Director Speaks at Rotary of Savoy
On March 20, 2025, Equity and Engagement Department Director, Rachel Joy, had the honor of attending the Rotary of Savoy Monthly meeting. Ms. Joy proudly highlighted the expansive department work being done in the three divisions – Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, Community Safety & Justice, and Community Outreach and Engagement. Rotary members were able to […]
Champaign County Community Coalition
On March 12, 2025, the Champaign County Community Coalition held its monthly meeting at the Holiday Inn Conference Center from 3:30 to 5:00 PM. The Champaign County Regional Planning Commission reviewed their Employment Services and Job Training programs, which offer valuable assistance with job searches, resume preparation, and scholarship opportunities. They are well-equipped to support […]
Metropolitan Mayor’s Caucus Visits Champaign
On Wednesday, March 5, 2025, representatives from the City of Champaign’s Equity and Engagement Department, Janel Gomez and April Rosché, accompanied Karen Muchin of the Metropolitan Mayor’s Caucus (MMC) on site visits to subrecipients of the Supporting Municipalities for Asylum Seekers Services (SMASS) III grant. These visits aimed to observe the impact of the grant, […]
Small Business Capital and Infrastructure Grant
On Tuesday, March 4, 2025, Tracy Parsons, Community Relations Manager, and Mikal Washington, Community Relations Specialist, from the Equity and Engagement Department facilitated an informational meeting with staff from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) to discuss the Small Business Capital and Infrastructure Grant. Small business owners and entrepreneurs had the opportunity […]
City Hosts State-Designated Cultural District Quarterly Meeting
On Tuesday, March 4, 2025, the City of Champaign hosted the quarterly meeting for the State-Designated Cultural District, bringing together staff from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). Tracy Parsons, Community Relations Manager, and Mikal Washington, Community Relations Specialist, from the Equity and Engagement Department participated in the meeting, providing updates on […]
City Staff Support Business Elevator’s RISE 217: Entrepreneurial Edge
On Saturday, March 1, 2025 Mikal Washington, Community Relations Specialist from the Equity and Engagement Department, participated in Business Elevator’s RISE 217: Entrepreneurial Edge event at the Champaign Public Library. The event featured John Poll from Credit Care Company, who spoke about the significance of loan consolidation, business credit building, and securing funding. Business owners […]
City Staff Support the Lunch Crew
On February 26, 2024, Community Relations Specialist Mikal Washington had the opportunity to attend Lunch Crew at Centennial High School. City staff interacted with students, discussing the importance of making informed, responsible decisions. The session provided a platform for meaningful dialogue, allowing staff to connect with students and share valuable insights. This interaction displayed the […]
LIFT Black History Month
On Monday, February 19, 2025, City Manager Joan Walls, accompanied by Community Relations Manager, Tracy Parsons and Community Relations Specialist, Mikal Washington from the Equity and Engagement Department, attended the LIFT Black History Month event at Neil St. Blues Champaign County Clerk, Aaron Ammons, delivered an informative presentation on the complex process of expungement. This […]
Champaign County Community Coalition
On Wednesday, February 12, 2025, the Champaign County Community Coalition hosted its monthly meeting at the Holiday Inn Conference Center from 3:30 to 5:00 PM. Attendees were able to hear from a variety of community organizations doing exciting work! The Healing Solutions for Healing Communities Conference planning committee announced their upcoming conference, a two-day event […]
National African American Parent Involvement Day
On February 10, 2025, staff from the Champaign Police Department and Equity & Engagement Department demonstrated their commitment to community engagement by participating in National African American Parent Involvement Day (NAAPID). They attended events at various locations throughout Champaign that were hosting special activities in honor of the day. NAAPID is a nationwide initiative dedicated […]