Home

City Hall Business Incentives Neighborhood Improvement About Youngstown F.A.Q. City Charter & Ordinances Departments Directory Employment Forms Meetings & Events Surplus Auction Demolition Green Youngstown Neighborhood Groups Property Code Enforcement Property Registration Bicycling in Youngstown Community Links History Homebuyer Incentives Maps and Weather Neighborhoods Parks & Recreation Youngstown 2010

Home > City Hall > Departments > Human Relations Commission

• Purpose
• 2011 Progress Report
• MBE/WBE/EDGE
• Meet the Commission
• Commission Members
• Contact

Human Relations Commission

Purpose

It is found that prejudice and discrimination against any individual or group because of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex place of birth, age, marital status or handicap is inimical to American tradition of equality of opportunity for all, and menaces peace and public welfare; that to eliminate such prejudice and discrimination an instrumentality of government should be established through which the residents of the City may be kept informed of denials within the City of such equality of opportunity and may seek enforcement of the rights secured by Section 547.01 and 547.07 and developments which promote such equality. From this instrumentality the elected and appointed officials, and the departments of this City may obtain expert advice and assistance in adopting those measures to keep peace and good order and harmony among the residents of the City, to bring about and maintain harmony, to avoid inter-group tensions, to promote tolerance and goodwill and to insure equality of treatment and opportunity to all regardless of race, color, sex, ancestry, national origin, place of birth, age, marital status or handicap. (Ord.86-142).

Your Rights and Responsibilities as a Complainant

The Youngstown Human Relations Commission accepts complaints of discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or ancestry of birth in the areas of:

• Fair Employment
• Fair Housing

Any persons who believe themselves hurt by a discriminatory act or practice may phone or visit the Human Relations Commission office, and tell us the facts regarding the discriminatory complaint. Complaints may be filed within 180 days or six months of the date the discriminatory act occurred. If the Human Relations Commission has jurisdiction we will proceed.

How to File a Complaint

To file a complaint of discrimination with the Human Relations Commission please call our office at (330) 259-9063 or visit us at 16 Wick Avenue, Suite 505, Youngstown, OH 44503. You may also download the following form, fill it out and mail or FAX (330.259.9064) it to our office.

The Human Relations Commission staff will assist you in writing a brief outline describing the facts, and word a charge of violation of local civil rights law or policy, on a form, which requires your notarized signature. At this time, you would give the Commission staff person all the details and answer all questions as fully as you can. Names, dates, places, addresses and details of what happened should be as accurate as possible. Documents such as employee handbooks, policy/procedures, and documented facts can help to support charges of discrimination. If you have witnesses, it's important to give full names, and how the Commission staff can contact them.

The Investigation

The Commission staff will seek a response from persons you name in your complaint, who become the "Respondent". Staff interviews witnesses who have been specified, and others who have knowledge of the facts. Support documents are also collected. The Commission staff may ask that you clarify some aspects of your complaint in regard to new information gathered. Should you learn or remember any additional information, notify the Commission staff immediately.

Your Rights and Responsibilities as a Respondent

You, as the "Respondent" (that is, the person or organization responding to the charge of discrimination made in the complaint) will be given every opportunity to ask questions, provide information and offer witnesses. The Human Relations Commission attempts at all times to protect you from unfounded charges of discrimination.

The Human Relations Commission procedure is administrative. In an investigation, the Human Relations Commission may request access to premises, records, and documents relevant to the complaint, and has the right to examine, photograph and copy evidence. Your cooperation in an objective investigation can assure you of a fair decision on the complaint.

The Human Relations Commission prefers to work with you, but reserves the right to refer complaints to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or the Ohio Civil Rights Commission (OCRC).

YOU AS THE RESPONDENT CANNOT, ACT IN ANY ADVERSE WAY AGAINST A PERSON WHO HAS FILED A COMPLAINT, AGAINST A WITNESS FOR THE COMPLAINANT, OR RESIST, INTERFERE WITH THE HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION STAFF IN THE LAWFUL PERFORMANCE OF THEIR DUTY.

What to Expect

The Human Relations Commission has the authority to decide whether or not the complaint is justified. After studying a written report of the investigation, the Commission may find:

• Probable Cause, and begin a conciliation process.
  
