Thanks for supporting 49 Lights: Cincinnati Remembers

49 Lights: Cincinnati Remembers was a success thanks to the amazing panelists, Amy Schlag, Director of the UC LGBTQ Center, Steve Newsome, Human Rights Campaign Cincinnati, Karen Dabdoub Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)and Lourdes Riviera League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC). The event was inspirational and another powerful collaboration between the Cincinnati Human Relations Commission and the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.

Thank you to those who shared the event, attended, asked questions, and committed to working outside of forums to honor the lives of those lost, and work towards a society where these tragedies are no longer a reality. 

Keep in touch to learn more about what is to come. 

49 Lights: Cincinnati Remembers interview on Radio-One

Christina Brown, CHRC, Community Outreach & Engagement Coordinator and Dr. Michael Battle, Executive Vice President/Provost, National Underground Railroad Freedom Center discussed 49 Lights: Cincinnati Remembers with Jade West, Radio-One. The interview aired Sunday, July 24 on the Community Connections Program.

Fox19News interview on 49 Lights: Cincinnati Remembers

This morning on Fox19News, Christina Brown, CHRC, Community Outreach & Engagement Coordinator and Jesse Kramer, Creative Director, National Underground Railroad Freedom Center discussed today’s 49 Lights: Cincinnati Remembers event. Program begins at 4:00pm with a community vigil and a panel discussion to honor the 49 victims of the Pulse Nightclub tragedy.

http://www.fox19.com/clip/12625448/49-lights-cincinnati-remembers

TODAY 49 Lights: Cincinnati Remembers, Community Vigil and Panel Discussion

CHRC's Senior Program Manager, Althea Barnett was interviewed for the 49 Lights: Cincinnati Remembers event to be held today at 4:00pm at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. This community vigil and panel discussion is free and open to the public.

http://local12.com/news/local/49-lights-cincinnati-remembers

Community Outreach Advocates working to curb violence in our communities

It was a violent weekend in Cincinnati. Members of the Cincinnati Human Relations Commission Community Outreach Advocates were in Millvale over the weekend, talking with residents and passing out flyers with resources for finding jobs, counseling and support.

So far for 2016, there have been 240 shootings in Cincinnati, which is down from 260 at the same time in 2015. There have also been 39 homicides, which is also down from 45 in the area at the same time the previous year.

http://www.wcpo.com/news/crime/police-chief-after-violent-weekend-we-cant-be-so-quick-to-gun-violence

Childhood Poverty

This morning, staff attended the Child Poverty Collaborative: A Conversation with Scott Spencer. Mr. Spencer's report "A Shared Sentence: the devastating toll of parental incarceration on kids, families and communities" provides a snapshot of mass incarceration's role in child poverty.

According to the Ohio Justice and Policy Center, Ohio has the 7th largest prison population in the nation! In Ohio, Blacks comprise 12% of the population but make up 40+% of the prison population. Individuals who are black and brown continue to be disproportionately represented in our prison system.

Additionally, 1 in 6 Ohioans (1.92 million) have a criminal conviction for a felony or misdemeanor. These criminal backgrounds, in many cases, are having significant impacts on an individual securing and maintaining employment, their and their family's well-being, the community & our world.

The report also provided several recommendations: (1) Ensure children are supported while parents are incarcerated and after they return; (2) Connect parents who have returned to the community with pathways to employment; (3) Strengthen communities, particularly those disproportionately affected by incarceration and reentry, to promote family stability and opportunity.

If we're going to have an impact & reduce childhood poverty, it will require all of us working together to impact multiple systems.

CHRC Identity and Violence Course and Conversation

The Identity and Violence Course is an online opportunity to discuss identity and violence (both using a guided course to assist).

A community discussion with the material this provides will take place on Monday, August 8th, 6-8pm at the Corryville Branch Library Meeting Room, 2802 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45219. Limited parking in the back. 

This course is Free and open to the public. If interested, please email Christina Brown at chrc@cincinnati-oh.gov or call our office, 513.352-3237. 

http://plusacumen.org/courses/in-the-name-of-identity-violence-and-the-need-to-belong/

10th Annual Peace Bowl Classic

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, July 19, 2016

MEDIA CONTACT: CHRC Executive Director Ericka King-Betts, PhD at chrc@cincinnati-oh.gov or by phone at 513.352.3237

10th Annual Peace Bowl Classic

Cincinnati, OH - The Fred Shuttlesworth Chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and the Cincinnati Human Relations Commission will host the “10th Annual Peace Bowl Classic” on Saturday, July 30 and Sunday, July 31, 9:00am (EST) at the University of Cincinnati Sheakley Athletic Center.

