DEI Timeline
The City of Naperville is continuously working to become a more inclusive, welcoming, diverse community where all are welcome and enjoy equitable opportunities to thrive.
2019
FEBRUARY AND BEYOND: Community conversations on the rise based on changing diversity in Naperville.
NOVEMBER 5: A request is made to update the City's Mission Statement
DECEMBER 17: The City Council approves a revision to the City's Mission Statement:
"To provide services that ensure a high quality of life, sound fiscal management, and a dynamic business environment, while creating an inclusive community that values diversity."
2020
MAY 19: The City Council adopts a resolution celebrating the diversity of the community and denouncing all acts of racism, intolerance, and unlawful discrimination.
SEPTEMBER 1: The City Council approves the hiring of a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Manager.
DECEMBER 15: The City adopts Title 12 of the Code of Ordinances prohibiting unlawful discrimination in human rights and housing in the City of Naperville.
2021
FEBRUARY 9: The inaugural Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Manager starts work with Naperville.
FEBRUARY 10: Meetings with leaders across all departments begin to better understand Naperville’s internal landscape.
MARCH 2: Listening sessions with residents and key Naperville organizations begin to take place to gather perspectives. Goals include how to engage youth in future discussions and initiatives.
AUGUST 2: Youth component begins to take shape.
2022
JANUARY 17: Geneace Williams continues to spread the message of inclusion and community at the Naperville Central College’s 2022 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day programming.
MARCH: The City of Naperville partners with eight Naperville organizations in a DEI Banner display
AUGUST 2022: Internal and external DEI plan developed. (THE DEI plan was later presented to the City Council at the Dec. 20, 2022 City Council meeting.)
NOVEMBER 10, 2022: The first Embrace Naperville community event, The Power of Inclusion, is held to increase awareness across the community.
2023
JANUARY 8: Dr. Williams serves as the opening speaker at NILA (Naperville Interfaith Leaders Association) interfaith prayer service for World Peace Day.
JANUARY 16: Dr. Williams presents Teach-In at NCC honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
FEBRUARY 2023:City begins honoring Federally recognized History and Heritage months on Social Media channels.
FEBRUARY 24:Dr. Williams participates in a Student Belonging panel discussion sponsored by the SD203 Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council.
FEBRUARY/MARCH: City participates in Kindness Campaign spearheaded by the Collaborative Youth Team.
MARCH 6: Dr. Williams presents a Teach-In at Benedictine University Teach-In – Topic, Equity in Government: A Must
MARCH 13: Dr. Williams presents to NCHS Students on DEI in Naperville and youth involvement.
MARCH 28: Dr. Williams presents to the Metropolitan Majors Caucus on approaches to employee retention.
APRIL 24: Dr. Williams speaks at the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce Unity Breakfast.
MAY 5: Dr. Williams offers Invocation at the Boy Scouts DuPage County Impact Breakfast.
MAY 6: Dr. Williams participates in School District 203's Student and Family Resource Fair.
MAY 13: The second Embrace Naperville community event, The Power of Connection AAPI Voices & Community, was held in honor of AAPI month.
JUNE 17: Dr. Williams speaks at the Juneteenth Freedom Day event sponsored by Naperville Neighbors United.
DEI Action Steps
Step One: Listening
- Meet leaders and members of various organizations in Naperville.
- Conduct listening sessions with residents and organizations.
- Identify organizational synergies and uncover gaps.
- Continuously develop relationships to:
- locate persons interested in the work
- garner support
- identify allies in the work
- join forces with organizations doing the work
Step Two: Learning
- Cull together results of listening sessions (ongoing)
- Identify resources for events and activities
- Determine community partners for various events and activities
- Continual community engagement, idea generation and sharing between community members and organizations
- Bring youth component to life
Step 3: Leveraging/Action
- Diversity meet and greets with various organizations from the community.
- Partnering with organizations to advance the work.
- Having difficult conversations and creating safe spaces for storytelling.