About Us
The Department of Equity and Inclusion is responsible for the development and implementation of the City of Lawrence’s equity and inclusion efforts and initiatives. We are responsible for providing advice, guidance, coaching, training and expertise to staff and the City’s Management Team on issues related to policies, procedures, best practices and applicable laws related to equity and inclusion.
The Department of Equity and Inclusion ensures Department policies and practices are aligned with City’s Strategic Plan. We will support the Management Team by integrating current thought, literature, research and trends about Equity and Inclusion into decision making and organizational development. Our work will be informed by the City’s strategic plan and other feedback and information that becomes available. The goal is to ensure consistency, follow through, continuity, and accountability in all that the City of Lawrence does surrounding the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Just as well, our work requires thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of civil rights, disability rights, equal opportunity and relevant laws, rules and regulations; conflict resolution methods and techniques; working knowledge of social justice theory, affirmative action, implicit bias, historical sources of disparities, as well as individual, institutional, and structural racism; knowledge of racial equity related policy; also of public administration principles and practices. This will ensure that the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion are indeed woven into the fabric of the organization.
Motivation
Inclusion and racial equity drive the culture of our organization and our community. When we intentionally prioritize race, it can no longer be used to predict life outcomes and outcomes are improved for all. We remove systemic barriers to reconcile historic injustices and their continued presence in our work. Mobilizing the racial framework will allow us to overcome barriers for all marginalized groups.
Farris Muhammad, PhD, MBA
Director of Equity and Inclusion
office (785) 832-3414
fax (785) 832-3405
Email: fmuhammad@lawrenceks.org
Dr. Farris Muhammad, born and raised in Detroit, is the Inaugural Director of Equity and Inclusion for the City of Lawrence. Prior to this appointment, he was the Inaugural Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer with the City of Peoria, Illinois. Prior to that he served as the Executive Director of the Multicultural Family Center with the City of Dubuque, Iowa, and as an Adjunct Sociology Professor at the University of Dubuque.
Dr. Muhammad has over 15 years of experience as a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Practitioner. He is also a Certified Intercultural Competence and Communication trainer. As such, He has conducted implicit and explicit bias trainings for colleges & universities, governmental entities, school districts, non-profits, and fortune 500 companies.
Dr. Muhammad has held multiple Executive Director level positions working in government, private sector, higher education, and nonprofits. He holds a PhD in Education Administration and Policy as well as a Graduate Certificate in Interdisciplinary Qualitative Research from the University of Georgia.
Kalenna Coleman
Organizational Equity Coordinator
Mrs. Kalenna Coleman, born in Kansas City, MO and raised in Kansas City, KS, is the Organizational Equity Coordinator for the City of Lawrence. Prior to being selected for this position, she served shortly as a Proposals Coordinator after having been the Special Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Operations for the Kansas Department for Children and Families.
Having served in government work over a span of 13+ years with the Unified Government of WyCo/KCK, the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment, and the Kansas Department for Children and Families, Kalenna has experience in serving on Health Equity Committees and developing DEI programs/proposals within the government sector.
Kalenna completed a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies: Biology & Business from the University of Missouri-Columbia. This was followed by the completion of a Master’s of Science Degree in Environmental Management from Webster University.
About US
The Department of Equity and Inclusion is responsible for the development and implementation of the City of Lawrence’s equity and inclusion efforts and initiatives. We are responsible for providing advice, guidance, coaching, training and expertise to staff and the City’s Management Team on issues related to policies, procedures, best practices and applicable laws related to equity and inclusion.
The Department of Equity and Inclusion ensures Department policies and practices are aligned with City’s Strategic Plan. We will support the Management Team by integrating current thought, literature, research and trends about Equity and Inclusion into decision making and organizational development. Our work will be informed by the City’s strategic plan and other feedback and information that becomes available. The goal is to ensure consistency, follow through, continuity, and accountability in all that the City of Lawrence does surrounding the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Just as well, our work requires thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of civil rights, disability rights, equal opportunity and relevant laws, rules and regulations; conflict resolution methods and techniques; working knowledge of social justice theory, affirmative action, implicit bias, historical sources of disparities, as well as individual, institutional, and structural racism; knowledge of racial equity related policy; also of public administration principles and practices. This will ensure that the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion are indeed woven into the fabric of the organization.
Motivation
Inclusion and racial equity drive the culture of our organization and our community. When we intentionally prioritize race, it can no longer be used to predict life outcomes and outcomes are improved for all. We remove systemic barriers to reconcile historic injustices and their continued presence in our work. Mobilizing the racial framework will allow us to overcome barriers for all marginalized groups.