  

The cost is $5. Proceeds from this event pay league fees and buy football equipment for youth who otherwise would not be able to participate.

Community Outreach Advocate Program Manager, Pastor Peterson Mingo, organized the first Peace Bowl in 2007 with youth football organizations participating. The Peace Bowl continues to be a yearly event that focuses on youth discipline, determination, training and methods to 'Stop the Violence' in the community. This event is a way for youth to learn to take control of their lives and hold themselves accountable for their decisions. Today, the message is still the same: playing together, breaking down barriers. 

We invite you and your family to come out and support area youth as we all work together to promote peace.

About the Cincinnati Human Relations Commission

CHRC was established in November of 1943 as The Mayor's Friendly Relations Committee. The goal was to appoint a committee that represented various racial, industrial and religious groups to make sure all groups felt a part of their communities and supported one another in the city of Cincinnati. As time passed the name was changed to CHRC and the mission grew to target a much larger issue, discrimination. Thus, the agency's mission is "to help our community to overcome prejudice and discrimination, build mutual respect and understanding, and to become more harmonious and cohesive."

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49 Lights: Cincinnati Remembers

Contact:                                                                  

Ericka King-Betts, PhD

chrc@cincinnati-oh.gov

(513) 352-3237

Jamie Glavic

jglavic@nurfc.org

(513) 333-7511

(513) 802-7355

Assia Johnson

asjohnson@nurfc.org

(513) 333-7555

(513) 787-2110

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Cincinnati Human Relations Commission &

National Underground Railroad Freedom Center present

49 Lights: Cincinnati Remembers

Community Vigil & Panel Discussion to Honor the 49 Victims of the Pulse Nightclub Tragedy

CINCINNATI, OH (July 19, 2016) The Cincinnati Human Relations Commission (CHRC), National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), Greater Cincinnati Human Rights Campaign (HRC), Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati, League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), Office of City of Cincinnati Councilmember Chris Seelbach and University of Cincinnati LGBTQ Center are partnering to honor the victims of the Pulse Nightclub tragedy with a vigil and community conversation 49 Lights: Cincinnati Remembers on Thursday, July 28, 2016 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, 50 E. Freedom Way, Cincinnati, OH 45202. This event is free and open to the public. Seating is limited; RSVPs are requested. Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/49-lights-cincinnati-remembers-tickets-26547054956

On June 12, 2016, 49 innocent lives were lost and countless others were forever changed by an extreme act of violence in Orlando. 49 Lights: Cincinnati Remembers will honor those who have passed on with the lighting of 49 candles as the victims’ names are read and will include a panel discussion providing a call to action for our community to actively work towards having more positive human relations. This joint community program represents the diversity of cultures and the unity of our nation, here in Cincinnati.

A few of the panelists will include Amy Schlag, Director of the University of Cincinnati LGBTQ Center, Steve Newsome, HRC Steering Committee Member, Karen Dabdoub, Executive Director of the Council on American Islamic Relations and Lourdes Ribera, former LULAC Ohio and Cincinnati President.

Ericka King-Betts, PhD, Executive Director, Cincinnati Human Relations Commission, expressed her condolences stating, “We all love, hurt and bleed. And still today, all of our hearts hurt for the individuals lost, their families and the countless others impacted by this act of hate.  But, we will not allow hate to win.”

“Our nation was rocked by the tragedy in Orlando,” says Dr. Clarence G. Newsome, president of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. “This gathering of community organizations and leaders will honor those who lost their lives and outshine hate. We stand in solidarity with the LGBTQ community. We will not allow hate to win.”

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About the Cincinnati Human Relations Commission

The Cincinnati Human Relations Commission was established in November of 1943 as The Mayor’s Friendly Relations Committee. The goal was to appoint a committee that represented various racial, industrial and religious groups to make sure all groups felt a part of their communities and supported one another in the city of Cincinnati. As time passed the name was changed to CHRC and the mission grew to target a much larger issue, discrimination. Thus, the agency's mission is “to help our community to overcome prejudice and discrimination, build mutual respect and understanding, and to become more harmonious and cohesive.”

NAACP Convention

Last week CHRC staff, Nina Jackson (pictured in blue shirt), Althea Barnett and Theresa Joe Lockett, supported the NAACP Kit Committee by placing Conference materials in canvas bags to be handed out at Registration.

