Equity & Engagement Staff Gives Presentation to Police Training Institute Cadets
On Thursday, September 4, 2025, Tracy Parsons, Community Relations Manager in the Equity and Engagement Department, delivered an impactful presentation to more than 110 cadets from across Illinois at the Police Training Institute. City staff discussed the vital role that community relations and public engagement play in effective law enforcement. Topics included strategies for building […]
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 […]
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 […]
Police Training Institute
On Wednesday, January 8, 2025, Tracy Parsons, Community Relations Manager for the Equity and Engagement Department, addressed incoming cadets from across the state at the Police Training Institute. With over 105 cadets in attendance, Tracy spoke about the vital importance of building strong Police-Community Relations and actively engaging with the community to foster positive connections […]
Visiting The Springfield Project’s CAP 1908 site
On Wednesday, December 18, 2024, Tracy Parsons, Community Relations Manager, and Mikal Washington, Community Relations Specialist with the Equity and Engagement Department, participated in an incubator tour of The Springfield Project’s CAP 1908 site. This project aims to collaborate with public agencies and private partners to facilitate community development and revitalization, foster diversity development initiatives, […]
ACT-SO Annual Kickoff
On Monday, September 30, 2024, Tracy Parsons from the Equity and Engagement Department attended the ACT-SO Annual Kickoff event, organized by the NAACP Champaign County Branch, held at the Champaign Public Library. The event provided an informative and inspiring introduction to the ACT-SO (Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics) program. Attendees had the opportunity to […]
Small Business CONNECT Roundtable and Networking Event
On October 2, 2024, Tracy Parsons and Mikal Washington from the Equity and Engagement Department participated in the Small Business CONNECT Roundtable and Networking Event, hosted by the Campus Community Compact to Accelerate Social Justice. This event brought together local business owners and economic development organizations to discuss the post-pandemic landscape for small businesses, addressing […]
Academic Night at Booker T. Washington
On September 26, 2024, Tracy Parsons and Mikal Washington from the Equity and Engagement Department, in addition to City Council member, Will Kyles, attended the Family Academic Night at Booker T. Washington Elementary School. This event brought together parents and children to foster meaningful connections with school staff and enhance academic support. Parents received valuable […]
Coffee and Conversations
On Wednesday, September 11, 2024, Tracy Parsons and Mikal Washington from the Equity and Engagement Department participated in the Coffee and Conversation event at Café Kopi, held from 8:00 to 10:00 am. This engaging small group discussion focused on race relations and facilitated meaningful conversations about race. Attendees were invited to express their personal definitions […]
LIFT Black History Month Annual Program
On February 26, 2024, Deputy City Manager, Joan Walls and Equity and Engagement Department staff, Rachel Joy and Tracy Parsons, attended the LIFT annual Black history month event held at Neil St. Blues. The event was an opportunity for families and students to review historical facts with a focus on the Harlem Renaissance, engage with […]