The Future of Equity and Diversity in Major Cities

The National Forum for Black Public Administrators (NFBPA) DC Chapter invites you to a panel discussion on “The Future of Equity and Diversity in Major Cities: A Panel Discussion with Chief Equity Officer.” 

As local governments continue to grow and change socially, economically, educationally, and culturally –  some communities are hiring a Chief Equity Officer to help jurisdictions identifying gaps and disparities in programs and services.  The new CEOs of local government are tasked with examining budgets, legislation and policies the impact the most vulnerable individuals in a community. 

This panel discussion will be a candid discussion with two Chief Equity Officers, in two large cities – Austin and Philadelphia.  We will discuss the role of the Chief Equity Officer, the challenges and opportunities for someone in this position and what the future holds for cities as they continue to diversify.  Please join us for this is great conversation.

Speakers

Nefertiri Sickout currently serves as Acting Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer of the City of Philadelphia, where she leads the Mayor’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. The Office is pushing forward a dual strategy, in partnership with city departments, to improve both workforce and community outcomes. Under the city’s workforce strategy, departments must complete an annual plan on strategic efforts to achieve real advancement in terms of greater representation of, and participation by, employees of color and other historically marginalized and under-represented groups in the city’s workforce. Under the city’s racial equity strategy, departments must complete a racial equity assessment and action plan, setting forth more intentional efforts to produce greater racially equitable impact in areas relevant to the agency’s budget, services, procurement and community engagement.  

Nefertiri joined the Mayor’s Office in August 2016, and served initially as an Assistant Diversity and Inclusion Officer, and later as a Deputy Diversity and Inclusion Officer, before serving in her current role. Prior to joining the Mayor’s Office, Nefertiri worked at Troutman Pepper (formerly Pepper Hamilton LLP) from 2010 – 2016, where she practiced law for eight years as a commercial litigation associate, handling complex contract litigation matters involving business and partnership disputes. 

Nefertiri began her career in community-based advocacy around issues that affect the well-being of vulnerable families and children, including child welfare, early childhood education, adolescent health, and parenting education programs. Nefertiri earned a BA in psychology from Clark Atlanta University, and later an MA in infant special education from George Washington University, followed by a Masters in developmental psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University. She later earned a law degree from Villanova University School of Law.

Nefertiri resides in Philadelphia with her supportive husband, Christian, and loving daughter, Suri Anna.

Brion Oaks is first ever Chief Equity Officer for the City of Austin. In this capacity, Mr. Oaks is responsible for working with city leadership and the community to create an equity framework to be adopted by all departments and offices of Austin city government. As Chief Equity Officer, Oaks is responsible for facilitating dialogue and organizational practices that support the development and adoption of equity as a shared value.  He serves as the technical expert in addressing equity as it is applied to city wide policies, programs, practices and budget decisions with an overall vision to make Austin the most livable city for ALL.

Prior to his arrival to the City of Austin, Oaks served as the Vice President of Health Equity for fourteen years at the American Heart Association’s Southwest Affiliate. In this capacity he oversaw the affiliate’s department that was dedicated to improving cardiovascular health for our most vulnerable populations and reducing disparities in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease.

Mr. Oaks had a celebrated career at the American Heart Association. He was the 2009 recipient of the “Rome Betts in Health Equity” award and in 2010 received another prominent honor being recognized as a recipient of the national Cass Wheeler Integration award to recognize his work in collaboration and integration across the American Heart Association.

Mr. Oaks earned his Bachelor of Science in Political Science from University of Houston and Masters of Public Administration from Texas State University. Prior to a 14-year career at the American Heart Association, Oaks worked as a legislative assistant for state Rep. Dora Olivo, D-Rosenberg, and as a project coordinator for the Texas Healthy Kids Corporation and the Texas Medical Foundation.

Throughout his career, he has focused on improving health outcomes for communities of color and addressing disparities in access to health care services.

Chauncia Willis is the Co-Founder and CEO of the Institute for Diversity and Inclusion in Emergency Management (I-DIEM). Ms. Willis is certified as an Emergency Manager, Professional Coach, and Cultural Diversity Professional with over 20 years of experience. Her expertise includes disaster management, national security event planning, leadership coaching, immigrant and refugee outreach, as well as diversity, equity and inclusion training.  Prior to co-founding I-DIEM, Chauncia served as the Emergency Manager in Tampa, Florida for over 14 years where she developed successful programs benefiting marginalized populations. She has led national emergency planning efforts for political conventions, national football league games and international award shows.  In her role as CEO for I-DIEM, she leads the effort to integrate equity into all facets of disaster policy, programs, and practice with the goal of increasing cultural competence and mitigating the harmful impacts of bias on underserved groups.  Regarded as a national expert, Ms. Willis has provided witness testimony to the U.S. House of Representatives on multiple occasions on matters of diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as policy implementation. She is the author of “Stretching: The Race towards Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in America,” publishing date, March 2021. 

Chauncia Willis hails from St. Petersburg, Florida and is a graduate of Loyola University New Orleans and Georgia State University, Andrew Young School of Policy Studies