Commissioners
Members of the Human Rights Commission
Joseph S. Reed, Chair
Chair Joseph Reed has spent much of his career advancing civil rights, economics, environmental justice, and equity-centered public policy at the intersection of science and community advocacy. He was appointed to the Human Rights Commission in 2019, served as Secretary during his tenure, and was named Chair of the Commission in January 2025.
Professionally, Chair Reed currently serves as Policy Director at the Center for Science and Democracy at the Union of Concerned Scientists, where he leads national advocacy to uphold scientific integrity, advance environmental and racial justice, and ensure that science serves the public good. In this role, he works alongside frontline communities, researchers, and policymakers to develop evidence-based solutions that confront climate change, systemic inequity, and threats to democratic institutions.
Earlier in his career, Chair Reed held key roles on Capitol Hill and within the nonprofit sector, including nearly six years at the Washington Bureau of the National NAACP, where he championed federal civil rights legislation and policy. He also served as Senior Policy Advocate at the National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC), where he worked to eliminate discrimination in lending, housing, and small business development.
A native of Fort Washington, Chair Reed is a proud graduate of Prince George’s County Public Schools, graduating from Suitland High School. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Media with a concentration in Public Relations from Hampton University, a Graduate Certificate in Legal Studies from Georgetown University, a Master’s degree in Government with a concentration in Political Communications from Johns Hopkins University, and a Graduate Certificate in Data Analytics and Policy, also from Johns Hopkins.
Keith Adams, Vice-Chair
Keith B. Adams was appointed to the Human Rights Commission in October 2022. A native Washingtonian and is a lifelong resident of Prince George’s County. Keith has been a Senior Executive in the Federal Government with multiple Departments and Agencies during an accomplished career of service spanning almost 40 years.
Mr. Adams earned a B.S. Degree in Marketing from Shepherd University (WV) and a M.S. Degree in Marketing from the University of Maryland. He has served as a Board of Director for Homeowners Association’s in Landover and Beltsville MD and is honored to serve as a Commission on this body.
He is the proud father of a talented and gifted son who recently graduated from Bowie State University. Finally, Mr. Adams serves faithfully as a leader at the First Baptist Church of Glenarden (FBCG) where he finds great joy in impacting the residents of Prince George’s County and all over the world.
Shonda Harmon, Secretary
Shonda W. Harmon, MBA, MPA is an accomplished Practice Manager and business leader with over two decades of experience in healthcare operations and strategic management. As co-owner and Practice Manager of Harmon Orthodontics, she has built a multi-million-dollar practice serving 100+ patients daily while leading a high-performing team. With a background in corporate account management at Honeywell, she led account management for key clients, exceeded sales targets, and cultivated long-term business relationships in the public sector. Shonda holds dual master’s degrees in Business Administration and Public Administration from Cleveland State University, along with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from The Ohio State University. Her career reflects a deep commitment to operational excellence, client satisfaction, and team empowerment. She is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., a Woman of Impact with Girls Inc- DC, and a former member of the Board of Directors at Bishop McNamara High School- reflecting her deep commitment to community service , youth empowerment, and leadership. Secretary Harmon was appointed to the Human Rights Commission in 2025 and elected to the position as Secretary shortly after her appointment.
Dr. Traci Birckhead
Dr. Traci Birckhead was appointed to the Human Rights Commission in October 2022. Born in Washington, D.C., she relocated to Prince George’s County at the age of four and proudly considers herself a native Prince Georgian. She was educated in the Prince George’s County Public School System, attending Valley View, Owens Road, Overlook, and Benjamin Stoddert Middle School. A proud Clipper, she graduated from Oxon Hill High School.
Dr. Birckhead went on to earn her undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland, College Park. She later completed both her Master of Science and Doctorate in Human and Organizational Learning, with a concentration in Organizational Development, from The George Washington University. In addition, she holds Master’s Certificates in Event Management and Program Management.
Dr. Birckhead served on the adjudication board of a national nonprofit organization, where she was responsible for reviewing, adjudicating, and arbitrating appeals, as well as helping to establish policies and best practices that promote equitable and just enforcement. She is a member of the Metropolitan Baptist Church and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She and her husband reside in Bowie, Maryland.
Turkessa L. Brown
Turkessa L. Brown was appointed Commissioner to the Prince George’s County Human Rights Commission in March 2023. A Prince George’s County resident since 2006, Ms. Brown holds a Bachelors Degree in English Literature, a Law Degree, and a Certificate in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.
A practicing attorney for over 20 years, she represents clients in litigation, regulatory, and enforcement actions initiated by various government agencies. She is also a member of the First Baptist Church of Glenarden, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, and serves on the board of a few local non-profits. Commissioner Brown is a resident of Bowie, MD.
Caren Gillison
Caren Gillison is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Rehabilitation Counselor who has proudly called the DC Metro area home since 2007. For the past seven years, she has been a dedicated resident of Prince George’s County. As the founder of InVigor Therapeutic Services, LLC, she provides accessible, compassionate mental health support to individuals across the region.
With over 15 years of federal civil service experience, Caren brings a strong sense of purpose and commitment to both her professional practice and community involvement. She serves as a board member of the Comsource Managed Homeowners Association and is an active member of the DC Mental Health Counselors Association, advocating for mental wellness and local engagement.
She earned her Bachelor of Science from Virginia Commonwealth University and holds two Master of Arts degrees from Marymount University and the University of the District of Columbia which reflect a strong foundation in both counseling and public service. Caren was appointed to the Human Rights Commission in 2025.
Erica Jenkins
Ms. Jenkins currently serves as Vice President, General Counsel for 5Star Life Insurance Company. She serves as primary counsel over company operations, advising on legal issues, and counseling on business strategies that advance the interest of her employer.
