NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC – Mari McKenzie, an Outreach Coordinator with the New Hanover County Office of Diversity and Equity, has been selected to serve on Governor Roy Cooper’s Advisory Council on Hispanic/Latino Affairs.
Established in 2017, the Governor’s Advisory Council on Hispanic/Latino Affairs provides insight to the Governor on issues related to the Hispanic, Latino, Latinx, Latine population throughout the state and how North Carolina can better support these communities.
“Mari continues to be such an important person in our outreach to our Spanish-speaking residents throughout the community,” said Chief Diversity and Equity Officer Linda Thompson. “Her selection to the Governor’s Advisory Council on Hispanic/Latino Affairs is a reflection of dedication to make sure these residents who come from other parts of the world feel connected to the place they now call home.”
Since joining the Office of Diversity and Equity in 2021, McKenzie has worked tirelessly to develop inroads with Hispanic/Latin residents in the area. Her efforts helped hundreds of individuals connect with health care professionals for COVID vaccines and testing during the pandemic. She was also a key figure in the development of the New Hanover County Hispanic-Latino Commission, as well as the community partnership to create the Cape Fear Latinos Festival.
In 2022, she was nominated by Wilma Magazine as a finalist for Women to Watch in the Public Sector category. She also received the U.S. Army’s Meritorious Public Service Medal, which is awarded to private citizens for outstanding service to their community and military families.
“I am truly humbled and honored to be selected for this role on the Advisory Council,” McKenzie said. “Being able to help people and get them connected with the services they need is something I take great pride in, and I’m excited to use my experiences here in New Hanover County to help Hispanic/Latin families on a state-level.”
For more information, visit Diversity.NHCgov.com.