Philly Council continues to quiz Kenney administration about diversity

Philadelphia City Council grilled members of the Kenney administration Tuesday about their plans for making city government more diverse. 

Council President Darrell Clarke said he was surprised that organizers of this summer’s Democratic National Convention appear to be doing better on diversity than the city. 

“They had a Latino printer, they had a construction manager who is an African-American contractor and it just went on and on and on,” Clarke said.

Nolan Atkinson, the chief diversity and inclusion officer for Mayor Jim Kenney, said he needs more allies.

“As you talk to people in the government, and they understand what you are doing and why you are trying to do it, they become your allies,” Atkinson said.

Atkinson assured council members a more tangible plan for inclusion will be available as the year goes on.