July 8, 2024

Dear Mayor Rex Richardson and Long Beach City Council,

The undersigned below are writing to express strong support for the reappointment of Alyssa Gutierrez to the Equity and Human Relations Commission (EHRC). Commissioner Gutierrez has demonstrated exemplary leadership in her last four years on the EHRC. Just six months into her first term, she was elected to serve as Chair of the Commission, a role she held for three years. Under Chair Gutierrez’ leadership, she made extraordinary strides to institutionalize equity within the Commission by championing the effort to update the name and purview of the commission to focus explicitly on equity and social justice, amending the ordinance for the first time in 31 years.  

Chair Gutierrez worked collaboratively to create a strong foundation for the commission, developing a 2-year roadmap, establishing a robust ad-hoc committee system to move the work, catalyzing the development of Bylaws, and establishing and strengthening relationships with community and community-serving organizations. Other notable policy recommendations that Commissioner Gutierrez led or co-led include:  

• Recommendations Regarding the Framework for Reconciliation Additional Funding  
• Transparency and Accountability in the Long Beach Police Dept
• Recommendations Regarding Cannabis Equity
• Creation of the Commission on Women & Girls 
• Facial Recognition Technology & Other Surveillance Technologies
• Recommendations Concerning the Israel-Palestine War
• Recommendations to Reduce Recidivism in the City of Long Beach

Commissioner Gutierrez is a reliable advocate who uses her privilege on the commission to uplift and center the voices of those furthest from power. Commissioner Gutierrez leads with integrity, curiosity and humility and continues to learn and grow every day. We have confidence in Commissioner Gutierrez’ ability to execute her duties on the Equity and Human Relations Commission and look forward to her contributions during the next term.