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Nkechi Taifa to Be Honored at Commission on Human Rights Awards

Monday, November 9, 2015
High school human rights ambassadors will also be honored at the December 9th event

CONTACT: Elliot Imse, Director of Policy and Communications – 202.481.3773; [email protected]

Nkechi Taifa to Be Honored at Commission on Human Rights Awards

High school human rights ambassadors will also be honored at the December 9th event

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – The District of Columbia Commission on Human Rights will honor Nkechi Taifa for her contributions to advancing civil rights in the District at the 5th Annual Commission on Human Rights Awards on Wednesday, December 9. Ms. Taifa, currently a senior policy analyst for civil and criminal justice reform at the Open Society Foundations, is the former Chair of the DC Commission on Human Rights and for decades has worked to address racial disparities in the criminal justice system. In addition to Ms. Taifa, local high school students selected as finalists for the Youth Human Rights Ambassador Contest will be honored for their projects related to human rights in the District.

“Former Commissioner Taifa has dedicated her career to advocating on behalf of people of color, women and returning citizens, and the District is a better place because of her work,” said Commission Chief Judge David Simmons. “We are excited to honor her accomplishments and those of the Youth Human Rights ambassadors, who symbolize the next generation of civil rights leaders.”

The Youth Human Rights Ambassador program – a joint venture between the Commission and the Georgetown University Law Center’s Street Law Clinic – has law students teach high school students about the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the District of Columbia Human Rights Act. After learning about human rights, the high school students are asked to develop a creative work reflecting their understanding of human rights or a specific human rights issue. Top projects will receive awards at the event.

WHEN:
Wednesday, December 9, 2015
5 pm - 8 pm (reception from 5pm – 6 pm)
RSVP information below

WHERE:
Kaiser Family Foundation’s Barbara Jordan Center
1330 G Street Northwest
Washington, DC

The event is open to the public, but we request attendees RSVP by Thursday, December 3 at commissionawards2015.eventbrite.com or by calling (202) 727-0656.

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About the District of Columbia Commission on Human Rights

The Commission on Human Rights is a quasi-independent body whose primary function is to adjudicate private sector discrimination complaints brought under the DC Human Rights Act. It is comprised of 15 volunteer Commissioners appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council. Three administrative law judges assist the Commission in upholding its responsibilities.

About the District of Columbia Office of Human Rights

The District of Columbia Office of Human Rights (OHR) was established to eradicate discrimination, increase equal opportunity and protect human rights for persons who live in or visit the District of Columbia. The agency enforces local and federal human rights laws, including the DC Human Rights Act, by providing a legal process to those who believe they have been discriminated against. OHR also proactively enforces human rights in the District through Director’s Inquiries, which allow it to identify and investigate practices and policies that may be discriminatory.

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