Meet Our Team
Farris Muhammad, PhD, MBA
Director of Equity and Inclusion
office (785) 832-3414
fax (785) 832-3405
Email: fmuhammad@lawrenceks.org
Dr. Farris Muhammad, born and raised in Detroit, is the Inaugural Director of Equity and Inclusion for the City of Lawrence. Prior to this appointment, he was the Inaugural Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer with the City of Peoria, Illinois. Prior to that he served as the Executive Director of the Multicultural Family Center with the City of Dubuque, Iowa, and as an Adjunct Sociology Professor at the University of Dubuque.
Dr. Muhammad has over 15 years of experience as a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Practitioner. He is also a Certified Intercultural Competence and Communication trainer. As such, He has conducted implicit and explicit bias trainings for colleges & universities, governmental entities, school districts, non-profits, and fortune 500 companies.
Dr. Muhammad has held multiple Executive Director level positions working in government, private sector, higher education, and nonprofits. He holds a PhD in Education Administration and Policy as well as a Graduate Certificate in Interdisciplinary Qualitative Research from the University of Georgia.
Kalenna Coleman
Organizational Equity Coordinator
Mrs. Kalenna Coleman, born in Kansas City, MO and raised in Kansas City, KS, is the Organizational Equity Coordinator for the City of Lawrence. Prior to being selected for this position, she served shortly as a Proposals Coordinator after having been the Special Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Operations for the Kansas Department for Children and Families.
Having served in government work over a span of 13+ years with the Unified Government of WyCo/KCK, the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment, and the Kansas Department for Children and Families, Kalenna has experience in serving on Health Equity Committees and developing DEI programs/proposals within the government sector.
Kalenna completed a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies: Biology & Business from the University of Missouri-Columbia. This was followed by the completion of a Master’s of Science Degree in Environmental Management from Webster University.
Resources
- DEI related websites:
https://www.racialequityalliance.org/
Race, Equity, and Social Justice | icma.org
Home | Othering & Belonging Institute (berkeley.edu)
MassFreedom | Together we can all get free.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC)
- For education and outreach regarding the City’s anti-discrimination law, visit: Human Relations Division - City of Lawrence, Kansas (lawrenceks.org)
- The Human Rights Campaign Foundation created the Municipal Equality Index to help residents learn how inclusive their city's laws and policies are of LGBTQ+ people. Find out Lawrence's score: Lawrence | Municipalities - Human Rights Campaign (hrc.org)
- Strategic Plan Outcomes, Equity and Inclusion Progress Indicators, and Strategies: A Strategic Plan outlines a systematic process for moving toward a vision in a manner that involves the development and prioritization of strategic goals along with measurable strategies. The overview includes progress indicators and strategies for the five outcome areas identified in the Strategic Plan framework in relation to equity and inclusion. More information on that framework is included here. The City has been working on developing progress indicators to measure success of the strategic plan implementation. The progress indicators are summarized in this Strategic Plan Scorecard. The data related to each of these indicators is in the process of being gathered and will be shared when it is available.
- Take a look at this Toolkit for any department to utilize, as a model, for advancing equity with the approach of a racial equity framework first: GARE-Racial_Equity_Toolkit.pdf (racialequityalliance.org)
- Snapshot of the City of Lawrence's demographics: https://www.areavibes.com/lawrence-ks/demographics
| Statistic | Lawrence | Kansas | National |
|
Population |
92,611 | 2,913,314 | 328,239,523 |
| Population density (sq mi) | 2,712 | 36 | 91 |
| Median age | 27.3 | 36.2 | 37.7 |
| Male/Female ratio | 1.0:1 | 1.0:1 | 1.0:1 |
| Married (15yrs & older) | 39% | 59% | 55% |
| Families w/ Kids under 18 | 44% | 45% | 43% |
| Speak English | 89% | 89% | 79% |
| Speak Spanish | 4% | 8% | 13% |
| Race | Lawrence | Kansas | National |
| White | 82.02% | 85.19% | 73.35% |
| Black | 4.30% | 5.79% | 12.63% |
| Asian | 5.45% | 2.68% | 5.22% |
| American Indian | 2.28% | 0.82% | 0.82% |
| Native Hawaiian | 0.03% | 0.06% | 0.18% |
| Mixed race | 4.74% | 3.31% | 3.06% |
| Other race | 1.18% | 2.15% | 4.75% |
In Lawrence, 6.6% of people are of Hispanic or Latino origin.
Please note: Hispanics may be of any race, so also are included in any/all of the applicable race categories above.
