Springfield, IL  (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – The co-chairs of the Massey Commission announced the names of fellow commissioners and workgroup participants Tuesday. The Massey Commission was created in the wake of the killing of Sonya Massey by a Sangamon County deputy in July.

“This is a true citizens’ commission with people from all walks of life and with diverse professional and personal experiences,” said Dr. Jerry Kruse. “The collective wisdom developed through those experiences will give the commission a broad view of the community’s needs and opportunities for change.”

The following individuals will serve as Commissioners on the 14-member Massey Commission:
Gerry Castles
Calvin Christian
Sunshine Clemons
Veronica Espina
Harvey Hall
Kathryn Harris
JoAnn Johnson, co-chair
Jerry Kruse, co-chair
Shadia Massey, co-chair
Sontae Massey
Susan Phillips
Kristin Rubbelke
Bob Wesley
Brian Wojcicki

More than 200 citizens submitted an application to be a part of the Massey Commission. “That gives me hope that this family tragedy may lead to real community solutions,” said co-chair Shadia Massey, cousin to Sonya Massey.

The Massey Commission structure also includes four workgroups made up of other applicants who will develop recommendations to the full commission. The following individuals will be recommended as workgroup participants for the Massey Commission.

Law Enforcement Hiring, Training, Wellness and Cultural Competency
Deborah Anthony
Tyshianna Bankhead
Evan Brown
Gerry Castles
Sunshine Clemmons,
co-lead
Mylas Copeland
Jerrilyn Dixon
Betsey Goulet
JoAnn Johnson
Ed Knox
Zach Long
Timothy Sommer
Ryan Williams, co-lead

Integrated Mental Health Services and Emergency
Response
Jenna Broom
Aaron Cahill
Emelie Cherrone
Sam Collins Jr.
Vinod Gupta
Deanna Harton
Dameon Johnson
Sicely Kluge
Sontae Massey
Penny Powell, co-lead
Krishna Taneja
Samantha White
Brian Wojcicki, co-lead

Community Education on Public Health and Safety
Susan Duke
Julie Hoffman
Elizabeth McGarry
Tyris McPike
Vanessa Nelson Knox
David Racine
Kristin Rubbelke, co-lead
Gail Simpson
Derek Stapleton
Chris Smyre, co-lead
David Vail
Bob Wesley
Jerry Kruse

Economic Disparities and Service Accessibility
Rick Brown
Sheila Caldwell, co-lead
Veronica Espina, co-lead
Pam Frazier
Harvey Hall
Kathryn Harris
Raynard Johnson
Jace King
Shadia Massey
LeGrand L. Malany
April Poole
Brad Schiave
Holly Thompson
Addison Wright

“The work of the Massey Commission will not be led by co-chairs and commissioners alone,” said JoAnn Johnson, co-chair. “We need workgroup participants, subject matter experts and an army of volunteers to get the work done in Sangamon County.”