Mapes tapped for Human Rights Commission
KINGSTON, N.Y. >> The Rev. Donald Mapes has been appointed to serve on the Ulster County Human Rights Commission.
Ulster County Legislature Chairman David Donaldson announced he appointed Mapes to a three-year term on the commission on Aug. 3 Carl J. Brown, who has served on the Ulster County Human Rights Commission since 2013 and has been chairman of the commission since 2019, was reappointed to a three-year seat.
Brown is the vice president of the Ulster County Community Action Committee board of directors.
“Carl has a long history of fighting for the civil rights of all people,” Donaldson said in the press release announcing the appointments. “I am confident that Carl will continue to advance the Commission’s goal to prevent discrimination and encourage respect and tolerance among all residents and thank him for longstanding commitment to promote and protect the human rights of Ulster County residents.”
Mapes has been a Kingston resident for 65 years. A member of the city’s Police Commission, he is the director of education at the Savona V. Roberts Christian Education Academy, where he and his wife are also instructors. Mapes served on the Kingston Community Development Block Grant Board from 1994—2000 and on the Zoning Board of Appeals from 2014—2017 and has coached junior league football and Biddy league basketball in the city.
Donaldson called Mapes “an integral part of our community and a longstanding liaison between the Kingston Police Department and the Black community.
“He has led important community discussions that address racial division, trust, and policing to help heal divides between law enforcement and the citizens they serve.”
Donaldson said Mapes will bring a “compassionate voice of unity and healing to the Ulster County Human Rights Commission.”