City Council News Release - Willie J. Lightfoot Appointed to Serve on National League of Cities’ Race, Equity And Leadership (REAL) Council

For Immediate Release:

Tuesday, March 9, 2021

 

Willie J. Lightfoot Appointed to Serve on National League of Cities’ Race, Equity And Leadership (REAL) Council   

Willie J. Lightfoot, Vice President City Council, Rochester, NY, has been appointed to the National League of Cities (NLC) 2021 Race, Equity And Leadership (REAL) Council. Vice President Lightfoot was elected to a one-year term and will provide strategic direction and guidance for NLC’s federal advocacy agenda and policy priorities. The appointment was announced by NLC President Kathy Maness, councilmember, Lexington, South Carolina. 

"Once again, I am so humbled and grateful to be chosen to be a part of this great work with NLC. Racial equity work is one of the most transformable work I have ever been part of.  This partnership led to a change in our charter to include our new budget equity tool that will impact future generations. I am honored to continue this work and represent Rochester on a national level", said Vice President Lightfoot.

As a committee member, Lightfoot will play a key role among a diverse group of local leaders in shaping NLC’s policy positions and advocating on behalf of America’s cities and towns before Congress, with the administration and at home. 

“Our member councils are the voices of what’s happening on the ground in our communities,” said Kathy Maness, councilmember of Lexington, South Carolina, and President of the National League of Cities (NLC). “I am proud to have Willie J. Lightfoot join NLC's 2021 committee on behalf of his residents. Together with a team of local leaders from around the country, we will work to solve the most pressing challenges facing our communities.” 

The leadership of this year’s committee will consist of Co-Chair Victoria Woodards, Mayor, Tacoma, WA, Co-Chair Jake Spano, Mayor, St. Louis Park, MN, Vice Chair Janice Zahn, Council Member, Bellevue, WA, and Vice Chair Casey Thomas, Council Member, Dallas, TX. 

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

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The National League of Cities (NLC) is dedicated to helping city leaders build better communities. NLC is a resource and advocate for 19,000 cities, towns and villages, representing more than 218 million Americans. www.nlc.org  

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Media Contact: Condenessa Brown – (Condenessa.Brown@cityofrochester.gov)