CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The City of Corpus Christi has many positions that help growth and change throughout our area. While many departments sit under a general umbrella, we want to take the time to highlight some of those leaders that play key roles in promoting the Black community.
3NEWS spoke with three city leaders to learn just how important visibility is when it comes to serving residents from different ethnic backgrounds.
Logan Cobbs is the director of communications for the City, she was hired in November 2022. She said that representation matters because reaching different audiences is a key to bridging gaps across the community.
"It's always really encouraging to open up a pamphlet or look at our website and see people that look like you," Cobbs said. "Representation matters, so it's really key for us that we're seeing people of color and women in key leadership roles."
Neiman Young is the assistant city manager. The 23-year army veteran and two-time bronze star recipient oversees many of the city's utilities. He joined the City in 2021 as well.
"What I bring to the table is my cultural experiences and my cultural understanding of the black community," Young said.
Cobbs and Young are part of the changing makeup of city management with help from City Manager Peter Zanoni.
"What that does when we have diversity in our leadership roles is that it helps better understand the community and better provide services," Zanoni said.
For Cobbs in the communications department, she plays a crucial role in how and where residents see themselves.
"It all comes back to understanding the landscape of Corpus Christi," Cobbs said. "So to really look at the community that we're serving and ensure that we're not only reaching that demographic and that population, but also that we see them represented in our marketing materials as well."
Young uses his knowledge and experience to represent community members when considering different citywide decisions.
"I'm able to provide feedback to the executive team, and you know, ensure that any major policy decisions are made with consideration of how they will impact those different communities that I come from," he said.
According to the US Census, the black population of Corpus Christi sits at four percent. Leaders say that's one of the core reasons diversity and inclusivity are important for guiding the city.
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