Little Rock City Manager Bruce T. Moore announced today that Ericka Benedicto has accepted the position of Executive Director of the Little Rock’s Racial and Cultural Diversity Commission.

“This is a pivotal time for race and diversity issues in the City of Little Rock, State of Arkansas, and United States,” said Moore. “I am excited that Ericka has agreed to join the City Hall team and play a key role as we move forward. In filling this position, I was searching for someone who had management experience, an understanding of diversity issues, and a commitment to innovative programming. Ericka has all of these qualities.”

Since 2006, Benedicto has served as an Employee Relations Specialist for Baptist Health. She also has served in Human Resources capacities for a law firm as well as a previous stint at Baptist Health. She has experience in diversity training and working with Little Rock’s growing Hispanic population.

Benedicto has a Masters degree from Webster University and a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Central Arkansas. She has also received specialized training from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, the University of Guadalajara in Mexico, and the Arkansas Dispute Resolution Commission.

As a community volunteer, she has worked with the Focus on Africa Organization as well as the Arkansas AIDS Foundation.

Created in 1994, the Racial and Cultural Diversity Commission focuses on its mission of promoting equal opportunity and the full exercise of civil rights for all citizens of the city. It is committed to dismantling racism and reducing prejudice within the city through modeling, education and policy development.

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