  The Commission holds informal meetings with the respondent and the complainant to work out terms and conditions to eliminate discriminatory practices. If a satisfactory voluntary agreement can be reached, the respondent is required to sign a written conciliation agreement. When there is no satisfactory voluntary settlement, the Commission staff may call for a hearing officer to hear the complainant and respondent. Documents are filed as evidence, and testimony under oath is heard.
  
  
• No Probable Cause, and dismiss the complaint.

During the formal hearing:

• No discrimination occurred and dismiss the complaint; or
• Discrimination occurred and issues a request that the respondent end the discriminatory practice.

Meet the Commission

Jonathan Bentley, Executive Director

(2012 to present)

A native of Youngstown, Ohio, Jonathan A. Bentley was appointed as Executive Director of the Human Relations Commission in September of 2012. He has attained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social and Behavioral Sciences from the Ohio State University, as well as, a Master of Science in Education and Counseling from Youngstown State University. Prior to his appointment with the Human Relations Commission, Mr. Bentley has worked professionally with The Ohio State University (Career and Employment Services), Youngstown State University (Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity and the Office of Associate Degree and Tech Prep Programs), the Youngstown City School District, and the Cleveland Browns Football Organization (Football Operations).

In his spare time, Mr. Bentley enjoys mentoring the youth of Youngstown and surrounding areas. He has coached youth and high school basketball for nearly 10 years and assists college-bound students and their families with the application process, as well as, finding grants and scholarships.

Mr. Bentley looks forward to continuing his service to city of Youngstown and surrounding community.

Darlene L. M. Hightower, Secretary

(1982 to present)

A native of Youngstown, Ohio, Darlene L. M. Hightower served the Human Relations Commission from 1982 to present. She began her employment with the City of Youngstown on March 27, 1978 and worked in the offices of Finance Department (Computer Room), Community Development Agency (CDA) (Housing Rehabilitation), Health Department (Nursing Division/Vital Statistics), Youngstown Police Department (Emergency Desk) and the Affirmative Action Office (the office name changed to Fair Employment Practice Commission (FEPC), then to COMPLIANCE, and is currently named Human Relations Commission (HRC)). Ms. Hightower also served as secretary for the Youngstown Charter Review Committee 2004-2005.

Commission Members

Jaison Boyd, Chairperson

(Appointed: 6/8/10 - 6/8/14; Vice Chairperson: 11/9/10 - 11/9/12)

Jacob L. Harver, Vice Chairperson

(Appointed: 5/2/11 - 5/2/15)

Jacob Harver is a lifelong resident of Youngstown. He attended Ursuline High School and in 2005 graduated Magna Cum Laude from Youngstown State University, majoring in History with a minor in Africana Studies. In addition to the proprietorship of the Lemon Grove, Mr. Harver is involved in multiple projects and organizations. His focus is on economic, political, and cultural development, environmental justice, and the arts.

Porfirio Esparra, Jr., Member

(Appointed: 11/6/07 - 11/6/11; Re-appointed: 3/20/12 - 11/6/15)

Mr. Esparra is the Director of Employee Relations with Humility of Mary Health Partners St. Elizabeth Health Center. Mr. Esparra is a trained Facilitator, having certifications in Effective Communications, Equal Employment Opportunity and Quality Improvement. Mr. Esparra attended Youngstown State University where he received a dual degree in Social Work & Spanish. When Mr. Esparra is not working he belongs to numerous civic community organizations. Currently Mr. Esparra sits on the Board of Turning Point Counseling, Ohio Society of Health Care Human Resources Administrators, Mollie Kessler Community School YSU Partners for work Place Diversity, Villa Maria Residential Services, Mahoning County Juvenile Justice Center Advisory Board, and a active member of St. Rose of Lima Parish. Mr. Esparra is a resident of Youngstown and enjoys spending time with family, playing guitar and congas, listening and dancing to Salsa music, fishing hunting and gardening.

Ina Madison, Member

(Appointed: 8/22/06 - 8/22/10; Re-appointed: 8/23/10 - 8/23/14)

Retired Labor Relations representative from General Motors. BS and MBA from YSU. Working currently with Mahoning County Training Association as a Workforce Development Liaison. Lifelong Youngstown resident.

Contact Information

Copyright © 2008-2013 City of Youngstown, Ohio - All Rights Reserved
26 S. Phelps Street, Youngstown, Ohio 44503 - www.cityofyoungstownoh.com - webmaster