Ethnic Minority Affairs Committee


EMAC Logo

The Massachusetts Teachers Association believes that the diversity of our society enhances the lives of all individuals. The similarities and differences among people in regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, language, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical ability, size, occupation and marital, parental or economic status form the fabric of our society.

Excerpt from MTA Resolution on Diversity


MTA 2023 Juneteenth Celebration

Join MTA’s Ethnic Minority Affairs Committee and MTA members and their families to our second annual Juneteenth celebration on June 19.

learn more and
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About the Ethnic Minority Affairs Committee

Mission Statement

The Ethnic Minority Affairs Committee exists to advise the MTA Board of Directors as to the status, concerns, and affairs of ethnic and minority groups on a local, state, and national level. EMAC advocates for the identification, development, and empowerment of MTAs’ American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, Black, Hispanic, and other racial or ethnic minority (includes Cape Verdean) members.

Purpose

The Ethnic Minority Affairs Committee exists to advise the MTA Board of Directors, and to advocate for ethnic minority constituents within the Association. Specifically EMAC will monitor the implementation of the MTA’s Ethnic minority Involvement Plan.

Minority Involvement Plan A Message to MTA Ethnic Minority Members

Committee Members
  • Chair: Candace Shivers, Massachusetts Community College Council
  • Heba Abu, Cambridge Education Association
  • Naomi Akan, Canton Teachers Association
  • Jennipher Burgess, Lexington Education Association
  • Asha Chana, Revere Teachers Association
  • Claudia Fox Tree, Lincoln Teachers Association
  • Joe Herosy, MTA Retired
  • Lisa Hua, Palmer Teachers Association
  • Tammy Johnson, Equal Opportunity Council EOC chair (ex-officio), Education Association of Plymouth and Carver
  • Marisha Rivas, Braintree Education Association
  • Rosa Lopez-Whitehill, Member Ex Officio, At-Large Ethnic Minority Director
  • MTA Staff Assistant: Jenine Humber, jhumber@massteacher.org
  • MTA Staff Consultant: Jennifer DeBarros, jdebarros@massteacher.org



Members Ex Officio

Max Page, MTA President
Deb McCarthy, MTA Vice President

Get involved

“ If you aren't in the room, you don't have a voice. Be in the room.”

Former EMAC Chair Susan Baker