Monticello, NY – Sullivan County Manager Joshua Potosek is pleased to announce his appointment of Ramone E. Wilson as the new Executive Director of the Sullivan County Human Rights Commission.
“Ramone is very experienced in ‘meeting people where they’re at,’ by providing both services and an open ear to those in need,” Potosek related. “Our search for Sullivan County’s first full-time Human Rights Executive Director dovetailed with his quest to constantly make a meaningful difference in people’s lives, and I’m excited to see how he and the commissioners will revitalize this department, not just with human rights but also with consumer affairs.”
“I’m grateful the County Manager has placed his trust and confidence in me, and I look forward to getting to meet people from all over Sullivan County in the weeks and months to come,” Wilson shared. “I want to listen to what the community needs and wants, to be compassionate, to make them feel valued.”
A native of Newark, New Jersey, Wilson grew up in a community where life wasn’t always easy, but it was also where he discovered the transformative power of music. He found his passion in the Baptist church his family attended, where music became both a refuge and a source of strength. By the age of 18, he had already become the church’s Music Director and by then, was also a classically trained pianist.
That early connection to music not only shaped his identity but also ignited a lifelong commitment to giving back. It opened his eyes to the inequalities around him and inspired him to advocate for those whose opportunities looked different from his own. Music became more than a talent – it became a way to serve, uplift, and fight for others.
“I still volunteer to play at churches near my home in Orange County,” he related – and sometimes he doesn’t even have to offer, as pastors who know him will approach the moment he walks in the door on a Sunday morning.
That’s not surprising if you know his background. Wilson attended Arts High School in Newark, studying music in the same rooms where talent like Sarah Vaughan, Michael B. Jordan, and Tisha Campbell found inspiration. Immediately after graduating from Weequahic High School in New Jersey, Wilson dove into his musical passion as a career and ultimately became a studio and touring pianist for such world-class artists as Wyclef Jean, Mary J. Blige, Toni Braxton and Mariah Carey.
“I’ve played on albums that have sold millions of copies, along with some co-production and composition,” he said. “Music has always been very therapeutic for me, and I still have great relationships with several of those celebrities.”
As the music industry shifted from analog to digital, opportunities for musicians began to evolve. Recognizing the changing landscape, Wilson made a thoughtful decision to pursue a new path – one that would allow him to continue making a meaningful impact.
“I began working professionally with children and adults, helping give a voice to those who felt unheard,” he explained. “There was a real sense of purpose in being that person who could listen, support, and empower. It gave me a deeper kind of fulfillment.”
This new chapter also deepened Wilson’s commitment to human rights advocacy. By supporting individuals who often faced systemic barriers, he found a way to use his voice not just artistically, but to stand up for the dignity and rights of others.
Wilson earned a bachelor’s in liberal studies and management from the University of Maine at Presque Isle and kicked off his new career as a community compliance officer with a Newark property management company. He gained an in-depth understanding of mediation, fairness, regulatory reporting, and proactive monitoring.
He followed that with a six-year tenure as New England Community Services’ Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, coordinating programs targeting systemic disparities in housing, education, healthcare and employment in Brookline, Massachusetts. Most recently, he was the Support Coordinator Supervisor for A Simple Leap in Cherry Hill, NJ, where he supervised five support coordinators to ensure the agency adhered to state and federal regulations while serving those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. A key role at both organizations was advocacy for the vulnerable and marginalized.
“As someone who was the victim of racial discrimination, human rights interest me greatly,” he noted.
Having just completed his Master’s in Business Administration (with a concentration in healthcare management) from Western Governors University, Wilson joined Sullivan County this week.
“I want to be a leader, particularly in government, because it’s the foundation of how we live. And I want to continue advocating for those being discriminated against,” he explained. “I like the fact that Sullivan County is small enough to allow one to focus on individual issues, issues that really matter. I can see that the Legislature takes pride in having a Human Rights Commission, and I’ve immediately felt welcomed by Josh and his deputy, Michelle Huck.”
Wilson is committed to engaging with the Sullivan County community by visiting a diverse range of agencies, schools, police departments, businesses, organizations, faith-based institutions, and other local spaces. Through these, he aims to foster meaningful connections and better support the community's priorities and concerns.
“I’m looking to take a proactive, not reactive, approach,” he affirmed, noting that he’ll only forward an issue for investigation to the State in the most egregious of situations. “My goal is to mediate as much as possible, to resolve and bring people together.”
If you’re wondering, he’ll still be pursuing his other passion.
“I love playing and composing music,” Wilson acknowledged. “I have a recording studio set up in my home!”
He’s also a football fan (or “fanatic,” as he puts it), a volunteer with the Urban League of Morris County, NJ, and the proud father of three – adults E’layah and Ramia, and teenager Yah-shir. Just over a year ago, in fact, he became a grandfather too – to Desmund.
In the meantime, Wilson welcomes anyone to visit him at his new office on the second floor of the Government Center in Monticello, or to contact him at 845-807-0189 or Ramone.wilson@sullivanny.gov.
“People should feel very free to walk into my office and work it out,” he offered.
