For the past five years, Diana Phillips has actively worked towards building inclusion within Signal Hill. This commitment was recently highlighted when Phillips was nominated by her community and recognized by Senator Lena Gonzalez as the recipient of the Black History Month Spotlight Award.
The award took Phillips by complete surprise, she told the Signal Tribune. She had previously been recognized by the Signal Hill City Council alongside her fellow Diversity Coalition Committee (DCC) members, however this marked her first time being honored individually.
“What brought me the most joy was to shine a light on what’s going on in the city, the programs and just the way the neighbors relate to each other and connect,” Phillips said.
Her hope is that her recognition inspires others in the community to volunteer, not just to be a face for the city, but to participate in the work needed to keep Signal Hill thriving.
Phillips’ journey into local civic work followed the nationwide unrest after Minneapolis police officers murdered George Floyd in the summer of 2020. As a teacher, principal and administrator, she watched her own students march the streets to advocate for change.
“I was really nervous for them. I would talk to them and they would say they wanted to do something,” said Phillips.
Her students’ determination to take action sparked a calling within herself to do the same. Today, Phillips serves in two important, volunteer-led roles for the City of Signal Hill: Vice Chair of the DCC and Vice Chair of the Civil Service Commission. With the Civil Service Commission, she manages sensitive matters regarding municipal hiring and employee discrepancies, ensuring that if a staff member feels they were treated unfairly or fired unethically, they receive a fair hearing. The committee also makes recommendations to the city council based on their hearing.
“I hope that as Signal Hill continues to grow, that we grow with inclusion in mind, so that it becomes part of the infrastructure of the city,” said Phillips.
Outside of her work with the city, Phillips also serves as president of the National Association of University Women at Westside Heights Branch, as a UCLA Center X leader, and a Los Angeles County Digital Inclusion Ambassador.
However, it is her work with the DCC that best illustrates her growth towards building a stronger community in Signal Hill. As part of DCC, Phillips works to lead a group of volunteers dedicated to promoting inclusion through culturally diverse events, education and community briefings.
One of DCC’s first actions, during her involvement, was to conduct a community-wide survey to ensure they prioritized the needs and desires of the community.
“We don’t wait for the community to come to us to access the resources,” she said. “We go to the community.”
Phillips said she is particularly proud of the DCC’s “pop-up” outreach strategy. This method brings events tailored to certain areas, and recognizes that some neighborhoods are quieter or lack access to necessities and specific resources. The DCC committee takes initiative in bringing programs and resources to those people.
Phillips’ work is guided by a clear set of principles: caring for people, remaining unbiased and respecting the rules. Her ultimate goal is for inclusion to become a permanent part of the city’s foundation.
“I hope that as Signal Hill continues to grow, that we grow with inclusion in mind, so that it becomes part of the infrastructure of the city,” said Phillips.
She remains inspired by leaders like Senator Gonzalez, who she describes as “hands-on and community-driven.” For Phillips, volunteering is not about standing in front of the community, but actively participating in the efforts that keep the city stable and functioning, which are traits she said she sees in Gonzalez.
As Signal Hill evolves, Phillips envisions a city where different age groups, economic statuses and neighborhoods, regardless of the hills or freeways between them, feel like “one city” where everyone is seen and trusted.
“As long as we are working in that regard,” said Phillips. “I’ll probably be here for a long time.”
Want more local news?
Sign up for the Signal Tribune’s daily newsletter
