© 2024 WOSU Public Media
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Columbus Mayor Ginther Creates Diversity Cabinet Position

Steve Francis, Columbus' first chief diversity officer, speaks to a press conference on Tuesday. Behind him are Mayor Andrew Ginther and Congresswoman Joyce Beatty.
Sam Hendren
/
89.7 NPR News
Steve Francis, Columbus' first chief diversity officer, speaks to a press conference on Tuesday. Behind him are Mayor Andrew Ginther and Congresswoman Joyce Beatty.

Columbus mayor Andrew Ginther has created a new cabinet level position in his administration.   On Tuesday, Ginther introduced Steve Francis as the city’s new chief diversity officer.  

“Diversity and inclusion play a vital role in making Columbus a great city in which to live, work and visit,” Ginther said.  The mayor went on to laud Francis for his ‘wealth of experience.’ 

Francis says much work needs to be done to increase diversity and inclusion.

“The social and political climate and discourse in this country is in the toilet.  And it’s laced with racial hatred and religious phobia and division.  It is fracturing us, not only as a Central Ohio and Columbus community but as a nation,” Francis said.

Mayor Ginther says Francis will lead efforts to meet the city’s diversity and inclusion goals.