“The Human Relations Commission shall endeavor to support a safe, energetic, and livable city. The commission will support residents working to overcome prejudice and build mutual respect.”
Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, the Human Relations Commission will not be holding in-person meetings until further guidance from the Toledo Lucas County Health Department.
Human Relations Commission general phone and mediation number: (419) 245-1518
The commission consists of fourteen members. Thirteen members are citizens appointed by the mayor and subject to confirmation by council in accordance with the composition requirements set forth herein. The remaining member is a member of city council who sits on the commission in an ex-officio capacity. The council member of the commission is the chairman of the council committee with oversight of the commission as determined by the president and members of council. The council member of the commission is non-voting.
Initially the composition of the thirteen citizen members of the commission will include four members appointed to one-year terms, four members appointed to two-year terms, and five members will be appointed to three-year terms. Members appointed after the initial members are appointed shall be appointed for three-year terms. To the greatest extent practicable, the commission shall be comprised of members who represent the racial and ethnic diversity of the men and women of Toledo, and who have demonstrated in their words and actions a sensitivity to the need to end discrimination and ensure equal opportunity for all.
In order to ensure representation of a broad range of community perspectives, the commission will include one labor representative, one religious affiliation representative, one education representative, one business or economic development representative, one youth representative, one member of the legal community, one neighborhood representative, one LGBT representative, and five at-large appointments. The at-large appointments include the four members and the board chairman who make up an executive committee.
Commission Members
Toledo City Council on June 5, 2018 appointed 12 members to the newly-formed Human Relations Commission. Those selected by the Kapszukiewicz administration for the Human Relations Commission, and confirmed by council, are:
Executive Committee
Chair - Erin Baker, Coordinator, Organizational Learning, Toledo Lucas County Public Library
First Vice Chair - Vacant
Second Vice Chair - Lauraine Carpenter, Principal Trumpet for The Toledo Symphony
Mediation Chair - Thomas Douglas, Attorney, private practice and a trained mediator who trains mediators
Secretary - Ramona Olvera, Policy Researcher and Postsecondary Educator
Community & Neighborhoods
Co-Chair - Michael Alexander, AFL-CIO, UAW liaison to United Way, Board Member, Neighborhood Health Association
Co-Chair - Aisha Sleiman, Staff Attorney, Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc
Social Justice
Co-Chair - Malaika Bell, Program Manager, Office of Diversity and Inclusion, University of Toledo
Co-Chair - Christina Rodriguez, Executive Director, Mom's House
Stop the Violence
Co-Chair - Paul Parker, Community Activist
Co-Chair - David Ross, Creative Placemaking Project Manager, The Arts Commission
Youth Empowerment & Engagement
Co-Chair Brenna Reynolds, Community Service Advocate, former candidate for Rossford School Board
Co-Chair Jose G. Rosales, Career Development Coordinator, Toledo Public Schools, Board Member, East Toledo Family Center, Board Member, Leadership Toledo