Evansville Vanderburgh Human Relations Commission Meeting – September 23, 2026

The Evansville Vanderburgh Human Relations Commission met in regular session on Wednesday, September 23, 2026. No separate agenda or written minutes were supplied with the source material; based on the transcript, the commission approved prior meeting minutes, approved a sponsorship for the Evansville African American Museum gala, discussed the Downtown Black History Month Banner Project, and received updates on the annual dinner, human rights awards, a fair housing case, and August case statistics. No public citizens were present for public comment.

Consent Calendar

• Prior meeting minutes were approved by voice vote after a motion by Commissioner Dan Carwile and a second. No objections were raised.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public citizens attended the meeting. A visitor who entered during the session said she worked for "EU PDF" and was there for a parks and recreation meeting, not to address the commission.

Sponsorship Request: Color of Humanity Gala

• The director introduced a sponsorship request from the Evansville African American Museum for its Color of Humanity Gala on Saturday, October 17, at Bally's Riverfront Event Center. The event will feature live entertainment, cultural cuisine, a silent auction, and community recognition.
• Sponsorship levels are $7,500, $5,000, $2,000, $1,200, and $750. Individual tickets are $150. Advertisement options are $500 for a full page, $250 for a half page, $125 for a quarter page, and $75 for a business card.
• The director cautioned that the commission's donation account has money from the annual dinner, but that money will also go out for expenses, and the dinner has experienced decreased sponsorships this year, so proceeds will be down considerably. She recommended caution in spending.
• One commissioner described the museum as one of the most prominent cultural institutions in the African American community and supported at least a $500 ad. Commissioners discussed whether to purchase an ad, tickets, or both.
• A motion was made and seconded to purchase a $500 full-page ad and four tickets at $150 each, for a total of $1,100. The motion passed unanimously.

Black History Month Banner Project

• The director asked for feedback on continuing the annual Downtown Black History Month Banner Project, which launched last year. Commissioners expressed strong support for continuing it.
• Last year, banners on Main Street had to be taken down in February to promote the OVC and were moved to different Main Street locations; both sets of banners ended up on Main Street.
• One commissioner proposed that each year's new cohort be displayed on Main Street or Riverside banner poles, and that the previous year's banners be "graduated" to Haney's Corner near the African American Museum for a second year of visibility. Another commissioner suggested placing the banners from the beginning in the locations where they were moved last year to avoid surprises.
• The director noted the existing committee is still in place and Dr. McLeod, who had a conflict last year, is willing to participate this year. The committee may meet in October or November, with an announcement possibly going out at the end of October instead of December to give people more time to submit nominations.
• No formal vote was taken; commissioners voiced consensus to continue the project and refine the placement plan.

Annual Dinner and Mayor's Celebration Human Rights Awards

• The director reported that the awards committee made decisions on the human rights awards, but not all recipients have been contacted yet, so a public announcement will be delayed until recipients are notified. Names have been sent to the trophy company.
• The annual dinner will be held in the exhibit hall on the first floor this year, not the ballroom, because another event is scheduled in the ballroom that morning. The menu has been finalized.
• The speaker will be Reverend Barber. The director has been in contact with the speakers bureau and is finalizing details.
• Discussion about recording the event noted that the contract allows recording, but it may be for archival or agency use only, not for social media. The director said she will check with the speakers bureau about what can be done with the recording.

Strategic Plan Meeting and Notices

• A strategic planning session was scheduled after the commission meeting for 12:30 p.m. in Room 318.
• Commissioner Samantha Bente and another commissioner said they had not received timely notices of strategic plan meetings and wanted dates sent out further in advance. The director apologized and said future notices would be made more prominent. The next strategic planning meeting is scheduled for October 28.

Fair Housing Case and Director's Report

• Counsel reported on the fair housing case Chinesha Hayes versus Arbors of Eastland. The respondent elected to have the case heard as a civil matter in civil court. Kyle B. Secker is handling the case on behalf of the city and the commission. The respondent has filed for a 28-day extension to answer the complaint, with a response deadline around October 12. A hearing date will be announced later.
• The director's report included August statistics: 15 cases were filed, including two pregnancy cases; one case was transferred for lack of jurisdiction; several MPCs were issued; there were no settlements in August; and approximately 77 cases remained open at the end of August.
• The office migrated to a new case management system called NEOS, replacing Needles. Staff also attended the IORA conference in New Orleans.

Community Outreach Update

• Commissioner Samantha Bente reported on her outreach work: meeting with nonprofits and businesses, tabling at disability-related events including Autism Evansville and Easter Seals, contacting cultural organizations such as the Haitian Center and the Immigration Welcome Center, and connecting with disability resource offices at Ivy Tech, USI, and the University of Evansville, as well as advisory board member Michelle Kirk.
• Bente is developing a presentation to educate businesses and nonprofits about anti-discrimination policies and EEOC compliance, and she brings digital and physical materials to community organizations.
• The director reminded commissioners that Bente has been in her first post-college job for under three months and is being trained and monitored; she will become more visible as a community presenter.
• A commissioner suggested that Bente connect with the Evansville Recovery Alliance, noting that people who use drugs are underrepresented in ADA conversations.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the prior meeting minutes by voice vote.
• Approved a $1,100 sponsorship for the Color of Humanity Gala: a $500 full-page ad plus four $150 tickets, passed unanimously.
• Agreed to continue the Downtown Black History Month Banner Project, with the existing committee to reconvene and consider earlier nominations, Riverside or Main Street placements for the new cohort, and Haney's Corner placement for the prior year's banners.
• Delayed public announcement of human rights awards until all recipients are notified; dinner logistics were set for the exhibit hall.
• Director will follow up with the speakers bureau about recording and usage restrictions for the annual dinner.
• Director will improve advance notice for strategic planning meetings; next strategic plan meeting is October 28.
• Fair housing case Chinesha Hayes versus Arbors of Eastland is proceeding in civil court, with the respondent's answer due around October 12.
• Upcoming commission meetings were noted for November 18 and December 16.