Human Relations Commission

Meetings

5:30 p.m.
4th Thursday of every month

Members

Method of Appointment

The Commission is composed of 13 members who are appointed by the City Council, upon the recommendation of the Mayor. Seven of the members must be from minority or ethnic groups. All members must be bona fide adults maintaining a permanent residence inside the corporate limits of the City of Winston-Salem.

Number of Members

Thirteen

Terms of Office

Three Years

Chief Staff Person

Wanda Allen-Abraha
Human Relations Director
Phone: 336-734-1226

Current Membership - City Council Appointments

Name	Race & Gender	Term	Expiration
Robert Leak, Chair	Black Male	2	December 2020
Kerry Wiggins-Vice Chair	Black Female	2 (Serving more than 50% of an unexpired term (more than one year and seven months of the term has expired)	December 2022
Jeffrey Bloomfield	White Male	2	December 2022
Sonny Haynes	African American	2	December 2020
Michely Preble	Hispanic Female	1	December 2022
Joshua Price	White Male	1	December 2020
Ruth Sartin	White Female	2	December 2022
Fred Taylor	Black Male	1	December 2020
Melissa Thompson	White Female	1	December 2022
Dr. Patrick Usher	Black Male	1	December 2021

Authority for Creation

The authority for establishing the Human Relations Commission is N.C.G.S. 160A-492. The Commission was created by Section 2-210 of the City Code and adopted by the City Council on February 6, 1978.

Purpose/Function

The purpose of the Commission is to study problems of discrimination in any or all fields of human relationship and encourage fair treatment and mutual understanding among all ethnic groups in the City. For more specific information, see Section 2-211 of the City Code.

Vision

The creation of a citywide environment that is a place where everyone is treated fairly.

Mission

The mission of the Winston-Salem Human Relations Commission ("WSHRC/HRD") is to educate, create, facilitate, promote, anticipate, study, and recommend programs, projects, feedback, and actions for the elimination of discrimination in any and all fields of human relationships.

Duties

Study problems of discrimination in any or all fields of human relationship and encourage fair treatment and mutual understanding among all ethnic groups in the city
Promote equality of opportunity for all citizens
Provide channels of communication among all ethnic groups
Encourage the employment of qualified people of all ethnic groups
Encourage youth to become better trained and qualified for employment opportunities
Anticipate and discover those practices most likely to create animosity and unrest among racial and ethnic groups and by consultation seek a solution as these problems arise or are anticipated
Hold such meetings as the commission may deem necessary or proper to assist in carrying out its functions
Make recommendations to the city council for action it deems necessary for the furtherance of harmony among racial and ethnic groups in the city
Perform duties consistent with general law as may be assigned it from time to time by the city council
Perform such other duties as necessary to enforce the powers assigned it in accordance with Article IV, the Fair Housing Ordinance of the City of Winston-Salem, of Chapter 38 of the City Code
Facilitate partnerships with fair housing and cultural community organizations to further the purpose of the commission.

The nature and the extent of its policies and programs are determined and set by the commission and shall be implemented within accepted policies and procedures of the city.