San Francisco supervisors accept advisory committee's reparations plan and direct creation of an Office of Reparations

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors on Sept. 19 accepted the final report of the African American Reparations Advisory Committee and moved to file a resolution directing creation of an Office of Reparations to begin implementing the committee's recommendations.

The action followed a daylong committee-of-the-whole hearing in which the committee's chair and vice chair presented the report's findings and more than 150 people gave public comment in the chamber and by phone. Supervisor Walton introduced the board resolution to accept the report and to push for funding and an office to begin turning recommendations into programs. The clerk recorded the matter as "heard and filed."

The committee's final report -- presented by Chair Eric McDonald and Vice Chair Tanisha Hollins and supported administratively by Human Rights Commission Director Dr. Cheryl Davis -- lays out more than 100 policy recommendations grouped under education, economic empowerment (including housing), health, and public policy. The committee recommended, among other items, a formal city apology, an Office of Reparations to staff implementation and eligibility work, investments in housing and black business ownership, education initiatives including support for historically Black colleges…