We are thrilled to announce that our very own board member, Christa Caceres and our Tobacco & Vape Free Program Manager, Nasaiah Hoskins have been appointed to the Governor’s Advisory Commission on African American Affairs. The commission gathers information on the experiences and needs of African Americans in PA and reports their findings and recommendations to address these needs to the governors office.

Christa is serving as the vice chair for the Commission and Nasaiah is serving as a Commissioner.

Nasaiah is excited to be starting his second term as a Commissioner and contributed the following Op-ed to share his thoughts about his role on the Governor’s Advisory Commission on African American Affairs.

My journey as a Commissioner began when I was first appointed at the age of 22. Eager to bring new, youthful, and innovative ideas to the table, I was determined to play a pivotal role in effecting change. Now, in this new term, I am excited and have been entrusted by my colleagues to take on the role of Vice Chairman of the Workforce Development Committee. This position not only empowers me to bring forward ideas but also provides me with the unique opportunity to lead impactful initiatives. I am grateful to be surrounded by leaders who view my age as an asset and not a barrier. Their trust in my abilities is heartening.

My focus is clear: expanding opportunities for Pennsylvanians to be well-prepared for the jobs of today and tomorrow. This involves increasing access and prioritizing the attraction and retention of young talent within our state. In this role, I will not just be drawing from my background as a social leader, but also from my experience in leadership development, where I have consulted with organizations by facilitating personal and professional development workshops and seminars, especially for our youth. Equipping both adults and young people with essential skill sets and helping them discover a sense of purpose is something I am passionate about. I look forward to leveraging these experiences in my role on the Commission.

As I collaborate with fellow leaders at the table, I am motivated by the understanding that our diversity is a strength. While we may have different backgrounds, we share commonalities that enable us to shape a brighter future for Pennsylvania.

In closing, I am excited to contribute to the vision and grateful for the opportunity to serve our community in this capacity.

– Nasaiah Hoskins

Read more about Christa and Nasaiah’s appointment on the Pocono Record website.