The Providence Human Relations Commission is proud to publish its 2018 Annual Report, pursuant to City Charter art. XI §1103(b)(4).
Impaneled in 1963, the Providence Human Relations Commission works primarily to build community, expanding and protecting residents’ rights to fair housing, education, employment, credit, and public accommodations, free from discrimination.
In 2018, the Commission has continued to ensure Providence residents have access to the most comprehensive public anti-discrimination investigation and adjudication services available, through an ongoing partnership with the Rhode Island Commission for Human Rights. The Commission has also worked to build internal capacity, expand access to meaningful services, and elevate community voice. It looks forward to continuing to work with the Mayor’s Office and City Council to protect human rights, center community, and expand access City-wide in 2019.
Currently serving on the Commission are Chair Patricia LaSalle, Vice-Chair Chace Baptista, Secretary John Gaffney, and Commissioners Kai LoMuscio, Maria Monteiro, Cesar Teo, Celeste Terry-Lo, and Raymond Two Hawks Watson. Staffing the Commission are Senior Assistant City Solicitor Steve Ryan and Executive Director Sol Taubin. The Commission thanks former Director Kayla Laurel Powell, former Legal Counsel and Deputy City Solicitor Adrienne Southgate, and outgoing Commissioner Lucy Rose for their commitment to equal rights and their service to the City.