DIVERSITY

diversity office’s deputy director, was appointed by the mayor as the interim director.

Francis did not immediately respond to a request for comment. When asked if Francis’ resignation was related to the office’s recent challenges, Robin Davis, a spokeswoman for the mayor, said it was for “reasons of his own.”

“Making sure that city employees and contractors reflect the rich diversity of our city remains a top priority for me,” Ginther said in a press release. “I thank Steve

for his leadership in establishing the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. I wish him well in his future endeavors.”

Davis said the city is reviewing applications for staff vacancies created by the reorganization in February, though no hires have been made.

The shake-up was necessary, Francis told the Dispatch in March, because the office had expanded its role under Ginther and therefore needed a staff better suited for its new duties. Its focus had moved beyond helping minority- and woman-owned businesses secure city contracts into other duties, such as increasing diversity within the city’s other departments.

Davis also said the city was still in the process of collecting “the most thorough and accurate data” for the company looking into possible contract discrimination by the city.

Nana Watson, head of the Columbus branch of the NAACP, expressed confidence in Brown. She said she has worked closely with Brown and believes she is capable of taking the department “to another level.”

“We believe that they will do what they are charged to do,” Watson said. “People are just changing and other people will step up to the plate.”