City Staff Attends IDOT – Basics of AI for Businesses Workshop
On Tuesday, July 15, 2025, Mikal Washington, Community Relations Specialist (Equity and Engagement), attended a workshop titled “Basics of AI for Businesses” at the Champaign Public Library. The event was hosted by IDOT and included several businesses featured in the City of Champaign’s Diversity Advancement Program (CDAP). The workshop provided valuable insights on how businesses […]
City Staff Presents for National Small Business Week
On Wednesday, May 7, 2025, Mikal Washington, Community Relations Specialist (Equity and Engagement), and Adonis Fuller, Purchasing and Compliance Specialist (Finance), participated in the Small Business Development Center’s (SBDC) webinar series in recognition of National Small Business Week. During the session, City staff presented information on the Champaign Diversity Advancement Program (CDAP), highlighting the City’s […]
Small Business and Infrastructure Grant Program
On Friday, January 17, 2025, Mikal Washington from the Equity and Engagement Department attended the Small Business and Infrastructure Grant Program Informational Meeting. The session, led by Matt Simpson, African American Business Development Grants Manager at the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), in partnership with H3, provided valuable insights into a new […]
DEI County Presentation
On Dec. 10, 2024, Janel Gomez from the Equity & Engagement Department, gave a presentation to the Champaign County Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) Task Force about the City of Champaign’s Equal Opportunity in Purchasing Ordinance, the Champaign Diversity Advancement Program, and the DEI Division at the City of Champaign. The County DEI Task force […]
Champaign Diversity Advancement Program (CDAP) Certification Event
On Wednesday, September 25, 2024, Mikal Washington and Michelle Morrison from the Equity & Engagement Department attended the Champaign Diversity Advancement Program (CDAP) Certification event at the Champaign Public Library. An Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) representative guided CDAP vendors through the process of becoming State-certified as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and provided insight into […]
Illinois Black Chamber of Commerce Convention and the Outstanding City for Procurement Award
On August 7, 2024, Mikal Washington from the Equity and Engagement Department and Adonis Fuller from the Finance Department attended the Illinois Black Chamber of Commerce Convention in Peoria, IL. City staff participated in a matchmaking session, where they discussed the benefits of joining the Champaign Diversity Advancement Program (CDAP), the process for becoming a […]
H3 | Meet and Greet Social
On July 13, 2024, Mikal Washington from the Equity and Engagement Department attended the Meet and Greet Social, sponsored by H3. The event focused on building community connections. City staff presented information to local small businesses. The presentation covered City programs and resources, necessary materials for CDAP certification, upcoming events for business development, and other […]
IDOT Conference | Today’s Challenge, Tomorrow’s Reward
On February 21, 2024, Mikal Washington from the Equity and Engagement Department and Adonis Fuller from the Finance Department attended IDOT’s annual conference “Today’s Challenge, Tomorrow’s Reward” in Springfield, IL at the Crowne Plaza hotel. The event was centered around providing education and networking opportunities to DBE firms and contractors. City staff provided information on […]
Illinois State Black Chamber of Commerce
On August 16, 2023, Purchasing & Compliance Specialist Adonis Fuller attended the 2023 Annual Illinois State Black Chamber of Commerce Convention’s Business Matchmaking Event. The event offered the opportunity to meet with business owners and staff to learn about their products, services, and capabilities. The event was also a great way to share information about the […]
2022 Illinois State Black Chamber of Commerce Annual Convention
At the recent Black Chamber of Commerce Annual Convention, City staff shared with minority and women owned businesses about the benefits of registering for the City’s Diversity Advancement Program (CDAP). Business owners met with staff to give details about their businesses and services offered. Details were provided about the benefits of signing up to receive […]