Oklahoma City Council today approved nine residents to the City’s new Human Rights Commission.
Valerie Couch, At-Large Member/Chair
Ralph Crawford, Ward 1
Cindy Nguyen, Ward 2
Councilwoman Barbara Young, Ward 3
Leslie Shaw VanBurskirk, Ward 4
Brian Wall, Ward 5
Ana “Deisy” Escalera, Ward 6
Marsha Herron, Ward 7
Rhonda Hooper, Ward 8
The Commission will be staffed by a Compliance Officer appointed by the City Manager, who will report to the Chief Inclusion and Diversity Officer. An attorney from the Municipal Counselor’s Office will serve as legal counsel for the Compliance Officer and the Commission.
“We look forward to supporting the Commission by providing residents with conciliation services and ensuring everyone is treated with respect and dignity,” said Oklahoma City’s Chief Inclusion and Diversity Officer Shalynne Jackson. “I’m also excited about the educational opportunities the group will offer the public, promoting equity and strengthening our cultural competence as a community.”
The first Commission meeting will be held in January 2023.
Among other duties, the Human Rights Commission will be responsible for addressing alleged harm to people who have been discriminated against because of their race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, national origin, age, familial status, genetic information, or disability related to employment, housing, and public accommodations as provided by Oklahoma laws regarding Discrimination.
The Human Rights Commission is made up of nine members. Each of the eight City Council members recommended to the Mayor one person to represent their Ward. The Mayor appointed one person at large, who will serve as the Commission Chair. The ordinance establishing the Commission requires one member to be a lawyer.
Initially, members representing even-numbered wards will serve for two years and members representing odd-numbered wards will serve for three years. Following the initial service, terms will be for three years.
Some of the Commission’s responsibilities include:
- Coordinating with the community, including public and private agencies, to promote human rights.
- Working with law enforcement agencies by referring violations or apparent violations of anti-discrimination laws to them.
- Recommending studies or surveys that promote anti-discrimination policies.
- Producing an annual report of the Commission’s activities.
- Establishing advisory committees to help the Commission.
- Participating in at least one educational event annually that promotes human rights.
The City’s previous Human Rights Commission met from 1980 until it was disbanded by the City Council in 1996.
Task Force Background
Mayor David Holt created the Human Rights Commission Task Force in 2020 and named the following co-chairs: Ward 7 Councilwoman Nikki Nice, Maurianna Adams and Dr. Andrea Benjamin. The City solicited public comments on the ordinance from May 24 to July 5 and received input from 122 people.
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Media Contact
Kristy Yager
(405) 297-2550
kristy.yager@okc.gov