Meet the Staff
Equity and Engagement Director-Chief Equity Officer
Rachel Joy
Rachel Joy oversees the Equity and Engagement Department. In her Director role, she oversees and directs the work of the Department’s three divisions – Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; Community Outreach and Engagement; and Community Safety and Justice. Ms. Joy has been with the City of Champaign since 2016. Prior to her appointment to Equity and Engagement Director, she served as Community Relations Manager and Compliance Officer. Ms. Joy holds a Master of Arts degree in
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Rachel Joy oversees the Equity and Engagement Department. In her Director role, she oversees and directs the work of the Department’s three divisions – Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; Community Outreach and Engagement; and Community Safety and Justice.
Ms. Joy has been with the City of Champaign since 2016. Prior to her appointment to Equity and Engagement Director, she served as Community Relations Manager and Compliance Officer.
Ms. Joy holds a Master of Arts degree in Human Services with a concentration in social services administration from the University of Illinois at Springfield. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Wilberforce University and participated in the University’s international study abroad program at Hebrew University.
Community Relations Manager
Tracy Parsons
Tracy Parsons is responsible for coordinating and facilitating the work of the Champaign Community Coalition. Mr. Parsons helps the Coalition successfully implement sustainable strategies which improve the lives of area youth and families through an effective collaboration of diverse community partners and service agencies.
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Tracy Parsons is responsible for coordinating and facilitating the work of the Champaign Community Coalition. Mr. Parsons helps the Coalition successfully implement sustainable strategies which improve the lives of area youth and families through an effective collaboration of diverse community partners and service agencies.
Community Relations Manager
Jorge Elvir
Jorge Elvir is responsible for managing the Community Safety and Justice Division. This position is responsible for implementing the City’s gun violence prevention and intervention activities. He serves as liaison to Champaign Police, community-based organizations, and advisory boards and committees geared towards reducing community violence. Jorge is responsible for the
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Jorge Elvir is responsible for managing the Community Safety and Justice Division. This position is responsible for implementing the City’s gun violence prevention and intervention activities. He serves as liaison to Champaign Police, community-based organizations, and advisory boards and committees geared towards reducing community violence. Jorge is responsible for the oversight of the Community Gun Violence Reduction Blueprint, monitoring activities of all partner agencies funded through City resources, working directly with the Grants Manager on ARPA-funded programming, and working directly with the evaluator(s) to ensure overall effectiveness of related processes and program impact.
Community Relations Manager & Compliance Officer
Janel Gomez
Janel Gomez is responsible for managing the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Division. This position is responsible for Human Rights Ordinance discrimination complaint process, the City of Champaign Equal Opportunity in Purchasing Ordinance and is the staff liaison to the Human Relations Commission and the Police Citizen Review Subcommittee. Janel has been
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Janel Gomez is responsible for managing the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Division. This position is responsible for Human Rights Ordinance discrimination complaint process, the City of Champaign Equal Opportunity in Purchasing Ordinance and is the staff liaison to the Human Relations Commission and the Police Citizen Review Subcommittee. Janel has been with the City of Champaign since 2015, previously as a Community Development Specialist in the Neighborhood Services Department. She holds a Master’s Degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Illinois.