CHRC Article in the CIncinnati Herald

The Cincinnati Human Relations Commission

was in the Cincinnati Herald Thursday, October 3, 2013.

Please take a look at the article below.

The 'Dream' lives on at Human Relations Commission

Letter to the editor  

Dear Editor:

 

We at the Cincinnati Human Relations Commission have been following the news of the cessation of operations of BRIDGES for a Just Community with sadness, which was detailed in an article by The Cincinnati Herald. However, now is not the time for dismay or for memories of the past but of hope for the future, because that dream lives on.

The Cincinnati Human Relations Commission began in 1943 as the Mayor's Friendly Relations Committee as a means of addressing tensions brought on by the economic and social reaction to changes during World War II, including the great migration of workers from the rural south in response to the needs of the war effort. At that time, the Committee had over 100 members appointed by the mayor.

Over the decades, the Commission has broadened the scope of its advocacy to include police-community relations, youth empowerment, women issues, and advocating for the disabled. The Commission has never lost its vision of embracing diversity and promotion of communal harmony.

A flagship and current program of the Commission is supplying Outreach Street Workers for the Cincinnati Initiative to Reduce Violence. CHRC also remains focused on being out in the community listening and working to help people overcome prejudice and discrimination and build mutual respect and understanding. For example, CHRC brings individuals and groups together to share cultural experiences (March Human Relations Month Cultural Tasting and Experience). CHRC also encourages conversation and partnership, such as during the Forum with H.O.M.E. titled My Neighborhood is Different-What Happens Next; the National Association of Human Rights Workers' Midwest Regional Conference, a conference that focused on intergroup relationship; and a community forum on the Trayvon Martin jury decision.

CHRC also continues its focus to listen to the voices of Youth, including the Peace Bowl, the Great Youth Debate and regular Nights at the Mic.We are here to listen, be a resource to the community and help anyone who wants to turn their life around by leaving behind violent pasts in order to find peace in their lives.

As one of the founding agencies, CHRC has also been very fortunate to serve on the MLK Coalition and assist with planning and fundraising for the Annual MLK Day Breakfast, March, Interfaith Program and Music Hall Program. CHRC also assists with planning a Memorial Baseball game for a fallen officer and has representation on Councilmember Simpson’s Youth Advisory Commission; assists with the Episcopal Bishop Task Force on Racial Profiling and Reconciliation; the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program, and assists numerous other coalitions and committees in the community and with the City’s elected officials.

 The agency is also a strong supporter of our affiliates and other agencies that share similar missions and visions. The staff has attended numerous symposiums, annual meetings, neighborhood parades. We are honored to support the Ohio Civil Rights Hall of Fame induction ceremony, Community Action Agency, Soteni International cupcake affair and the YWCA’s Heart to Heart Racial Justice Breakfast.

Over the years, many of the Commissioners who provide leadership of Human Relations in the city have completed prior leadership roles at BRIDGES and even earlier at the National Conference for Community and Justice.

The City and private fund-raising efforts support the programs of the Commission

The Commission has a 70-year record of accomplishment of providing timely intervention and effective outreach at the grass-roots street level depending on the needs of the community at that moment in time. Today, the CHRC has a strong Board of Commissioners, committed leadership under its Executive Director Dr. Ericka King-Betts, and a renewed staff of hands-on advocates who look forward to making Cincinnati a better and more welcoming place for all to live in. The dream lives on.

Dr. Ericka King-Betts, CHRC Executive Director

Charleston C K Wang, CHRC Vice President