City Elected Officials and Staff Attend NAACP Gala
On Saturday, October 25th, Deputy Mayor Will Kyles along with Council Members Kathy Shannon and Shauna Clayborn, joined Equity and Engagement Community Relations Manager Tracy Parsons, Justice Victim Advocate Angela Worthey, and members of the Champaign Police Department Command Staff for an inspiring event hosted by the NAACP, centered on “The Fierce Urgency of Now.” Keynote […]
E&E Staff Attend Bloomington’s Inclusion & Access Compliance Symposium
Equity & Engagement Community Relations Manager & Compliance Officer Janel Gomez and Community Relations Specialist Julio Velasco represented our department at the City of Bloomington’s Inclusion & Access Compliance Symposium. The event focused on the theme “Navigating Inclusion & Access Compliance” and brought together professionals from across Illinois to explore how workplaces can become more […]
City Staff Supports Y on the Fly Back to School Event
On Friday, August 8, the Equity & Engagement Department – Community Safety and Justice Division joined the Champaign Fire Department and Y on the Fly for a Back-to-School Giveaway & End-of-Summer Bash. The HOYCE Center also supported local families by providing free hygiene products, home essentials, clothing, and other daily necessities including backpacks and sunscreen. […]
City Hosts Community Events Against Gun Violence
Over the past week, members of the Equity and Engagement team participated in three impactful community-led meetings focused on creating change and finding solutions to end gun violence in our community. Notable attendees included Council Member Shauna Clayborn and Champaign Police Chief Timothy Tyler. The first event, titled “Stand Together Against Injustice,” took place on […]
Empowering Equity & Inclusion in Business: A Conversation with Janel Gomez
In a new episode of Champaign Spotlight, Communications Manager Jeff Hamilton chats with Community Relations Manager and Compliance Officer Janel Gomez. Learn about Janel’s vital work helping others in the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Division of the Equity and Engagement Department. She also explains the importance of the City’s Equal Opportunity in Purchasing Ordinance then […]
City Hosts Enforcement Education and Resource Fair at Providence at Thornberry
On August 17, 2023, staff from the Equity and Engagement, Neighborhood Services, Police, and Fire Departments partnered to host an Enforcement Education and Resource Fair for neighbors of Providence at Thornberry. The resource fair was held as part of a coordinated response to neighborhood concerns and issues reported to the City. Approximately 150 Providence neighbors […]
City staff, Officials attend Annual Crime Stoppers Meeting
Staff from Champaign Police and the Equity and Engagement Department attended the Crime Stoppers annual meeting and luncheon on Thursday, July 28th. Mayor Feinen and Deputy Mayor Kyles were also in attendance. At the meeting, Crime Stoppers shared updates on their program, which is partially funded by the City of Champaign through the Community Gun […]
NSD Hosts Game Night at Hedge POP! Park
On Thursday June 9th, the Neighborhood Services Department hosted a Game Night event at Hedge POP! Park from 5-7pm. City staff from NSD, Champaign Police, and Equity and Engagement Departments were on hand to engage with Garden Hills youth at the park. These events are held each Thursday at a different park throughout the city. […]
“Race Talks” at Urbana Neighborhood Connections Center
On March 24, 2023, staff from the Equity and Engagement Department joined “Race Talks” that were being held at the Urbana Neighborhood Connections Center. As part of their after-school program, these middle school students engaged in important conversation about race in American society today. This open and honest space allowed them to share their personal […]
Citizen Review Subcommittee Training
In February 2023, the City Council approved the appointment of two new members to the Citizen Review Subcommittee (CRS). On March 11, 2023, staff from the Equity and Engagement, Legal, and Police Departments held an all-day training session for new and existing members of the CRS. CRS members learned about limits of authority, use of […]