Steps to Starting a Small Business
On Monday, September 16, 2024, Janel Gomez, Community Relations Manager (E&E) presented a the Champaign Public Library. This event focused on workers and human rights at the Welcoming Week Event: Steps to Starting a Small Business. The event was hosted in partnership with the Small Business Development Center and The Refugee Project. Attendees learned about […]
Welcoming Week 2024 | Get Involved!
Welcoming Week is a week of cultural celebration across the country! Welcoming Week 2024 is happening from September 13-22nd with numerous opportunities to get involved. Through Welcoming Week, communities come together to strengthen their bonds and promote a culture of inclusivity, underscoring the importance of embracing diversity for a brighter future. On Thursday, Sept 5, […]
The Beat Kicked Off In a Big Way!
May 31 was the official kick off for The Beat Downtown Champaign! The Beat is a new campaign to bring more music, entertainment, and culture to Downtown. The Beat aims to attract residents and visitors from diverse backgrounds, provide a safe and inclusive space to enjoy entertainment, to showcase Downtown’s unique shops and businesses, and […]
Keller Williams DEI Workshop
On April 17, 2024, staff from the Equity and Engagement Department presented at Keller Williams Real Estate about the City’s Human Rights Ordinance and how it comes to play in fair housing. Community Relations Manager, Janel Gomez, begin with an overview of what the department does as whole before going more in depth into her […]
Communiversity Action to Renew Engagement (C.A.R.E) Talks
On March 23, 2024, Community Relations Manager, Tracy Parsons attended the Communiversity Action to Renew Engagement (C.A.R.E) Talks at Virginia Theater. The event’s focus was to bring together campus and community through engagement in support of students in east-central Illinois. Members of the public and students were provided with an opportunity to connect, learn about […]
HOPE Fair Housing Center’s Source of Income Training
On March 22, 2024, April Faulkner, Community Relations Specialist with the Equity and Engagement Department, attended source of income training at the Champaign County Housing Authority. This training was conducted by HOPE Fair Housing Center to give advocates tools to empower their clients with the new legislations protecting source of income. The Illinois Department of […]
Welcoming Week Partner Thank You Reception
On October 24, 2023 the New American Welcome Center (NAWC) held their Welcoming Week Partner Thank You Reception. This event allowed all of the participants of Welcoming Week to come together in community and celebrate the success of the week. Champaign Police Chief and staff from the Equity and Engagement Department were in attendance. From […]
Administrative Services Team Training
On August 30, 2023, Community Relations Manager, Janel Gomez, presented to the Administrative Services Team (AST) about how to deal with difficult telephone calls, specifically angry citizens. Specific attention was made on how to deal with microaggressions and when customers use racially insensitive language. The team held a discussion on their customer services experiences and […]