A graphic promoting the 37th Annual Human Rights Awards.

37th Annual Human Rights Awards winners announced

Monday, November 23, 2020 - 2:00pm
Contact: 
Stefanie Bowers
Equity and Human Rights

Due to the pandemic, the Annual Human Rights Awards program has been cancelled. Instead this year’s honorees are being acknowledged without the traditional breakfast ceremony.

In lieu of the ceremony, the Iowa City Human Rights Commission is proud to recognize the following individuals and organizations that were selected for the 37th Annual Human Rights Awards.

The Isabel Turner Award goes to Leslie and Scott Carpenter for their work towards the rights of individuals to get fair treatment

Serious Brain Disorders Advocates Leslie...

National Native American Heritage Month graphic.

Mayor Bruce Teague signs National Native American Heritage Month proclamation

Wednesday, November 18, 2020 - 8:30am
Contact: 
Stefanie Bowers
Equity and Human Rights

Iowa City Mayor Bruce Teague has proclaimed the month of November as National Native American Heritage Month in Iowa City.

Congress authorized the month in 1986, and President Reagan signed its first commemorative proclamation, which reads in part, “many of the foods we eat and the medicines and remedies we use were introduced by Indians and more than one highway follows an Indian trail. Indians make contributions in every area of endeavor and American life, and our literature and all our arts draw upon Indian themes and wisdom. Countless American Indians have served in our Armed...

The Transgender Pride flag is shown flying.

November 13-19 is Transgender Awareness Week

Monday, November 16, 2020 - 4:15pm
Contact: 
Stefanie Bowers
Equity and Human Rights

The City of Iowa City will recognize Transgender Awareness Week with a proclamation read by Mayor Bruce Teague at the formal City Council meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2020, and by flying of the Transgender Pride Flag at City Hall through November 19, 2020.

November holds many opportunities to learn about the transgender community. Gwen Smith, a San-Francisco transgender activist, created both the Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR, November 20) and the web project Remembering Our Dead to memorialize murdered transgender and gender non-conforming people. The week before TDoR,...

A graphic promoting an internship with the Office of Equity and Human Rights.

Winter/Spring internship available at Office of Equity and Human Rights

Wednesday, November 4, 2020 - 3:00pm
Contact: 
Stefanie Bowers
Equity and Human Rights

The Office of Equity & Human Rights is hiring for a winter/spring student intern. The tentative duration is from December 2020 through June 1, 2021. Applicant must work 25 hours per week during variable daytime hours Monday through Friday. The wage is $13.25 per hour. Application deadline: Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2020. Visit www.icgov.org/jobs to apply online.

Examples of duties: Under direct supervision, assists in creating materials to promote awareness of the City’s racial equity, social justice and fair housing choice initiatives. Assists...

Office of Equity & Human Rights issues memo on websites as places of public accommodation

Monday, November 2, 2020 - 3:15pm
Contact: 
Stefanie Bowers
Equity and Human Rights

The City's Office of Equity and Human Rights has written a memo to provide guidance to Iowa City business owners regarding website accessibility as it relates to the Americans with Disabilities Act.

If you have questions regarding topics addressed in this memorandum or your rights and responsibilities in general, please call the office at 319-356-5015 or 319-356-5022.

Learn more about this subject by reading the full memo .

Join the African American Museum of Iowa for a virtual presentation featuring the Tuskegee Airmen

Friday, October 23, 2020 - 4:30pm
Contact: 
Stefanie Bowers
Equity and Human Rights

The Tuskegee Airmen were the Black heroes of the skies during World War II—they included some of the most decorated fliers of the war and lost minimal bombers to enemy fire. Discover the stories of the Airmen, including 13 Iowans, and learn about how these brave soldiers fought for freedom abroad and equality at home. This virtual program will be presented by the African American Museum of Iowa at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020 via Zoom.

How to take part in the presentation

...

Graphic promoting the Iowa Summit on Justice and Disparities on Oct. 29, 2020.

Register now to attend the 8th Annual Iowa Summit On Justice & Disparities

Thursday, October 22, 2020 - 12:00pm
Contact: 
Geoff Fruin
City Manager's Office

Local leaders, along with representatives from the Iowa City Police Department, will be attending the 8th Annual Iowa Summit on Justice and Disparities virtually on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020. The conference begins at 8 a.m. and concludes at 4:30 p.m.

If you are interested in criminal justice reform, register today to learn more on this import topic, as state decision makers, national experts, and community advocates address minority disproportionality in the criminal justice system.

About the Summit

Online this year due to COVID-19, the annual summit regularly hosts panels,...

Join Inside Out Reentry's Women in Reentry forum

Wednesday, October 14, 2020 - 9:00am
Contact: 
Stefanie Bowers
Equity and Human Rights

Inside Out Reentry will be hosting a complimentary virtual forum with keynote speaker Michelle Daniel Jones, followed by a panel of formerly incarcerated women and reentry service providers, from noon to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020.

The speakers and panelists will emphasize the importance of services developed and led by those who have experienced reentry themselves and offer potential paths forward with opportunities for future growth. The forum will focus on women in reentry, highlighting the gender-based inequities that exist both in the criminal justice system and when...

A graphic promoting fair housing.

Fair Housing Online Training available 24/7

Tuesday, October 13, 2020 - 8:00am
Contact: 
Stefanie Bowers
Equity and Human Rights

The Office of Equity and Human Rights recently created an online fair housing training that can be completed 24/7. This training provides an in-depth look at many local fair housing laws and best practices, including state and local protected categories, reasonable accommodations and modifications, prohibited activities, assistance animals, service animals, and much more at no cost.

This is the perfect training opportunity for those in the housing industries or for persons who want to know their rights as they relate to fair housing. The training takes approximately 35 minutes to...

Graphic promoting informational sessions on how to apply for the Social Justice and Racial Equity Grant for Fiscal Year 2021.

Community invited to learn how to apply for the Social Justice & Racial Equity Grant

Friday, October 9, 2020 - 12:00pm
Contact: 
Stefanie Bowers
Equity and Human Rights

Organizations interested in applying for the City’s Social Justice and Racial Equity Grant for FY2021 can remotely attend one of two informational meetings being offered on the grant. Both sessions are being held virtually via Zoom.

Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2020 from 6-7:15 p.m. Join Zoom Meeting at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81655636024?pwd=QVBiZUloTHJJQnMrUGpiemROeEY5dz09 Meeting ID: 816 5563 6024

Wednesday, Nov. 18 from 1 -2:15 p.m. Join...

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