Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Task Force formed to help advise Manhattan

MANHATTAN, Kan. (WIBW) - A new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force has been approved to help advise the Manhattan community.

The City of manhattan says the City Commission has approved the creation of the Manhattan Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Task Force to research and recommend best practices to create a more inclusive and welcoming community that will include racial, social-economic and ethnic diversity in the growth of the City. It said the Task Force will be different than the City Advisory Boards in that it will only meet for up to one year and will be asked to make recommendations that will be directed to the community as a whole.

According to the City, the DEI Task Force will be 25 members strong that will be chosen by 2020 Mayor and current City Commissioner, Usha Reddi. It said each member will serve a one-year appointment on the task force as a representative of an organization that serves the community and speaks for the broad spectrum of diversity in Manhattan. It said Reddi originally brought up the formation of the task force at the June 16, 2020, City Commission meeting and got the Commission approval at the Jan. 5, 2021, City Commission meeting.

The City said the task force will meet every month during 2021 to make recommendations in the following areas:

Individual and family support
Economic opportunity
Public safety
Livability
Health and wellness

According to the City, the task force meetings will be publically accessible, if held in person, or will be broadcast on public media platforms if they are held virtually.

The City said Tanya Gonzáles and Corey Williamson will serve as co-chairs of the task force.

“I look forward to co-chairing this task force that brings together leaders of many community groups working in the areas of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We plan to collaboratively build on this foundation of inclusive best practices to strengthen the Manhattan community,” stated Co-Chair Tanya Gonzáles.

According to the City, Gonzáles is a professor of American Literature and Latinx Studies at Kansas State University. It said since she arrived in Manhattan in 2005, Gonzáles has led many diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives at K-State, which includes serving as president or chair of Alianza, the College of Arts and Sciences Diversity Committee, as well as the Faculty Senate.

“I am honored to Co-Chair this community Task Force and help the City participate in the important conversations that have been happening across the nation around diversity and equity. I am excited to work with a great group of community members that will help identify better ways to promote and create a more inclusive Manhattan,” stated Co-Chair Corey Williamson.

The City said Williamson serves as the Executive Director of the K-State Student Union. It said he is a Manhattan native and graduated from K-State with a Bachelor’s Degree in kinesiology and a Master’s Degree in counseling and student development. It said he has served on the Diversity and Inclusion Task Force for the Association of College Unions International. It said he is also involved with DEI work at the university as a member of the Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation workgroup.

According to the City, the following have also been appointed to serve on the DEI Task Force: