AKRON, Ohio — Last fall, Tammy Tucker was appointed by Mayor Dan Horrigan as the first-ever Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for the city of Akron.
"I didn't recognize the historic nature of this position. One of my colleagues had to say that. She was like, 'Tammy, you're making history.'" Tucker reflected. "To be the first Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for a city government is huge.”
It’s a role of major importance in Akron. Tucker is tasked with implementing the city’s racial equity and social justice strategic plan, along with building equity through community relationships.
"This role had to be created to look at how equitable our practices and to look at how we can do better within local government to make sure that every resident we serve is getting the same treatment,” she said.
Tucker's appointment comes on the heels of a number of policy changes for The Rubber City. In 2020, Akron established a taskforce in response to declaring racism a public crisis, and in March of 2022, the Akron Racial Equity Taskforce released a five-year plan.
Three months later, the eyes of the nation were on Akron after Jayland Walker was killed by Akron police. Tucker says that was a pivotal moment for the city.
"There are a lot of bright minds here at the city of Akron who are being very proactive in looking at that [incident] and looking at, if we can do this we can look back and say, that was a pivotal point," she said. "We continue to just pull everything that we can from what's happening in the world to make sure we're applying it in our situation as best we can."
Another effort: The city’s new citizens police review board. Despite some recent setbacks surrounding the final appointment, Tucker says she supports their mission.
"I believe it will make a difference in having that accountability beyond the police department.”
She also believes in community policing to make change, and sees her role as pivotal to help make sure officers and citizens can find mutual respect.
"I had a great conversation with the chief of police when I first started," she recalled. "We are very open and honest with each other around the difficulties of policing. I'm really looking forward to working with the chief and implementing some of the things that we come up with and then seeing the change it'll make."
Tucker’s long career in civil service makes her ideal for this role. She’s worked for welfare reform and in higher ed -- most recently serving as the Director of Diversity and Inclusion for The Ohio State University’s College of Medicine.
"I get to create the blueprint," Tucker said. "How exciting is that to look at laying the foundations for diversity, equity and inclusion to be a part of everything that happens here? So it's exciting. I'm excited to come to work every day to see how we can make it happen."
Making it happen is just in Tucker's DNA. One of eight children raised by a single mom right here in Cleveland, she went on to become the first college grad in her family -- earning her degree at Central State University where she later worked.
"I grew up in the Hough neighborhood as a kid. I didn’t know Hough was famous for its civil rights and the Hough riots. We were just living there. ... But that historic place that still exists again, was the backbone of who I am," she reflected. "It’s not just about me as an individual, it’s about how I connect with other human beings and how I am sort of integral in making sure that they’re succeeding."
Editor's note: Video in the player above was originally published in a previous edition of Game Changers on Dec. 19, 2022.