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NAACP LANSING

                                                                    55TH FREEDOM FUND

                                                                              CELEBRATION
                LED US HERE!                                   OCTOBER 16, 2021 | 8 PM





                                  2021 Trailblazer Award





                                       RACHEL WILLIS




                                       Rachel Willis (Lewis) was born and raised in Lansing, Michigan. A
                                       Valedictorian Graduate of Lansing Everett High School and an alumna of
                                       Michigan State University, Willis holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work
                                       which she earned in 2015. Willis is heavily involved in the community. In
                                       2011 she was elected to the Lansing School District Board of Education
                                       and was re-elected to the position in 2018. During her time on the Board,
                                       Willis has served as Board Secretary, Vice President and three years as
                                       Board President. During her tenure on the Board, Willis has overseen
                                       the procurement of a $120million bond which allowed for much needed
                                       infrastructure upgrades to the buildings in Lansing public schools.
                                       Willis served for six years on the Capital Region Community Foundation,
                                       including one year as Board Chair. While on the board of the community
                                       foundation Willis has also served as chair of the programs/grants
                                       committee, overseeing the distribution of over $3million to the greater
                                       Lansing community.
                                       Among her awards are the 2018 Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce
                                       and the Grand River Connection 10 Over the Next Ten Award, the Lansing
                                       State Journal’s next generation of Black Leaders in 2018, and the Michigan
                                       Federation for Children and Families’ 2019 Advocate, Collaborate, Make a
                                       Difference Award.
                                       With a professional career in social work, Willis is currently employed by
                                       the State of Michigan in the Department of Health and Human Services as
                                       the Director of Division of Child Welfare Licensing.
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