THRC Updates
Muriel Malone Nolen Named Executive Director of the Tennessee Human Rights Commission
The Tennessee Human Rights Board of Commissioners has named Muriel Malone Nolen to serve in the capacity of Executive Director of the Tennessee Human Rights Commission (THRC) effective July 18, 2022. Read the full press release HERE.
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April is National Fair Housing Month
Each April, the Tennessee Human Rights Commission, fair housing advocates, and fair housing organizations across the country commemorate Fair Housing Month by hosting activities that highlight fair housing enforcement efforts, enhance awareness of fair housing rights, and emphasize the importance of ending housing discrimination. This year, we celebrate the 54th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act. This landmark law was signed into law on April 11, 1968, by President Lyndon B. Johnson. The Fair Housing Act prohibits housing discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, and familial status.
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Muriel Malone Nolen Named Interim Executive Director of the Tennessee Human Rights Commission
The Tennessee Human Rights Commission (THRC) Board Chair Robin Derryberry, has named Muriel Malone Nolen to serve in the capacity of interim executive director effective February 15, 2022. The full press release can be viewed HERE.
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The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)
On December 10, 1948, the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The UDHR is a document that proclaims the inalienable rights that everyone is entitled to as a human being regardless of race, color, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. The document can be viewed HERE.
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THRC Release Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Annual Report
The Tennessee Human Rights Board of Commissioners accepted and approved the THRC annual report for fiscal year 2020-2021 for release to the public at the September 24, 2021 Board of Commissioners meeting. The full report is available HERE.
The report details statistical information, education, outreach, enforcment actions, and initiatives to safeguard individuals from discrimination through education and enforcement. The report was released to the public on September 30, 2021.
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Federal Relief Resources for Renters and Landlords- The White House’s advancement of The American Rescue Plan (ARP) for housing resources
Follow the link HERE for important updates regarding the White House’s advancement of The American Rescue Plan (ARP) for housing resources. Resources include updates from the Center's for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), U.S. Treasury, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).
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CDC Director Extends the Eviction Moratorium for 30 days
CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky has signed an extension to the eviction moratorium further preventing the eviction of tenants who are unable to make rental payments. The moratorium that was scheduled to expire on June 30, 2021 is now extended through July 31, 2021 and this is intended to be the final extension of the moratorium. Read the complete media statement HERE.
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Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA) COVID-19 Rent Relief for Tennesseans
For more information about COVID-19 rent relief in Tennessee, visit THDA.org.
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Watch Now! Fair Housing, Evictions and COVID-19 Webinars are Now Available
In case you missed it, you can now view fair housing, evictions, COVID-19 and other recorded webinars. These webinars provide vital information and resources to housing providers, landlords, tenants and others. To learn more about upcoming events and webinars, visit the THRC calendar of events HERE.
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Centers for Disease Control Order Banning Evictions
On September 4, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issued an order banning evictions for certain renters through December 31, 2020. The CDC is issuing the eviction moratorium to protect public health and prevent further spread of COVID-19. The order is separate and independent from the expired CARES Act eviction moratorium.
The Order applies to all tenants in the country who are subject to eviction for nonpayment of rent, including tenants assisted under programs administered by HUD’s Office of Native American Programs, such as the Indian Housing Block Grant program. This Order temporarily halts these evictions from September 4, 2020, through December 31, 2020.
TN EVICTION RESOURCES: This list was created by the Access to Justice Commission and the Administrative Office of the Courts in response to the 2020 Evictions Summit held on October 1, 2020.
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WATCH NOW: "Fair Housing Matters" The Challenges of Housing Access in A Racially Divided Nation During COVID-19
On August 13, 2020, the International Association of Official Human Rights Agencies (IAOHRA) and the Pinellas County Office of Human Rights hosted a fair housing webinar. Hear from HUD FHEO Assistant Secretary Anna Maria Farias, as well as national fair housing experts. Discussions will include: Unique Fair Housing Issues Presented by COVID-19; Best Agency Practices in the Age of Pandemic; and Fair Housing and COVID-19 as seen through Race and Gender Equity Lenses. Watch using the following link > https://bit.ly/3ct0jyg
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EEOC Resumes Issuance of Charge Closure Documents
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced on August 3, 2020 that it will begin issuing charge closure documents that were suspended because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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New York Times Opinion Article, By Rep. John Lewis: Together, You Can Redeem the Soul of Our Nation
Just before his death on July 17, 2020, Civil Rights leader, Rep. John Lewis wrote a touching opinion article for the New York Times, which he asked to be published on the day of his funeral. He was laid to rest on July 30, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia.
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Governor Bill Lee Signs Juneteenth Proclamation
Governor Bill Lee signed a Juneteenth proclamation on June 19, 2020, Lee said "On this 155th Anniversary of Juneteenth, we recognize the end of slavery in the United States on June 19, 1865. I signed a Juneteenth proclamation to honor this day as it represents the promise of a free and just society that is guaranteed for every Tennessean."
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Mark Hayes Appointed to Serve on the THRC Board of Commissioners
Governor Bill Lee appointed Mark Hayes of Dyersburg, TN to serve on the Tennessee Human Rights Board of Commissioners in January 2020. Commissioner Hayes will represent West Tennessee through the end of his term on June 30, 2025. This seat was formerly held by Rev. Ralph White of Memphis who suddenly passed away in May 2019. Read more about Commissioner Hayes here.
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U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission: What You Should Know About the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and COVID-19
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has provided guidance, a publication entitled Pandemic Preparedness in the Workplace and the Americans With Disabilities Act), consistent with these workplace protections and rules, that can help employers implement strategies to navigate the impact of COVID-19 in the workplace. This pandemic publication, which was written during the prior H1N1 outbreak, is still relevant today and identifies established ADA and Rehabilitation Act principles to answer questions frequently asked about the workplace during a pandemic.
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U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Provides Important Coronavirus Information
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has a website dedicated to important coronavirus information which includes tool kits, messages and fact sheets for tenants, housing providers, grantees and localities to use to help keep families safe and healthy.
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EVENTS
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News
- Muriel Malone Nolen Named Executive Director of the Tennessee Human Rights Commission
- Muriel Malone Nolen Named Interim Executive Director of the Tennessee Human Rights Commission
- Chattanooga Human Rights Day Virtual Celebration
- Nashville Human Rights Day Virtual Celebration 2021
- Tennessee Human Rights Commission 2021 Annual Report Released
- Joseph W. Albright Appointed to Serve on the Tennessee Human Rights Board of Commissioners