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 the
Greater Warren-Youngstown Urban League at 1350 Fifth Avenue, Suite
100 Human Relations Commission office. 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 Huff, Executive Director
(2007 to present)
He is a native of Youngstown, Ohio, and earned his Bachelors of
Arts Degree in Political Science from the University of Cincinnati
and his Masters of Arts in Conflict Resolution from Antioch
University. Prior to this position, Mr. Huff served on the Human
Relations Commission actively hearing fair employment and fair
housing issues in the city. Mr. Huff is trained in mediation and
various Alternative Dispute Resolution techniques. Mr. Huff looks
forward to serving the citizens of this 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
Arlene Floyd, Chairperson
(Appointed: 9/12/06 - 9/12/10; Chairperson: 5/1/09 - 5/1/11)
Ms. Floyd earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from
Youngstown State University. She received her M.B.A., in marketing
and finance from Columbia University Graduate School of Business.
She has certification as an entrepreneurship instructor form the
National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship. Ms. Floyd
relocated to Youngstown in 1997 to work for the School (College) of
Technology at Kent State University, Kent Campus as director of
enrollment management and student services. In 2000, she returned to
her alma mater, Youngstown State University (YSU), as director of
associate degree and tech prep programs. Presently, Ms. Floyd as
director of associate degree and tech prep programs is responsible
for managing the College Tech Prep program and facilitating the
marketing and enrollment of the associate degree programs at YSU.
Jacquelyn Johnson, Vice Chairperson
(Appointed: 10/2/07 - 10/2/11; Vice Chairperson: 5/1/09 - 5/1/11)
Jacquelyn Daniel, Commission member since 2007, is originally from
Warren, Ohio and graduated from Warren Public Schools. She went on
to attain her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a major in Fashion
Marketing and a minor in African American Studies from Virginia
Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. After completing her
undergraduate work, Ms. Daniel worked for the Virginia Museum of
Fine Arts as the assistant community relations coordinator managing
the Friends of African and African American Art, and arts support
group based at the Virginia Museum. From there, she worked as a
Business Services Manager for the Greater Richmond Chamber of
Commerce and as the Marketing Analyst for the Virginia Department of
Minority Business Enterprise with the state of Virginia. Currently,
Ms. Daniel is employed as the Annual Giving Coordinator for
Youngstown State University.
An active member of the community, Ms. Daniel's volunteer
involvements include the Warren Civic League and the Cradle Roll
Committee at Third Baptist Church. She resides in the city of
Youngstown.
Alphonso Curry, Member
(Appointed: 5/21/02 - 5/21/06; Reappointed: 5/21/06 - 5/21/10)
Mr. Curry brings 20 plus years of Human Resource/Diversity and
Inclusion training to the Human Relations Commission. Currently Mr.
Curry is the EEO Contract Compliance Officer with the Youngstown
City School District. Mr. Curry is the Liaison with unions,
contractors, community agencies to encourage diversity in employment
opportunities. In a multi-year, $200 Million Dollar new school
construction project. Mr. Curry has a degree in Labor
Relations/Journalism from State University in New York and he is
certified in Collective Bargaining/Grievance procedures.
Porfirio Esparra, Jr., Member
(Appointed: 11/6/07 - 11/6/11)
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)
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.
Carole I. McWilson
(Appointed: 12/18/08 - 12/18/12)
Mrs. McWilson has over 20 years of experience in human resources
and management, earned a BA in Business Management from National
University, San Diego, and received her Certification in Human
Resources Management from the University of California, San Diego.
She and her husband relocated to Youngstown from San Diego,
California where she was the Director of Human Resources for a
biotech/pharmaceutical firm. Prior to that, she was with a national
healthcare organization, and has prior experience with a nationwide
job search & development organization. She has served on the Boards
of several professional organizations, and was active in the
community.
Mrs. McWilson is the co-founder of the FAMILY Empowerment Student
Achievement Institute, which is dedicated to equal and equitable
education for all children, specifically those who have been
historically deprived of this opportunity. She is also an active
member of Altrusa International and the Unitarian Universalist
Church. Mrs. McWilson and her husband, Jimma, reside in Youngstown.
Contact Information
Address:
City of Youngstown
Human Relations Commission
1350 Fifth Avenue, Suite 100
Youngstown, OH 44504
| 330.259.9063 |
| 330.259.9064 |