Meets
Oct. 10, 2019
6 P.M. - 7:30 P.M.
Agenda
Location
City of Raleigh Municipal Building
City Council Chambers
222 W. Hargett Street
Raleigh, NC 27601
Meeting Minutes
Public Participation
Everyone is invited to attend meetings of the Commission.
If you would like to schedule an appearance before the Commission, contact Marquita Mbonu at 919-996-5740.
Purpose
The City of Raleigh's Human Relations Commission (RHRC) advises the City Council in the area of human services and human rights. The Human Relations Commission works to promote human dignity, equal opportunity and harmony among Raleigh residents.
Promoting activities and programs for residents without regard to race, color, creed, gender, age, sexual orientation, or national origin. The commission sponsors a number of activities that promote diversity and human relations.
Activities
The Commission sponsors a number of activities that promote diversity and human relations. Among them:
- Human Relations Awards
The annual Human Relations Awards recognize those who make outstanding contributions to advancing human rights in our city. Awards go to individuals, organizations, businesses and students.
- Mayor's Unity Day Celebration
This annual event brings people together to share ideas that enhance understanding of diverse cultures and improve human relations. Community, faith, business and education leaders, along with residents who want to strengthen human relations, come together to learn about diversity, share insights and build an open and inviting community.
- Human Services Grants
The Commission reviews requests from human services agencies seeking grants from the City and makes recommendations to the City Council. The grants are awarded annually to nonprofits that serve the elderly, youth, those with handicaps, those who abuse substances and homeless.
- Community Dialogues
The Commission sponsored a series of dialogues that engaged the public in how the City of Raleigh can best serve its increasingly diverse population.
Members
- Chris Moutos
Chairperson
Serving: 3rd Re-Term, 3/19/2018 - 3/18/2020 - Emily Kissee
Vice-Chairperson
Serving: 2nd Term, 4/22/2019-4/21/2021 - Melissa Florer-Bixler
Secretary
Serving: 2nd Term - 2/21/2018 - 2/20/2020 - Bearta Al Chahar
Serving: 1st Term - 1/23/19 - 1/21/21 - Wrenia Bratts-Brown
Serving: 3rd Term, 4/16/2018 - 4/15/2020 - Tanzeel Chohan
Serving: 3rd Re-Term, 4/16/2018 - 4/15/2020 - Nura Elhentaty
Serving: 1st Term, 4/3/2019 - 4/2/2021 - Eric Handy
Serving: 2nd Term, 2/8/2019 - 2/7/2021 - Keith Karlsson
Serving: 2nd Term, 7/5/2018 - 7/6/2020 - Taty Padilla
Serving: 2nd Term, 3/1/2018 - 3/15/2020 - James Purington
Serving: 3rd Term - 6/6/2018 - 6/7/2020 - Mary Thompson
Serving: 1st Term - 7/4/2018 - 7/3/2020 - Byron Laws
Serving: 1st Term - 6/19/2019 - 6/8/2021
Human Services Grants
The City of Raleigh awards grants annually to nonprofit organizations that provide services to Raleigh residents who belong to five targeted groups: the elderly, youth, persons with handicaps or disabilities, substance abusers and homeless individuals.
To qualify for a grant, an applicant must be a private nonprofit organization with headquarters in the City of Raleigh. An applicant must have at least one year of recent experience in the delivery of services, maintain 501(c) (3) tax-exempt status and demonstrate sensitivity to the special needs of its clientele.
Grants are awarded on a fiscal-year basis. The Raleigh Human Relations Commission makes recommendations to the Raleigh City Council on which applications to approve.
Below are the following steps in receiving, reviewing and approving grant applications:
- End of November: Request for Proposals made public.
- December: Workshops held for agency's interested in applying
- January: Applications are due
- January-March: Applications are reviewed by a subcommittee consisting of representatives from the Human Relations Commission, Substance Use Advisory Commission, Wake County Human Services, United Way of the Greater Triangle and the nonprofit community.
- March/April: The subcommittee submits its recommendations to the full Human Relations Commission. The Commission considers and discusses the recommendations of the subcommittee, then forwards its recommendations to City administration.
- May: City Council makes the final decision on funding as part of its budget approval. Grant applicants receive notification of City Council's decision.
- July 1 - June 30: Contract period for awarded grants.
