PSA Contest Winners

 Click here to view the winning entries.

The Florida Commission on Human Relations is pleased to announce the winners of the “Discrimination Through the Eyes of Our Youth” video public service announcement (PSA) contest. The contest invited high school students around the state to create 25 second PSAs on the topic of discrimination.

“We are very pleased with the contest entries we received and would like to thank all of the teachers and students who participated and worked so hard to make this contest a success,” said Dr. Donna Elam, Chairperson of the Commission. “It is so important to give young people a voice and empower them to speak out on the realities of discrimination. This contest gave our future leaders an outlet to help in eliminating this type of behavior while educating the public on these pressing issues.”

Congratulations to our contest winners!

Commission District One (northeast Florida)

• First Place – “Unity in the Community” by John Davis, Justin Cormier, and Micah Keiser of Godby High School (Tallahassee)
• Second Place – “Elimination of Discrimination” by Sunny Patel and Younis Naser of Godby High School (Tallahassee)
• Third Place – “Don’t Discriminate” by Chi-Valry Wu of Godby High School (Tallahassee)

Commission District Two (northwest Florida)

• First Place – “Equal Rights” by Kasie Cheney, Crissi DeJiulio, Luiz Cruz, and Johnathan Tant of Belleview High School (Belleview)
• Second Place – “Duct Tape” by Chelsea Christy, Stephanie Polanco, Michael Rivera, and Justin Peacock of Dunnellon High School (Dunnellon)
• Third Place – “Don’t Discriminate” by Mercedes Abels and Debbie Crews of Cedar Creek Christian School (Jacksonville)

Commission District Three (central Florida)

• First Place – “We’re Not That Different” by Joseph White, Brianna Waggett, Cassi Finch, Chelsea Flanagan, and Ryan Fried of Dunedin High School (Dunedin)
• Second Place – “See the Similarities. Embrace the Differences.” by Élisse Jean-Pierre, Ashira Pelt, Sandra Massillon and Fernanda Pierre of Hillsborough High School (Tampa)
• Third Place – “My Great Movie” by Katie Mccoy, Nikki Brzozowski, Elizabeth Tolentio, and Siara Jones of Lake Brantley High School (Altamonte Springs)

Commission District Four (south Florida)

• First Place – “Equality” by Liliana Garcia, Nicole Mcinnis, Chrystal Llanusa, Nicole Glick, and Shanique Castro of Archbishop McCarthy High School (South West Ranches)
• Second Place – “Love in Black and White” by Vivian Chacon, Ingrid Torres, Estephany Avila, Karina Rico-Arango, Jean Hipolite, and Wanda Santillen of Miami Senior High School (Miami)
• Third Place – “Bullying” by Faby Moreau, Jessica Munoz, Liany Pacheao, Collette Conway, Rita Rubio, and Chris Short of Archbishop McCarthy High School (South West Ranches)

The Commission would also like to thank all of the contest media partners: Central Florida News 13 – Orlando, Miami Monthly Magazine – Miami, Ponte Vedra Recorder – Ponte Vedra, St. Petersburg Times Newspaper in Education – St. Petersburg, Tallahassee Democrat and Tallahassee.com – Tallahassee, WFTX – Ft. Myers, WTSP – Tampa, and WTWC – Tallahassee.

The Florida Commission on Human Relations, established in 1969, is the state agency charged with enforcing the Florida Civil Rights Act and Fair Housing Act. Fair treatment, equal access and mutual respect are the benchmarks of the Commission’s commitment. Through education, outreach and partnerships, the Commission works to prevent discrimination through teaching best practices and fostering mutual understanding in communities statewide.

Spring E-update Now Available

The Spring 2009 Commission E-update is now available. Click here to view! (will open a .pdf file)

The Florida Commission on Human Relations releases quarterly e-updates that cover Commission announcements, events, and news of importance to managers and HR professionals. If you are interested in receiving these email updates, please contact Public Information Director Leah Barber-Heinz at leah.barber-heinz@fchr.myflorida.com.

Florida House and Senate Adopt Resolution Recognizing Fair Housing Month

On April 24, 2009, the Florida Senate adopted SR 944 (Senator Rudy Garcia-sponsor) and recently, the Florida House of Representatives adopted HR 9079 (Representative Luis Garcia-sponsor), which recognized April as Fair Housing Month and acknowledged that housing discrimination continues to plague Florida’s communities. The resolutions issue a call for action and encourage community leaders, public officials and citizens to come together to work to ensure fair housing for all.

“Unfortunately, there are many families in Florida being victimized by housing discrimination,” said Derick Daniel, Executive Director. “We are so pleased that the House and Senate have adopted these resolutions to shine a light on this important issue. Housing discrimination not only affects families, but it also affects communities and our state as a whole. During these tough times, any unnecessary and unjust hurdles to home buying or renting must be eliminated.”

The Florida Commission on Human Relations, established in 1969, is the state agency charged with enforcing the Florida Civil Rights Act and Fair Housing Act. The purpose of these laws is to protect the people of Florida from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status or familial status. Fair treatment, equal access and mutual respect are the benchmarks of the Commission’s commitment. Through education, outreach and partnerships, the Commission works to prevent discrimination and foster mutual understanding in communities statewide.

For more information visit http://fchr.state.fl.us.

