Democratic New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani named Afua Atta-Mensah as the city’s new Chief Equity Officer and commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Equity & Racial Justice on Thursday.
Mamdani, a 34-year-old Ugandan-born, Indian-descent avowed socialist, was sworn into office on Jan. 1 and has been appointing allies to key posts since taking power. In a social media post, Mamdani announced appointing Atta-Mensah and said she built her career serving communities that rarely gain access to decision-makers. He tasked her with carrying that focus across city government.
Today, I appointed Afua Atta-Mensah as the Chief Equity Officer and Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Equity & Racial Justice.
Afua has dedicated her career to serving the New Yorkers who are so often forgotten in the halls of power. In this new role, she will advance that… pic.twitter.com/rNxfAsPgH8
— Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) January 15, 2026
“Afua has dedicated her career to serving the New Yorkers who are so often forgotten in the halls of power. In this new role, she will advance that mission across our government and deliver a more equitable city for all,” Mamdani wrote. “That work starts with finally fulfilling the city’s promise of a Preliminary Citywide Racial Equity Plan and embracing the diverse fabric that makes our city special.”
By the time Mamdani announced Atta-Mensah’s appointment Thursday, her X account had been deactivated, the New York Post reported. City Hall said the administration does not require newly appointed officials to delete their social media accounts.
Mayor-Elect Mamdani has announced Catherine (Cat) Almonte Da Costa as his Director of Appointments, tasked with “bring[ing] top talent into this administration.”
Her social media footprint includes posts from more than a decade ago that echo classic antisemitic tropes and… pic.twitter.com/fMe2zMuphA
— ADL New York / New Jersey (@ADL_NYNJ) December 18, 2025
Mamdani’s selections to help lead his administration have raised questions about its vetting process for public service candidates, after a previous top aide resigned one day into the job. Catherine Almonte Da Costa stepped down as director of appointments after the Anti-Defamation League of New York and New Jersey flagged past X posts described as antisemitic rhetoric.
Posts from 2011 and 2012 showed Da Costa referring to “money hungry Jews,” calling a subway line the “Jew train,” and making remarks about working with “rich Jewish peeps.” The Anti-Defamation League said the posts were indefensible and called for an explanation from both Da Costa and Mamdani, after which the posts were deleted and her account was taken offline later.
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