PHILADELPHIA – On Friday, April 24, Nolan Atkinson, the City’s Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer, submitted his resignation to Mayor Kenney, effective May 8, 2020.
“When I established the City’s first Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in January of 2016, I selected Nolan to build the Office from the ground up, drawing upon his years of advocacy and service for Philadelphia’s diverse communities,” said Mayor Jim Kenney. “Under Nolan’s leadership, the Office has become a formidable advocate for diverse and equitable programs in City government, and I have relied on him to provide capable advice and counsel on sometimes sensitive diversity matters. Nolan has dedicated himself to making Philadelphia a more diverse, equitable and inclusive city, and leaves the Office well-positioned to have a positive impact on the City for years to come. We are grateful for his service and wish him the best.”
Nefertiri Sickout, Deputy Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer, will serve as Acting Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer. A search for a permanent replacement is underway.