Evansville Human Relations Commission Board Meeting - October 28, 2026

On Wednesday, October 28, 2026, the Evansville Human Relations Commission (HRC) held its regular board meeting, scheduled for 11:30 a.m. in Civic Center Room 301 in Evansville, Indiana. The board approved minutes as corrected, debriefed the Annual Dinner & Mayor's Celebration of Human Rights Awards, discussed the upcoming 12:30 p.m. strategic planning session and broader community violence concerns, reviewed the Black History Month Banner Project, and received updates from the Director and legal counsel. A quorum was present. Note: the raw transcript refers to the chair as "Ruby McLean" at points; the official agenda lists Ruby McGlown.

Consent Calendar

• Agenda requests: none.
• Minutes: Motion to approve the minutes as corrected, changing the referenced approval from September to August. The motion passed unanimously (all in favor, none opposed).

Annual Dinner & Mayor's Celebration of Human Rights Awards (Debrief)

• Director Diane Clements-Boyd opened a debrief of the annual dinner. Commissioners praised the event: the room was large and full, and the food service was excellent - one commissioner ranked the meal among the top three they've had at the venue and noted the food was served hot.
• Ticket sales were approximately 300, similar to the prior year. Sponsorships were lower than in past years, which Director Boyd said the commission needs to explore and improve.
• A recording of keynote speaker Reverend Barber exists with two cameras and good quality, but the viewing links were not working; staff are working with the AV technician to make it available to commissioners on a password-protected internal server for archival purposes.
• Commissioner Samantha Buente recommended directly soliciting previous ad buyers. She said she sponsored an ad last year, was not asked again, and would have said yes - calling for better follow-up and record-keeping. Director Boyd agreed the commission could use more help and better delegation, and noted sponsors normally receive a thank-you card and a copy of the speaker's book.
• The speaker's books did not arrive from the vendor this year; the speaker's tight schedule also prevented a formal book signing, though he signed books attendees brought. Staff are still trying to purchase the books, potentially from another vendor.
• Commissioner Buente relayed community feedback that the last few featured speakers have been religious leaders and that some community members would prefer a non-religious leader. Director Boyd said the selections were based on civil rights and diversity/inclusion work, not religious affiliation, but agreed the commission should consider diverse perspectives in future planning. Buente said the feedback was worth keeping in mind for the next planning cycle.

Strategic Plan Session and Community Violence Discussion

• Director Boyd reminded the board that the strategic plan session would begin at 12:30 p.m. in Room 318, with staff present, and encouraged commissioners to voice concerns about drafts before finalization.
• The board discussed the upcoming Evansville Town Hall Part 2 at Zion Church on October 29 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., following a first session at the Dream Center. Commissioners noted Chair McGlown attended the Dream Center session, and a commissioner was asked on short notice to moderate after the scheduled moderator could not attend; that moderator's opening remarks emphasized root-cause analysis of crime rather than a law-enforcement-only focus.
• Commissioner McGlown said the forums were missing the actual young people most affected by violence; the youth who attended were "handpicked" and well-spoken. She called for "boots on the ground" outreach and meeting youth "at their point of need," citing a funeral for a recent murder victim attended by nearly 700 youth, and a young man on the news who said, "We don't have anything to do. We have nowhere to go."
• A commissioner expressed broader community concerns: residents losing confidence in elected officials, questions about transparency and accountability, compromised trust between law enforcement and the community, reluctance to report crimes, and the need for mentorship, conflict resolution, mental health resources, family support, educational opportunities, and positive alternatives to violence. The commissioner also cited the school-to-prison pipeline and the absence of visible restorative justice, and referenced a recent death involving police where public video and a report appeared to conflict.
• Commissioners discussed a Divine Nine candidate forum at the Boys & Girls Club where candidates gave no concrete answers on the school-to-prison pipeline; a 2016 study on the issue was noted as never acted on. Commissioner McGlown suggested commissioners gather informally to discuss issues and organize outreach, while following protocol. Director Boyd said meeting details would be shared with all commissioners.

Old Business: Black History Month Banner Project

• Director Boyd said she will meet with Adam Trinkle next week to plan the 2027 Black History Month Banner Project and hopes to avoid last year's issues.
• Community suggestions include Haynie's Corner and the Lincoln Avenue Corridor. A commissioner who serves on the Haynie's Corner board said that board supports placing banners there.
• The project will use a two-year cohort; committee members from last year will serve again this year.
• The board also noted the commission's outreach person was missing from the staff listing in the minutes; Director Boyd said she did a good job reporting last month and will have an announcement next month.

Counsel Report

• Ted Ziemer IV was absent due to a doctor's appointment with his wife.
• In the district court case, opposing counsel filed for an extension; HRC's attorney, Kyle Biesecker, did not object. The response to the complaint is due the first week of November.

Director's Report

• The Director reported 13 complaints filed in September, 3 transferred to the EEOC, and approximately 77 cases open at the end of August. The transcript also states "there were two 10 new cases added," which is unclear.
• Few closures occurred in September because the end of the EEOC fiscal year and a federal funding glitch put cases in a holding pattern; the EEOC asked the commission not to close cases until resolved. Housing cases are still being closed. One settlement was negotiated.
• The commission did not meet its contractual obligation with the EEOC for the fiscal year; the new EEOC fiscal year began October 1, 2026.
• Outreach and education meetings were limited in September due to annual dinner planning; other staff maintained regular meeting cadences.

Open Discussion & Commissioners' Remarks

• Commissioners acknowledged the passing of Mistella Moss's brother, who died at age 100; his service is Saturday.
• The Mayor's Gala is scheduled for Saturday, December 12, at City View.
• The board discussed state rules for virtual participation: at least 50% of board members (six) must be physically present; otherwise the meeting must be canceled or postponed. Off-site members must be seen and heard to vote, and virtual attendance is limited to two consecutive meetings. One commissioner described the rule as "draconian" and said the board will proceed if six members are physically present, unless someone objects.
• Meeting dates were changed: the November meeting will be November 18 because of Thanksgiving, and the December meeting is set for December 16 (per the invitation). One commissioner cannot attend the November meeting.
• A motion to adjourn was made and seconded; the meeting adjourned, with commissioners planning to move directly to the strategic planning session.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes approved as corrected (all in favor, none opposed).
• The board will work on improving sponsor and ad solicitation follow-up and record-keeping.
• The strategic planning session will take place immediately after the regular meeting at 12:30 p.m. in Room 318.
• The Black History Month Banner Project will continue with a two-year committee cohort; 2027 planning is ongoing, with a meeting with Adam Trinkle scheduled for next week.
• November 18 and December 16 meeting dates were set.
• No other formal votes were taken during the meeting.