Councilmember Chemberly Harris, Town of Normal, Illinois, has been appointed to the National League of Cities (NLC) 2023 REAL Council. Harris 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 Victoria Woodards of Tacoma, Wash.
"I am honored to serve on the REAL Council. This group focuses on racial equity within communities across the country to close equity gaps,” explains Harris. “The Town of Normal richly benefits from having a direct liaison on the committee with access to resources and tools we can use to help our diverse, growing community keep equity in the forefront."
As a member of NLC’s REAL Council, Harris 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 give voice to what’s happening on the ground in our communities,” says Woodards. “I am proud to have Councilmember Harris join NLC's REAL Council. Together with a team of local leaders from around the country, we will work to address the toughest challenges facing our communities and ensure that America’s cities, towns and villages have the resources they need to thrive.”
This year’s council leadership team consists of Co-Chairs Councilmember Andrea Barefield of Waco, Texas and Mayor Steve Patterson of Athens, Ohio, and Vice Chairs Councilmember D’Andre Jones of Fayetteville, Ark. and Mayor Pro-Tem Ty Stober of Vancouver, Wash.
For more information on NLC’s member councils, visit: https://www.nlc.org/current-initiatives/member-councils-2/.
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