Today, Dane County Executive Joe Parisi named Wesley Sparkman as director of the newly created “Tamara Grigsby Office for Equity and Inclusion” for Dane County. The Dane County Board is considering a resolution tonight to name the new Dane County office after Grigsby who served as the County’s Executive’s Director of Outreach prior to passing away earlier this year. Sparkman has been serving as Interim Director since January.
“I am proud to name Wesley Sparkman Director of the Tamara Grigsby Office for Equity and Inclusion,” said Dane County Executive Joe Parisi in a press release. “My new Office for Equity and Inclusion created in this budget is an opportunity for us to act and lead. This bold reorganization is a clear statement that we in county government are committed, coordinated, and not content with the status quo when it comes to the inequities some experience in our community.”
Consistent with the recently completed “Dane County Race Equity Analysis,” this new office will coordinate efforts to recruit and retain a diverse workforce while ensuring county government sends a clear message: we are inclusive to all, and we work for all who call this place ‘home.’ This guiding principle will inform the policy decisions.
“The County is applauded for the development of the establishment of this new office,” said Dr. Floyd Rose. “Wesley Sparkman is a proven administrator and brings the necessary skill sets to a very important and difficult assignment.”
Wesley received his bachelors of arts in Sociology and masters of public affairs from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. For the last 15 years, Wesley has worked as the Contract Compliance Officer for Dane County. Before that Wesley worked for both the Department of Workforce Development as the Recruitment and Retention Specialist and the Dane County Health and Human Services Department as the Equal Opportunities Specialist.
“I was glad to hear of Wesley’s appointment from Interim to Director of the Office for Equity and Inclusion,” said Rev. Dr. Alexander Gee, Jr. “I have known Wesley for well over 15 years and he has been a longstanding community servant. It is great to see someone so deserving being promoted from within county government, leading the County Executive’s strong commitment to diversity.”
From Chicago originally, Wesley has resided in Madison since 1991 and has been very active in the community. He is the current President of the Madison Police Fire Commission, a member of the Madison Downtown Rotary, and an active member of the Fountain of Life Church. He has served as Downtown Rotary President, a Board member for the Madison Children’s Museum, a youth baseball and football coach in Madison.
“Tamara was a true public servant and leader in our community who was named as Director of the Office for Equity and Inclusion before her passing,” added County Executive Parisi. “Her life’s work was devoted to helping children, families and making our community better. This Office will carry out that legacy.”
Sparkman’s nomination as director will be introduced to the County Board this evening with review and final approval in the coming weeks.
