Akron City Council’s Chief of Staff Appointed to National League of Cities’ REAL Council

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

JANUARY 23, 2024

Press Contact: 

JOAN M. WILLIAMS

AKRON, OHIO

330-375-2258 / JWILLIAMS@AKRONOHIO.GOV

Akron City Council’s Chief of Staff Appointed to National League of Cities’ REAL Council
 

AKRON, OHIO — Dr. Joan M. Williams, Council Chief of Staff, Akron, Ohio, has been appointed to the National League of Cities (NLC) 2024 Race, Equity And Leadership (REAL) Council. Dr. Williams was elected to a one-year term to develop and guide programs among local elected officials from similar communities. The appointment was announced by NLC President Mayor-Elect David Sander of Rancho Cordova, CA.

“It is an honor to be selected to work on this national body with such a distinguished and diverse group of local leaders”, said Dr. Williams.  “I am excited about having the opportunity to empower municipalities around the country to build safe places where people from all racial, ethnic and cultural backgrounds thrive socially, economically, academically and physically”.

As a member of NLC’s REAL Council, Dr. Williams will play a key role among a diverse group of local leaders to encourage collaboration, networking and the development of resources and programs beneficial to communities that share demographics, size or location that can be replicated across the country.

“Our member councils play an integral role in NLC’s work, bringing local leaders together to share ideas and inform NLC policy about the issues and challenges facing every kind of community in America,” said NLC President Mayor David Sander of Rancho Cordova, CA. “I’m excited to have Dr. Joan M. Williams serve on NLC's REAL Council. The council will ensure that all of our cities, towns and villages have access to ideas and resources they can use to thrive.” 

The leadership of this year’s council will consist of Chair Christopher Jones, Council Member, Harrisonburg, Virginia; Chair Ty Stober, Mayor Pro Tem, Vancouver, Washington; Vice Chair Karlene Maxwell Williams, Commissioner, Lauderdale Lakes, Florida; and Vice Chair DeDreana Freeman, Council Member, Durham, North Carolina. 

For more information on NLC’s member councils, visit: https://www.nlc.org/current-initiatives/member-councils-2/.   

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