Shenekia Weeks

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Equal Employment Officer | Town of Chapel Hill

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Shenekia Weeks brings over 25 years of diverse experience in public health, education, mental health, substance abuse, law enforcement, higher education, and non-profits. Her career is dedicated to addressing social determinants of health and eliminating race- and class-based disparities. Currently, she serves as the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer and the Equal Employment Opportunity Officer for the Town of Chapel Hill. In this role, she is committed to integrating equity into the town's operations by building relationships, enhancing staff capacity to recognize bias, and mitigating inequitable practices. Previously, she was Director of Diversity, Equity, and Trauma for EducationPlus in St. Louis, MO. She collaborated with leaders to identify and address organizational inequalities through professional development programs there. She also served as the District Administrator of the Guardian ad Litem Program, overseeing advocates and attorneys in family court with a focus on the needs of children. Shenekia's background includes experience as a Corporal in the Harnett County Sheriff's Office, where she worked as a Crime Prevention Officer and School Resource Officer. As the Director of the Gang Prevention Partnership in Wake County, she integrated prevention, intervention, suppression, and re-entry services, aiming to change the narrative around gang involvement and improve community ecosystems. Earlier in her career, she supported children and families affected by substance abuse and individuals with developmental disabilities. Shenekia holds Community Health Research, Building Resilience, Circle Keeping, Family Center Practice, and DEI Facilitation certifications. She is also a skilled communications advisor, adept at aligning mission, vision, and values with business imperatives to foster a positive culture. Shenekia earned a BA in Psychology from NC A&T University and an MPA from North Carolina Central University. She is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. In her personal life, Shenekia is affectionately known as Auntie or TiTi, a mom to a 16-year-old furbaby and fiancée to Daaron Parrish.

Presentations from Facing Race 2024

Restoratively Reckoning & Resisting

This workshop will provide government racial equity officers, policymakers, and administrators with practical tools and strategies to advance racial equity within government agencies by integrating restorative practices into the local government landscape.

Restorative Practices is an indigenous power-sharing framework that can improve authentic communication, acknowledge the harms of institutional racism, develop equitable staff and community engagement, and strengthen institutional accountability—critical components of racial equity work. Restorative practices offer a framework to build community and institutional capacity to achieve a more equitable future.

In this interactive workshop, participants will:
1. Comprehensively understand restorative practices, including their principles, values, and applications within government settings;
2. Identify specific areas within their government agencies where restorative practices can promote racial equity and address systemic injustices;
3. Learn strategies for fostering inclusive and supportive environments within government agencies, emphasizing collaboration, empathy, and power-shifting;
4. Work collaboratively to create actionable plans for implementing restorative practices within their respective government departments, including identifying key stakeholders, setting goals, and establishing metrics for success;
5. Discuss common challenges and resistance to implementing restorative practices within government settings and develop strategies for overcoming them; and
6. Assess the effects of restorative practices on advancing racial equity within their agencies, including collecting feedback, measuring outcomes, and making necessary adjustments.

By incorporating these principles into government policies and procedures, participants will learn how to create more inclusive and equitable environments that prioritize the needs of marginalized communities. Join us!

Speakers: Shenekia Weeks, Shay Stevens