Philadelphia Mayor-elect Jim Kenney and Duane Morris Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Nolan Atkinson. Kenney has tapped Atkinson to fulfill the same role in his mayoral administration.

Local nonprofit and business organizations alike hailed Philadelphia Mayor-elect Jim Kenney's decision to tap veteran attorney Nolan Atkinson Jr. as his Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer.

Kenney made the formal announcement during a press conference Wednesday morning in the Mayor's Reception Room in City Hall.

Nina Ahmad, president for Philadelphia NOW/Philadelphia NOW PAC, said her organization was "delighted" with the appointment, which she said went far in proving the sincerity of Kenney's promise to create a diverse cabinet.

"Atkinson has won much praise for his work in diversity and inclusion," Ahmad said, "and we are confident in his ability to tackle the city's diversity and inclusion challenges."

To read the full text of this article, please visit The Philadelphia Tribune.