HARTFORD, Conn. — The Connecticut Social Equity Council, or SEC, announced this week that it has chosen Brandon McGee as its new executive director.
The mission of the SEC is to promote and encourage full participation in the cannabis industry by individuals, groups and communities “disproportionately harmed” by the war on drugs, its website says. The SEC supports broad-based economic reinvestment in the communities that have been targeted.
According to a release from the SEC, McGee has experience as a nonprofit leader and is deeply committed to social equity and justice. The council is confident that he will help further and advance its mission.
“I’m thrilled that Brandon will lead our next chapter as executive director of the Social Equity Council,” SEC Council Chair Andrea Comer said in the release. “His decades of experience in policy and program, as well as his passion for empowering the marginalized communities will be of tremendous benefit as we implement our mission supporting equity in the cannabis industry and meaningfully impacting those communities most harmed by the war on drugs.”
Comer added that the SEC has a great opportunity to create positive change in those neighborhoods across the state. She is excited to see what McGee brings to the table.
In the release, McGee said it is a huge honor to accept his new role as executive director.
“My career in public service, as a legislator and chair of both Housing Committee and Black and Puerto Rican Caucus, has always been driven by a deep commitment to advancing for marginalized communities, and this opportunity aligns perfectly with my life’s mission.
McGee said his recent role as the Deputy Commissioner of Housing made him more motivated to make sure everyone has a fair chance to succeed.
“I am thankful to Gov. (Ned) Lamont and Commissioner (Seila) Mosquera-Bruno for the opportunity to serve our state in that capacity,” McGee said in the release.
He added that the mission of the SEC is an extension of his lifelong commitment to social justice and community empowerment.
“Together, we will work to rectify the injustices of the past through targeted community investments while continuing the work to build a more inclusive and equitable cannabis industry for all Connecticut residents,” McGee said in the release. “I am eager to collaborate with the Social Equity Council Board, our team, community leaders and stakeholders to create meaningful change and faster economic opportunities in our state’s most affected communities.”
Lamont noted in the release that the SEC was created to monitor the transfer of the cannabis market from one that was unregulated for many decades, operated dangerously and led to significant injustices. He hopes that the council will strengthen public health and safety oversight while correcting some of the wrongs caused by the war on drugs.
“Brandon, particularly through his service in the legislature and his role as deputy commissioner at the Connecticut Department of Housing, has spent much of his adult life serving as an advocate for those who have been historically disempowered and marginalized,” Lamont said in the release. “He has the exact experience and dedication needed to guide the council in carrying out the mission we envisioned when we enacted this law.”
Lamont said he applauds the members of the SEC for choosing McGee as executive director.
McGee was chosen by a hiring panel that included Comer, Senate Minority Leader appointee Avery Gaddis, Black and Puerto Rican Caucus appointee Melvin Medina and House Majority Leader appointee Ojala Naeem.
The release said three finalists were chosen to be interviewed, and the panel recommended McGee for approval. The council voted “overwhelmingly” to appoint McGee.
McGee officially begins in the role on Aug. 30.
“The entire SEC team looks forward to working under his leadership and (is) confident that he will guide the council in the right direction,” the release said.
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Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
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