Meet the Executive Director
“The challenge of social justice is to evoke a sense of community that we need to make our nation a better place, just as we make it a safer place.” – Marian Edelman Wright
Arthur Butler is a servant leader with 20 years’ experience as a progressive manager, community organizer and advocate. Mr. Butler brings a wealth of expertise in human rights, policy analysis, health and human services programs designed to improve human conditions and intergroup relations in the community - especially for those underserved, impoverished and marginalized.
As a cofounder and former Executive Director of a nonprofit organization in Albany, Butler has worked for decades to promote community empowerment via innovative and culturally specific initiatives grounded in equity and evidenced based practices. According to Arthur, “The life of those who came before and those who will come after me must be influenced by our stories. Not just how we got over but how we endure until the end, that we never lost sight, that we continued no matter how many times knocked down, we always got back up.”
Arthur believes in providing a solid foundation and uncompromising presence in community where all can live a life of quality, worthy of dignity while advocating and showcasing the inherent talents of an empowered community.
In addition to his local executive career, Butler has worked with national organizations and advisory boards to attain and preserve the civil rights of minority groups. His personal and professional focus is 'to address ways in which structural racism can be dismantled, while creating tools to improve the lives of those excluded from economic, social, educational, and political life in the United States'. He firmly commits to utilize his leadership to further the rich lessons learned from historical struggles and expand to contemporary quests for economic and social justice. Butler draws on a wellspring deeply rooted in service, family, community and faith to build a brighter tomorrow.
Meet the Human Rights Commissioners
Vincent Aiken
Miriam Cajuste
Philip Fields
Anthony Flower
Nikita Hardy
Patricia Hymes
Marva Isaacs
Zachary Kaiser
Elatisha Kirnon
Kimlee Marquise
Dr. DeShawn McGarrity
Dr. Steady Moono
Uma Persaud
Cole Plows
Christina Romano