Committee forwards Shekiah Kitchens to full board for Homeless Advisory Commission

The Automatic Affairs Committee voted April 27 to forward the appointment of Shekiah Kitchens to the Homeless Advisory Commission after Kitchens told the panel she was motivated by personal experience and by the desire to bring youth-focused mentorship and outreach to the commission.

Kitchens said she had been homeless as a youth and described that experience as a qualification for a seat advising the city on homelessness responses: “I was a homeless youth, so I know what it's like to be homeless, and I wanted to also be on a board where there were decisions that were being made for the homeless.” Committee members asked about prior attendance at commission meetings; Kitchens said she had attended one meeting and had watched recordings.

Committee members praised Kitchens’ lived experience and outreach background as relevant to the commission’s work. A committee member moved to approve the appointment for favorable recommendation to the full board; the chair called the question and members voted “Aye.” The item will now be considered by the full board.