Peace Bowl offers powerful place to play

Please join CHRC and the Community Outreach Advocates at our upcoming "Peace Bowl" scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, July 30 and 31st at UC Football field. The $5 cost to get in, goes back to the Peace Bowl for players who can’t afford to be on a team or for travel in case the teams go to regional or national competitions.

Community Outreach Advocate, Program Manager, Pastor Peterson Mingo organized the first Peace Bowl over ten years. Today, the message is still the same: playing together, breaking down barriers.

Special thanks to Deborah Dixon at Channel 12 News for this great coverage.

http://local12.com/news/local/peace-bowl-offers-powerful-place-to-play

AHA Presentation of Award to Vice Mayor Mann

Congratulations Vice Mayor Mann, 2016 recipient of the Affordable Housing Award. Vice Mayor Mann was honored for his decades of commitment to preserving and expanding affordable housing in Greater Cincinnati. Pictured are board members of AHA presenting this honor, including CHRC Community Outreach Engagement Coordinator Christina Brown.

CHRC congratulates Vice Mayor Mann on this honor and will continue to work with organizations like AHA to ensure that safe, livable housing is a reality for all people in Cincinnati.

Channel 12 News interviews Community Outreach Advocate

Community Outreach Advocate, Dorron Hunter interviewed by Channel 12 News on talking to youth about police shootings.

http://local12.com/news/local/police-community-relations-talking-to-youth-about-police-shootings

Channel 9 News interviews Community Outreach Advocate

Community Outreach Advocate, Dorron Hunter interviewed by Channel 9 News on how to act during a traffic stop. Special thanks to Tom McKee.

http://www.wcpo.com/news/local-news/hamilton-county/cincinnati/fatal-police-shootings-prompt-parents-to-teach-kids-how-to-act-during-traffic-stops

POSTPONED - 2016 Friendship Dinner

CHRC regrets to inform you that the 2016 Friendship Dinner has been postponed indefinitely due to circumstances beyond our control. Our apologies for any inconvenience this may cause. We look forward to informing you of future events designed to unify our city. Thank you for your continued support.

Black Lives Matter March

CHRC participated in the Black Lives Matter March held on Sunday, July 10th.

Shooting in Minnesota Leads Governor to Seek U.S. Investigation

Today, another story involving an African American male being shot and killed by officers in Minnesota.

At the Cincinnati Human Relations Commission, we are saddened and angered by the tragic events that occurred yesterday that resulted in another lost life, a family's life impacted forever, and a local, regional & national community left still calling for a need for improved race relations and police & community relations.

When tragedies occur, like this, we mourn for and have empathy for all of those involved; but we also have a responsibility to ensure that the tragedy is not the end of the story. In the wake of this tragedy, and too many others across our nation, we encourage the community to work with agencies like CHRC & engage in dialogue that spurs action.

Since 1943, the Cincinnati Human Relations Commission has worked tirelessly to help our community to overcome prejudice and discrimination, build mutual respect and understanding, and to become more harmonious and cohesive. And, that work continues today.

http://www.theroot.com/articles/news/2016/07/girlfriend-records-aftermath-of-fatal-police-shooting-of-minn-man-during-traffic-stop/

Statement on the shooting and killing of Alton Sterling

The U.S. Justice Department Civil Rights division announced today that it will investigate the killing of a black man pinned to the ground and shot in the chest by two white police officers outside a convenience store in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

At the Cincinnati Human Relations Commission, we are saddened and angered by the tragic events that happened last night that resulted in a lost life, a family's life impacted forever, and a local, regional & national community left still calling for a need for improved race relations and police & community relations.

When tragedies occur, like this, we mourn for and have empathy for all of those involved; but we also have a responsibility to ensure that the tragedy is not the end of the story. In the wake of this tragedy, and too many others across our nation, we encourage the community to work with agencies like CHRC & engage in dialogue that spurs action.

Since 1943, the Cincinnati Human Relations Commission has worked tirelessly to help our community to overcome prejudice and discrimination, build mutual respect and understanding, and to become more harmonious and cohesive. And, that work continues today.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/us-justice-dept-will-investigate-louisiana-police-shooting/ar-BBu0xss?ocid=ansmsnnews11

Aaron Pullins TV Interview on homicide in Westwood

Community Outreach Advocate Aaron Pullins was interviewed by Channel 5 News regarding homicide in Westwood.

http://www.wlwt.com/news/fatal-shooting-latest-in-uptick-of-westwood-violence/40306802