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LaWanda Headshot One

Meet LaWanda

LaWanda DeShazer is a dedicated leader with a lifelong commitment to public service, community advocacy, and youth empowerment. With over two decades of experience in local government and nonprofit leadership, she has worked to create meaningful changes in Wichita through education, outreach, and civic engagement. 

​From serving as Senior Program Director for Community Outreach at the YMCA, to her long tenure as a Senior Administrative Officer with the Sedgwick County Fire Department, LaWanda has consistently focused on strengthening communities and providing opportunities for others.  Her extensive involvement on the District 1 Advisory Board, leadership in youth development initiatives, and founding of the nonprofit Communities in Action demonstrate her passion for equity, social inclusion, and creating pathways for success. 

 

Recognized with numerous awards for her service, LaWanda brings a results-driven approach to leadership, ensuring that every initiative she undertakes makes a good lasting impact on the people of Wichita.

 

Work Experience

 

  • Social Innovation Lab: Community Engagement Specialist, January 2025 - Present

  • Communities In Action: Founder, 2023 - Present

  • YMCA: Senior Program Director, Community Outreach, 2022-2024

  • Sedgwick County Fire District #1: Senior Administrative Officer, 1999-2019

  • Old Cowtown Museum: Administrative Assistant to the Director,1992-1999

 

 

Community Involvement

 

  • Longest serving member of the current District 1 Advisory Board (3/6/18-present) 

  • Created and hosted a 4-week "Knowledge is Power" symposium to provide leadership development training for the NAACP Youth Council members

  • Helped organize and coordinate Youth efforts to save McAdams pool

  • Organized Community workshops to learn about new policing tools - predictive policing/FLOCK

  • Founder of Communities in Action, a non-profit with the goal of achieving equity and social inclusion by advancing practices “to build strong character in all citizens, with an emphasis on youth to help them realize their full potential.”

  • Licensed Evangelist

 

 

Awards

 

  • Golden Apple Award - May 2023

    • In recognition of support to Spaght Elementary to help reach 3rd grade proficiency

  • Golden Apple Award May 2019

    • In recognition of community partnership with Summer Bridge Learning Program

  • The "Chester I. Lewis" Distinguished Service Award November 2019

    • Received from NAACP Wichita branch for dedication as a diligent advocate for civil rights and justice for all, and for outstanding commitment to the youth in the community.

  • Golden Eagle Award - May 2017

    • Award in recognition of influential civic and social standing in the Wichita community

 

 

Education

 

  • Honorary Doctorate, Ministry

  • MBA, Business Administration

  • BS, Human Resource Management      

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