Mayor hires new human relations director 

Kim Coleman replaces Joan Jackson Johnson 

Posted

MONDAY, Feb. 17 — The city of Lansing has a new director of human relations and community services. 

Kim Coleman has been hired to lead the city’s Department of Human Relations and Community Services following Joan Jackson Johnson’s retirement earlier this month, Mayor Andy Schor announced today. And she has “robust experience” working with coalitions to “create and strengthen” partnerships within the city, he said. 

“I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve the Lansing community,” Coleman said. “As thrilled and honored as I am by the confidence shown in me, I recognize the responsibility being entrusted and look forward to working with Mayor Schor and the team to help implement the vision for the department and for Lansing.” 

Coleman was previously identified as a candidate for the department’s deputy director position and had plans to eventually become its director, officials said. She replaces Jackson Johnson who retired earlier this month following an investigation into conflicting interests and financial mismanagement related to grant funding. 

Coleman has a bachelor’s degree in social work from Jackson State University in Jackson, Mississippi, and a master’s degree in social work from the University of Louisville , in Kentucky. She has also taken coursework at Michigan State University, Nova University in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and other institutions, officials said. 

Today is Coleman’s first day on the job. Former department director Willard Walker will assist during the transition. 

“I am proud to welcome Kim Coleman as the new director,” Schor added. “I am confident that Kim will lead the HRCS team in continuing to provide important and necessary services to those in need in Lansing,” 

Coleman arrives as a federal investigation looms over her department and her predecessor. After the federal officials notified city officials about “issues with contracts” stemming from the city’s HRCS department last year, auditors hired by the city have since found concerns that warranted Jackson Johnson to be suspended. 

Coleman has previously served as the executive director of the Grand Rapids Bar Association, executive director of the Downtown Lansing Branch of the YMCA, executive director of Single Parent Family Institute,  mental health supervisor at Saginaw County Community Mental Health and other service-oriented roles in Michigan. 

She’s also the current chairwoman of the Ingham County Department of Human Services’ board of directors. City officials said Coleman will be paid $106,500 annually. Jackson Johnson, for context, was paid $129,289 last year. 

Visit lansingcitypulse.com for previous coverage on the controversy surrounding Jackson Johnson’s departure.  

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