Erica is a Detroit, MI native and a graduate of the University of Michigan where she received her Bachelor of Arts in English. She went on to attend Wayne State University’s Master of English Literature program, where she completed a majority of her required course work before choosing to place her Master’s studies on hold to pursue her Juris Doctorate degree at Nova Southeastern University, Shepard Broad Law Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
After obtaining her Juris Doctorate degree, Erica began her career in the insurance industry. She worked as a field claims associate with State Farm Insurance Company and later transitioned to State Farm’s in-house counsel division as a trial attorney. In that role she litigated third party insurance defense and first party contract cases in the District and Circuit Courts of Maryland, as well as the Magistrate and Superior Courts of the District of Columbia.
Erica is a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Incorporated. She has sat on or been appointed to various boards and commissions, including but not limited to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Erie, the Salvation Army Advisory Board (Erie, PA), Northwest Legal Services (Erie, PA), Our West Bayfront (Erie, PA), The Erie City Planning Commission, the Erie County Bar Association board and various committees within the Bar. She was appointed to the Human Rights Commission in 2025.
Sylvia L. Johnson
Sylvia L. Johnson was appointed to the then Human Relations Commission early in Fiscal Year 2020. A native Washingtonian, she has resided in Prince George’s County for more than 25 years. The founder and CEO of JI-Solutions LLC, a woman owned 8a certified Health IT and Biomedical Consulting Company, Commissioner Johnson is also the president of DC Technology Systems, an IT Cybersecurity company. Commissioner Johnson started her 18 year career in public service with the US Federal government with the NIH/NCI and the US/FDA as a research scientist, compliance officer, lead FDA Inspector and Specialist for the FDA Commissioner working on International Affairs. After leaving the federal government, Commissioner Johnson held executive positions with several Fortune 500 Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology companies. She’s a trusted strategic advisor and Subject Matter Expert/Expert Witness in her field. Ms. Johnson earned a BS Degree in Biology from the University of the District of Columbia and a MS Degree in Technology Management (Biotechnology Specialty) from the University of Maryland/ University College along with several professional certifications from the SBA & MIT. She’s the proud mother of one son, a recent graduate of Benedict College.
Erin Kabba
Erin F. Kabba, a Bowie resident, is the CEO of The Oya Collective, LLC and an Instructional Design Specialist at a research firm in the DC area. She previously served as a Spanish Immersion Instructional Coach with the Delaware Department of Education and as a Spanish teacher for the State of Delaware. Ms. Kabba holds a B.A. in Spanish Education from the University of Delaware and an M.Ed. in School Leadership from Wilmington University. She currently sits on the board and serves as the Director of Events at Linked Africa, a nonprofit that provides mentorship to students and professionals across Africa. She is also the author of "Destroy the Mask: A Woman’s Guide to Unlock Her True Self, Live Out Her Purpose, and Leave a Legacy of Power". She was appointed to the Human Rights Commission in 2025.
Dr. Ademola Moses Oduyebo
Commissioner Oduyebo earned a Master's Degree in Mediation and Conflict Resolution and a PsyD in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in Criminology and Justice System Studies. He is an effective Mental Health Clinician working with youth of all backgrounds and cultures. He has lived in Prince George's County since 1989. He has worked with domestic and international leaders and business consultants in a variety of industries and comes to the Commission with a deep passion to assure Prince Georgians that the County cares, that it is willing and ready to protect their interests through a fair arbitration process that could help in breaking impasses and overcoming resistance and hurdles. Dr. Oduyebo is a proud husband and father to four young men. He was appointed to the Commission in 2019.
Regina Truesdale
Regina C. Truesdale was appointed to the Human Rights Commission in March 2023. Born and reared in Washington, DC, she has been a proud Prince Georgian since 1974. She holds an AA Degree in Corrections Administration, a BA Degree in Social Psychology, and a Master of Theological Studies (Urban Ministries).
Ms. Truesdale is a US Civil Service and DC Government retiree, having served as a Deputy Warden for Programs and Special Needs, the Policy, Compliance, and Accreditation Manager, and Reentry Programs Coordinator. During those 40 years of service in the DC Department of Corrections, she was also an EEO Counselor and Hearing Officer for complaints of employment discrimination and employee disciplinary recommendations. Later, she inspected and provided project management to federal, state, and private prisons and detention facilities for compliance with national performance-based operational standards. Ms. Truesdale contracted with the US Postal Service as an EEO investigator from 2010 to 2012. She was also licensed as an Assisted Living Manager in the state of Maryland, where she consulted with assisted living facilities and psychiatric rehabilitation programs as they prepared for licensing and/or accreditation surveys.
Ms. Truesdale served as a member of the Prince George’s County Citizens Complaint Oversight Panel before its reorganization in 2022. Ms. Truesdale has served as an officer with her homeowners association and is very active in The Shepherd’s House International Christian Church's social justice, missions, and faith-based community initiatives in Prince George’s County.
Kayon Williams
Kayon Williams is a compliance and fraud prevention professional with over 13 years of experience, specializing in safeguarding organizational integrity through thorough investigations, policy enforcement, and process improvement. She earned her bachelor’s degree from McDaniel College and completed her master’s degree in Human Resources from the University of Maryland Global Campus. Since beginning her fraud prevention career in 2012, Kayon has developed a reputation for her attention to detail, commitment to ethical practices, and ability to navigate complex compliance matters. Currently working within a state-affiliated university, she continues to apply her expertise to ensure fairness, transparency, and equitable outcomes across her organization. Commissioner Williams was appointed to the Human Rights Commission in 2025.