Commissioner Appointments and Reappointments

Governor Crist has appointed Loyda “Lizzette” Gamero of West Palm Beach to the Florida Commission on Human Relations. Upon Senate confirmation, she will serve until September 30, 2010.

Governor Crist has reappointed the following individuals to the Commission. Upon Senate confirmation, they will serve until September 30, 2012.

• Gayle Cannon – Lake City
• Donna Elam – Orlando
• Billy Whitefox Stall – Panama City

To learn more about our new and returning Commissioners, please click here.

Cannon continues as rights champion

Tony Britt

Lake City Reporter

April 21, 2009

Lake City resident Gayle Cannon was reappointed as a Florida Commission on Human Relations commissioner by Gov. Charlie Crist. The Florida Commission on Human Relations was established in 1969 and is the state agency charged with enforcing the Florida Civil Rights Act and Fair Housing Act.

Upon Senate approval, Cannon will serve a four-year term, expiring Sept. 30, 2012. She has served eight years – two terms – as a commissioner.

“I am very pleased to be reappointed,” Cannon said. “I had asked for that. This actually begins my third term.

“Normally I would not have requested to be reappointed, but because this year with all the budget problems and shortfalls in the economy, there are very specific things our commission needs as far as funding and how we operate. I felt like I could contribute.”

She said working on the committee requires a lot of work and outreach, but they are a small agency and they only operate within a small area of the law.

“It takes a lot of work and effort on our part to make sure the legislature knows what we’re doing and how we’re doing it, so they can help us out to do the work we’re doing,” Cannon said. “The work we’re doing is within employment law and fair housing.”

She said this is the Commission’s 40th anniversary and they’re celebrating the work of Florida’s participation in civil rights laws.

The Commission consists of 12 commissioners of various racial, religious, ethnic, social, economic, political and professional groups within the state, all appointed to four-year terms by the governor subject to Senate approval.

“We are honored to have the opportunity to continue our work with Commissioner Cannon,” said Derick Daniel, executive director of the commission. “Her proven dedication and commitment to human relations and civil rights will continue to provide us with a valuable perspective to integrate into our agency. I look forward to working with her to improve the quality of life for the people of Florida.”

Cannon moved to Columbia County from Melbourne 10 years ago.

 This article was published in the Lake City Reporter and can be viewed here.

Fair Housing Month

When people think of housing discrimination, their minds may drift to scenarios such as a black man who is told that a unit is no longer available once the property manager views the color of his skin or a disabled woman who is told that her guide dog violates the complex’s “no pets” policy.

However, there is another group that faces discrimination as well, but is often forgotten: parents, grandparents and (or) guardians. Under the Fair Housing Act, a person cannot be denied housing based on their familial status. This means, it is illegal for property owners to discourage or flat out refuse housing to someone who is pregnant or has children under the age of 18.

April is Fair Housing Month, and 2009 marks the 40th anniversary of the Florida Commission on Human Relations. We encourage everyone to spend this month of reflection and celebration to learn their housing rights under state and federal civil rights laws. When individuals arm themselves with information, they are able to recognize unfair housing practices and they are equipped with the knowledge needed to end them. Join us in working toward a better Florida for all who live and work here!

 

 - Commissioner Watson Haynes

St.Petersburg

To learn more about Fair Housing and Commision events during this month of celebration, visit http://fchr.state.fl.us/about_us/40th_anniversary/fair_housing_month

Florida House and Senate Adopt Resolution Recognizing Commission’s Anniversary

On March 5, the Florida Senate adopted SR 420 and the Florida House adopted HR 9017, which recognized the fortieth anniversary of the creation of the Florida Commission on Human Relations and commended the Commission on its many significant accomplishments. The resolution was sponsored by Senator Arthenia Joyner and Representative Geraldine Thompson.

“The Commission has spent the last forty years improving the lives of those who live and work in Florida. We are thrilled to be recognized for the hard work of the Commission over the past four decades,” said Derick Daniel, Executive Director. “We hope that the Commission’s anniversary will encourage people to learn about Florida’s civil rights laws, to get involved with their communities, and to create change for future generations.”

The Florida Commission on Human Relations, established in 1969, is the state agency charged with enforcing the Florida Civil Rights Act and Fair Housing Act. The purpose of these laws is to protect the people of Florida from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status or familial status. Fair treatment, equal access and mutual respect are the benchmarks of the Commission’s commitment. Through education, outreach and partnerships, the Commission works to prevent discrimination and foster mutual understanding in communities statewide.

For more information visit http://fchr.state.fl.us

“Discrimination Through the Eyes of Our Youth” PSA Contest

2009 marks the 40th anniversary of the creation of the Florida Commission on Human Relations, Florida’s civil rights agency. As part of the celebration, we are inviting high school students (grades 9-12) to submit a 25 second video public service announcement (PSA) regarding human and civil rights and what it means to them. Topics that can be covered include color, race, age, sex, disability, national origin, religion, familial/marital status, housing and employment. Complete contest information, including rules and a contest overview, is available at http://fchr.state.fl.us/outreach/40th_anniversary_psa_contest

FINAL PSAs ARE DUE MAY 1, 2009.

For more information, please contact Nakia Beasley (nakia.beasley@fchr.myflorida.com) or Leah Barber-Heinz (leah.barber@fchr.myflorida.com).