Blinken appoints chief diversity and inclusion officer 10 months after the role became vacant
Ten months after the role became vacant, Secretary of State Antony Blinken has appointed a new Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer at the State Department.
WASHINGTON — Ten months after the role became vacant, Secretary of State Antony Blinken has appointed a new chief diversity and inclusion officer at the State Department, according to a statement seen first by NBC News.
Zakiya Carr Johnson, an experienced race, social inclusion and diversity expert, will be tasked with building a workforce that “reflects America,” Blinken said in the statement.
NBC News spoke with around a dozen representatives and officials from various State Department employee organizations and groups, a number of whom were surprised that it took Blinken so long to fill a position that does not require Senate confirmation.
Although most supported Blinken’s efforts to elevate issues of diversity and inclusion, a number also said that they would have liked the opportunity to share their thoughts ahead of Carr Johnson’s appointment.
Chief among the challenges facing Carr Johnson will be “a massive retention issue at the department,” said Merry Walker, president of the Asian American Foreign Affairs Association. “Especially at the mid-levels.”
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