Commissioners
Members of the Human Rights Commission
Joseph S. Reed, Chair
Chair Reed has spent most of his adult life working on civil rights issues on Capital Hill and at various nonprofits, including nearly six years at the Washington Bureau of the National NAACP. Currently, he works at the National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC) as their Senior Policy Advocate working with community leaders, policymakers, and financial institutions to champion fairness and end discrimination in lending, housing, and business. Commissioner Reed grew up in Fort Washington, Maryland and is a product of the Prince George's County Public Schools, graduating from Suitland High School. A proud alumnus of Hampton University, he obtained his Bachelors Degree in Mass Media with a concentration in Public Relations in 2002. He has also earned a Graduate Certificate in Legal Studies from Georgetown University and a Masters Degree and Graduate Certificate from John Hopkins University in Government and Government Analytics, respectively. Chair Reed was appointed Chair of the Human Rights Commission in January, 2025.
Keith Adams, Vice-Chair
Keith B. Adams was appointed to the Human Rights Commission in October 2022. A native Washingtonian and is a lifelong resident of Prince George’s County. Keith has been a Senior Executive in the Federal Government with multiple Departments and Agencies during an accomplished career of service spanning almost 40 years.
Mr. Adams earned a B.S. Degree in Marketing from Shepherd University (WV) and a M.S. Degree in Marketing from the University of Maryland. He has served as a Board of Director for Homeowners Association’s in Landover and Beltsville MD and is honored to serve as a Commission on this body.
He is the proud father of a talented and gifted son who recently graduated from Bowie State University. Finally, Mr. Adams serves faithfully as a leader at the First Baptist Church of Glenarden (FBCG) where he finds great joy in impacting the residents of Prince George’s County and all over the world.
Dr. Traci Birckhead
Dr. Traci Birckhead was born in Washington, DC. She relocated to Prince George’s County at the age of 4, so she considers herself a proud, native Prince Georgian. She was educated in the County School System from elementary to high school – attending Valley View, Owens Road, Overlook, Benjamin Stoddart Middle, and, is a PROUD Clipper as a graduate of Oxon Hill High School. She graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park and then earned her Master of Science and Doctorate in Human and Organizational Learning, with a focus in Organizational Development, from The George Washington University. She also has Masters Certificates in Event Management and Program Management.
Over the last 25 years, Dr. Birckhead has worked for a number of consulting and management firms including Lockheed Martin, MCI, Verizon, General Dynamics, SAIC, as well as other organizations. A Program Manager by passion and trade, she enjoys planning, implementing, and improving processes, policies, and procedures. She seeks to share her knowledge with others and is also comfortable standing alone when others are not committed to what’s right, honest, and just.
She served on the adjudication board of a national, not-for-profit organization whose responsibility was to review, adjudicate, and arbitrate appeals and establish policies and best practices for equitable and just enforcement. Dr. Birckhead and her husband reside in Bowie, MD.
Turkessa L. Brown
Turkessa L. Brown was appointed Commissioner to the Prince George’s County Human Rights Commission in March 2023. A Prince George’s County resident since 2006, Ms. Brown holds a Bachelors Degree in English Literature, a Law Degree, and a Certificate in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.
A practicing attorney for over 20 years, she represents clients in litigation, regulatory, and enforcement actions initiated by various government agencies. She is also a member of the First Baptist Church of Glenarden, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, and serves on the board of a few local non-profits. Commissioner Brown is a resident of Bowie, MD.
Caron Gillison
Shonda Harmon
Erika Jenkins
Sylvia L. Johnson
Sylvia L. Johnson was appointed to the then Human Relations Commission early in Fiscal Year 2020. A native Washingtonian, she has resided in Prince George’s County for more than 25 years. The founder and CEO of JI-Solutions LLC, a woman owned 8a certified Health IT and Biomedical Consulting Company, Commissioner Johnson is also the president of DC Technology Systems, an IT Cybersecurity company. Commissioner Johnson started her 18 year career in public service with the US Federal government with the NIH/NCI and the US/FDA as a research scientist, compliance officer, lead FDA Inspector and Specialist for the FDA Commissioner working on International Affairs. After leaving the federal government, Commissioner Johnson held executive positions with several Fortune 500 Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology companies. She’s a trusted strategic advisor and Subject Matter Expert/Expert Witness in her field. Ms. Johnson earned a BS Degree in Biology from the University of the District of Columbia and a MS Degree in Technology Management (Biotechnology Specialty) from the University of Maryland/ University College along with several professional certifications from the SBA & MIT. She’s the proud mother of one son, a recent graduate of Benedict College.
Erin Kabba
Dr. Ademola Moses Oduyebo
Commissioner Oduyebo earned a Master's Degree in Mediation and Conflict Resolution and a PsyD in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in Criminology and Justice System Studies. He is an effective Mental Health Clinician working with youth of all backgrounds and cultures. He has lived in Prince George's County since 1989. He has worked with domestic and international leaders and business consultants in a variety of industries and comes to the Commission with a deep passion to assure Prince Georgians that the County cares, that it is willing and ready to protect their interests through a fair arbitration process that could help in breaking impasses and overcoming resistance and hurdles. Dr. Oduyebo is a proud husband and father to four young men.
Regina Truesdale
Kayon Williams