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Date: 7/13/2021
WEST SPRINGFIELD – The town of West Springfield recently developed a new position – diversity, equity and inclusion coordinator. Tracye Whitfield, a Springfield resident, has been selected to serve this new position, with the aim of guiding West Springfield and all of the residents within.
Mayor William Reichelt originally created this position after speaking with Councilor Anthony DiStefano. Reichelt realized that there were some major issues in West Springfield and DiStefano informed him of this position that’s been established in other towns across Massachusetts.
The resolution to establish a diversity, equity and inclusion coordinator in West Springfield was passed, prior to the City Council passing it as well.
When the opportunity presented itself, Whitfield said that someone informed her of the position and suggested she may be a good fit. As a result, she applied for, and went through multiple interviews before being selected for the position. In addition to Whitfield, Reichelt and Human Resource Manager Kelley Beckwith interviewed five applicants.
Reichelt said, “Tracye had the best life experiences. She gets what we’re trying to do.”
In addition, this position calls for hard conversations. Reichelt claimed, “She [Tracye] is the best person to handle this.”
On June 22, Whitfield formally began her new position in which Whitfield said she would develop an inclusion department. “It’s all about being inclusive and equitable,” she said.
Whitfield will be developing a town working group and will be overseeing/guiding the group to reach the town's goals. She will be assisting with the internal recruitment and hopes to bring in staff training.
Reichelt said that this new position will be a “build and learn as you go.”
Prior to receiving this position, Whitfield worked at Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) and Holyoke Community College (HCC). At STCC, she served as a data analyst and at HCC, she developed curriculum for entry level employers to move up. Whitfield said this was more diverse and she was able to work with employers to facilitate.
Now, as diversity, equity and inclusion coordinator, Whitfield’s goals are to have the town of West Springfield “think better” and hopes that the town will guide others.
“Inclusion is more than race,” said Whitfield. “We want to highlight everyone’s differences. Everyone has something to offer.”
She added, “Diversity brings innovation and new ideas, understandings, awareness and knowledge – we should be inclusive and embrace it … It’s positive when people can bring differences to the table – better decision making, problem solving, etc.”
Whitfield believes that West Springfield made a great step to being a leader in Western Massachusetts. “I hope the community embraces this,” she said.
Whitfield looks forward most to learning new cultures, trying new foods across those diverse cultures, and of course, bringing meaningful changes to this new position.
“I thank the mayor and the City Council for granting this position and trusting me,” she said.
For anyone wishing to speak with Whitfield or bring forth ideas, she wants residents to know that she has an open door policy.
She can be contacted directly at twhitfield@townofwestspringfield.org.