Source: The Lawrence, KS demographics data displayed above is derived from the 2016 United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Farris Muhammad, PhD, MBA
Director of Equity and Inclusion
office (785) 832-3414
fax (785) 832-3405
Email: fmuhammad@lawrenceks.org
Dr. Farris Muhammad, born and raised in Detroit, is the Inaugural Director of Equity and Inclusion for the City of Lawrence. Prior to this appointment, he was the Inaugural Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer with the City of Peoria, Illinois. Prior to that he served as the Executive Director of the Multicultural Family Center with the City of Dubuque, Iowa, and as an Adjunct Sociology Professor at the University of Dubuque.
Dr. Muhammad has over 15 years of experience as a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Practitioner. He is also a Certified Intercultural Competence and Communication trainer. As such, He has conducted implicit and explicit bias trainings for colleges & universities, governmental entities, school districts, non-profits, and fortune 500 companies.
Dr. Muhammad has held multiple Executive Director level positions working in government, private sector, higher education, and nonprofits. He holds a PhD in Education Administration and Policy as well as a Graduate Certificate in Interdisciplinary Qualitative Research from the University of Georgia.
Kalenna Coleman
Organizational Equity Coordinator
Mrs. Kalenna Coleman, born in Kansas City, MO and raised in Kansas City, KS, is the Organizational Equity Coordinator for the City of Lawrence. Prior to being selected for this position, she served shortly as a Proposals Coordinator after having been the Special Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Operations for the Kansas Department for Children and Families.
Having served in government work over a span of 13+ years with the Unified Government of WyCo/KCK, the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment, and the Kansas Department for Children and Families, Kalenna has experience in serving on Health Equity Committees and developing DEI programs/proposals within the government sector.
Kalenna completed a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies: Biology & Business from the University of Missouri-Columbia. This was followed by the completion of a Master’s of Science Degree in Environmental Management from Webster University.
- Definitions
- DEI related websites:
https://www.racialequityalliance.org/
Race, Equity, and Social Justice | icma.org
Home | Othering & Belonging Institute (berkeley.edu)
MassFreedom | Together we can all get free.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC)
- For education and outreach regarding the City’s anti-discrimination law, visit: Human Relations Division - City of Lawrence, Kansas (lawrenceks.org)
- The Human Rights Campaign Foundation created the Municipal Equality Index to help residents learn how inclusive their city's laws and policies are of LGBTQ+ people. Find out Lawrence's score: Lawrence | Municipalities - Human Rights Campaign (hrc.org)
- Strategic Plan Outcomes, Equity and Inclusion Progress Indicators, and Strategies: A Strategic Plan outlines a systematic process for moving toward a vision in a manner that involves the development and prioritization of strategic goals along with measurable strategies. The overview includes progress indicators and strategies for the five outcome areas identified in the Strategic Plan framework in relation to equity and inclusion. More information on that framework is included here. The City has been working on developing progress indicators to measure success of the strategic plan implementation. The progress indicators are summarized in this Strategic Plan Scorecard. The data related to each of these indicators is in the process of being gathered and will be shared when it is available.
- Take a look at this Toolkit for any department to utilize, as a model, for advancing equity with the approach of a racial equity framework first: GARE-Racial_Equity_Toolkit.pdf (racialequityalliance.org)
Snapshot of the City of Lawrence's demographics: https://www.areavibes.com/lawrence-ks/demographics
| Statistic | Lawrence | Kansas | National |
|
Population |
92,611 | 2,913,314 | 328,239,523 |
| Population density (sq mi) | 2,712 | 36 | 91 |
| Median age | 27.3 | 36.2 | 37.7 |
| Male/Female ratio | 1.0:1 | 1.0:1 | 1.0:1 |
| Married (15yrs & older) | 39% | 59% | 55% |
| Families w/ Kids under 18 | 44% | 45% | 43% |
| Speak English | 89% | 89% | 79% |
| Speak Spanish | 4% | 8% | 13% |
| Race | Lawrence | Kansas | National |
| White | 82.02% | 85.19% | 73.35% |
| Black | 4.30% | 5.79% | 12.63% |
| Asian | 5.45% | 2.68% | 5.22% |
| American Indian | 2.28% | 0.82% | 0.82% |
| Native Hawaiian | 0.03% | 0.06% | 0.18% |
| Mixed race | 4.74% | 3.31% | 3.06% |
| Other race | 1.18% | 2.15% | 4.75% |
In Lawrence, 6.6% of people are of Hispanic or Latino origin.
Please note: Hispanics may be of any race, so also are included in any/all of the applicable race categories above.
Source: The Lawrence, KS demographics data displayed above is derived from the 2016 United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).