The murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor in 2020 forced everyone in the country to examine racism and our nation’s failed attempts to eradicate it.  ADL was no exception. In the immediate aftermath of George Floyd’s murder, Southwest Regional Director Mark Toubin published an editorial in the Jewish Herald-Voice and represented ADL at his funeral. Board Chair

2021 brings new leadership to ADL’s Board. Mark Trachtenberg, Chair Elect in 2020, will succeed current Board Chair Nicole Nathan Gibson. Karen Westall, presently a Vice Chair, has been selected as Chair Elect. Additionally, Civil Rights Committee Co-Chair Martin Siegel has been added as a 2021 Vice Chair, joining Nicole Soussan Caplan, Robert Carlton, Elyse Kalmans, Kevin Kushner, Cheryl Lipshutz

The 2020 election brought many new challenges for Texas voters and election officials, including trying to keep voting safe for citizens during a time of high contagion in the COVID-19 pandemic.  ADL was at the forefront of securing voting rights. Specifically, the Southwest Region worked to ensure voter safety during the pandemic and challenged limitations on the number of ballot drop-off locations. ADL

In his first year as Regional Director, Mark B. Toubin appeared in over 50 print articles, twenty radio interviews and a dozen TV news interviews. Highlights include: KTRH – Domestic Terrorism Houston Public Media – Texas One a Top Location for White Supremacist Propaganda KHOU – Another Ugly Side-Effect of COVID-19 Dallas Morning News – Supreme Court Landmark Ruling Extend

Southwest Regional Director Mark B. Toubin was in high demand as a speaker on 2020. He spoke in person to or appeared virtually on over 30 programs, including Facebook Live presentations, panel discussions and organizational meetings. Highlights include: Asian Americans Salute Frontline Heroes: “From Vincent Chin to George Floyd” Webinar Unity in Diversity Amidst Covid-19 Nesti for Faith & Culture