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Carol Johnson began working as the City of Austin’s first Civil Rights Officer on Feb. 16, 2021, and is responsible for leading the City’s civil rights enforcement efforts and directing the newly established Office of Civil Rights Department. 

In her role, Ms. Johnson is responsible for supporting department programs and initiatives related to all six of the Strategic Outcomes outlined in Strategic Direction 2023. The Office of Civil Rights Department reports to the Deputy City Manager and will develop and monitor a clear vision for the Office of Civil Rights, advance the City’s non-discrimination efforts, and promote outreach, education and awareness events for businesses and community stakeholders.

Ms. Johnson previously served as Executive Director of the Arkansas Fair Housing Commission, serving under the last three Arkansas governors in a bi-partisan capacity where she was responsible for establishing the newly created civil rights enforcement agency for the State of Arkansas. Ms. Johnson brings more than 20 years of experience in public administration and executive governance. 

“I’m honored to be appointed as the City of Austin’s first Civil Rights Officer and I look forward to the challenges and opportunities ahead in leading the City’s Civil Rights Office toward providing racial and social equity and inclusion for Austin residents,” said Ms. Johnson.

Ms. Johnson also formerly served as the Civil Rights Director (State of Oregon), as the Region X Director for the Programs and Compliance Branch of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and previously advised State Labor Commissioners on matters related to civil rights and worker rights in Oregon and Arkansas.

Other highlights from Ms. Johnson’s background include:

• Former Chair of the Arkansas Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.
• Former Gubernatorial appointee to the State of Oregon Public Safety Training and Standards Task Force created to address concerns of racial inequity in interactions between law enforcement and people of color.
• Former Mayoral appointee to the Portland Police Citizen's Review Committee, an advisory body to the Portland Bureau's Independent Police Review (IPR) and Internal Affairs Committee.
• Board of Directors of the International Association of Official Human Rights Agencies (IAOHRA), an international association empowered to provide opportunities and forums for the exchange of ideas and information among member agencies and other human rights advocates.
• Board of Directors at the National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC), a grassroots member organizations that works to create opportunities for people to build wealth. NCRC works with community leaders, policymakers and financial institutions to champion fairness and end discrimination in lending, housing and business.

Ms. Johnson holds a Juris Doctor Degree from the University of Arkansas School of Law and degrees from the University of Arkansas and Texas Christian University.