Roles and Duties

The Community Equity Commission (Bill No. 6759) was established to provide the Mayor and Board of Aldermen with an additional resource as well as special insight and guidance on matters of equity, diversity and inclusion.

The Commission shall serve in an advisory capacity to the Mayor and Board of Aldermen on ways to:

1. Promote community awareness and education on the value of diversity to the community;
2. Promote equity on the basis of economic status, race, color, religion, gender, national origin, ancestry, marital status, lawful source of income, physical or mental disability, familial status, sexual orientation, and gender identity;
3. Evaluate and develop actionable equity recommendations to be used to examine and strengthen policies, practices, services and programs, which will establish the Commission as a community resource and regional leader;
4. Promote responsiveness of government to concerns of all minority groups and others that may be subject to bias or discrimination in the community; and
5. Encourage the creation and continuation of community equity, diversity and inclusion awareness efforts, programs, and activities that are available and accessible to all community members.

Board Information

Members
7 members

Source of Authority
Section 140.040 of the municipal code

Members

• Christine Schmiz (Chair)
• Ben Uchitelle
• Frances Pires
• Stuart Berkowitz
• Ted Wheeler
• Lauren Rodriguez-Goldstein 
• Karin Schute
  

Ex-officio members include Cameron Poole of the Clayton School District, Joanna Schooler of Washington University, Rob Whitney of Commerce Bank and the Clayton Chamber of Commerce, Pastor Sarah Rugenstone of The Gathering UMC, and Kenneth Murdock of St. Louis County Government. Alderwoman Becky Patel and Alderman Gary Feder are the Board of Aldermen Liaisons.

Meeting Information

Normally meets on the second Thursday of the month at 5:30 p.m., 2nd Floor Council Chambers, Clayton City Hall located at 10 N Bemiston. Currently, meetings are being held electronically through Zoom. Links for the meetings can be found on the meeting agendas below.

Guiding Principles and Annual Reports

CEC Guiding Principles

2020 Annual Report

2021 Annual Report

2022 Annual Report

2023 Annual Report