human Resources Department, and Savannah impact director with the Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department. Earlier in her career, she worked in various community-based roles with the cities of Los Angeles and Hemet in California.
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Menaya-Merritt serves as the impact focus area administrator for the Community Reparations Commission, a contracted position where she has worked closely with commission members and city and county staff.
“The city’s Equity and Inclusion Department plays a vital role in helping to ensure our community is a safe, diverse and welcoming place where everyone can thrive,” City Manager Debra Campbell said. “We are confident that Ms. Menaya-Merritt will continue to build on the progress and strength of the Equity and Inclusion Department. I look forward to her leadership to continue momentum on several key initiatives that the Department of Equity and Inclusion currently has underway, including the implementation of the city’s Equity Action Plan and providing continued staff support to the Community Reparations Commission.”