PLENARIES

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International Human Rights Framework

A Glass Half Full: Can Local Human Rights Commissions Save International Law in the United States? 

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Human Rights Incorporation Through Impact Assessments at Federal, State, and Local Levels

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An overview of how Los Angeles County Government priorities and operations reflect and implement internationally recognized human rights. 

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Presenters:

• Desirée Cormier Smith, Co-Founder and Co-President, The Alliance for Diplomacy

• Robin Toma, Executive Director, Los Angeles County Human Relations Commission​

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​​Fair Housing Forward

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Presenter: ​​​

• Colette Massengale, Esq., Senior Policy Representative, Fair Housing Policy, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

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​“The Battle for Fair Maps: Law, Power, and the People”​​

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Presenter:

• Michael Li, Senior Counsel, Brennan Center Democracy Program

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LEADERSHIP & AGENCY MANAGEMENT

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From Policy to Practice: Embedding Human Rights Principles into Organizational Culture

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How do civil and human rights principles move from policy to practice? This session explores how leaders embed rights-based principles into organizational culture, accountability systems, and workforce practices. Participants will gain practical strategies for translating legal and policy commitments into measurable outcomes that strengthen equity, public trust, and organizational

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Presenter:

• Tawana Bhagwat, Founder and CEO of Organization At Its Best, Inc.

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​Language Access Testing: A New Tool for Evaluating Government Agencies and Improving Services for LEP Residents

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Transformation: Then and Now

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The Digital Housing Market and Disparate Market

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AI Toolbox and FH Toolbox

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This workshop will demonstrate how the Equal Rights Center’s language access testing program (sometimes called "secret shopping" or "field auditing") allows the DC Office of Human Rights to effectively enforce the DC Language Access Act, ensuring that residents with Limited English proficiency can access crucial services. Through this program, the ERC and DCOHR have helped move away from a human rights compliance structure that depends on residents to file complaints once services have failed, to systematic, cost-effective data gathering, proactively helping agencies comply with civil rights laws. 

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Presenter:

• Elias Cohn, Strategic Initiatives Specialist, Equal Rights Center

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​Leading with Purpose: Strengthening, Safeguarding and Antidiscrimination Through Strategic Agency Management

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Strategic Agency Management​

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New Report Highlights LA County’s Work To Advance Human Rights – COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES

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This session will explore the process in developing a comprehensive safety plan to combat hate, racism, and discrimination for the FIFA World Cup and discuss lessons learned to show how HRCs can play active roles in addressing discrimination, hate, and extremism during mega-events in their own jurisdiction. We will also look at this as a case study of how the human rights role and purpose of your agency could be strategically expanded.

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Presenters:

• Randy Duque, Deputy Director, Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations

• Robin Toma, Executive Director, Los Angeles County Human Relations Commission

• Deysy Donis-Santos, Program Manager, Los Angeles County Human Relations Commission

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CIVIL RIGHTS ENFORCEMENT

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Civil Rights in a Digital Society: State Innovations to Address AI Bias

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This session will offer a clear and practical overview of the evolving landscape of algorithmic discrimination and responsible AI within government agencies. We will examine how civil rights offices can proactively interpret, enforce, and modernize protections to ensure new technologies do not reproduce or exacerbate existing inequities. Additionally, we will explore actionable strategies for identifying, assessing, and responding to algorithmic discrimination at the state and local level, including approaches to enforcement, public sector procurement, community engagement, regulatory design, and cross sector collaboration.

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Presenters:

• Yolanda N. Melville, Director NJ Division on Civil Rights Presenter

• Oneshia Herring, Sr. Vice President & Counsel National Fair Housing Alliance​​

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Fair Housing in a Climate of Fear: National Origin Discrimination and the Rights of Immigrant Communities

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This workshop addresses national origin discrimination in the current climate of heightened attacks on immigrant communities. The session will cover fair housing protections for immigrant communities under the Fair Housing Act, relevant fact patterns, practical investigation techniques, and best practices for navigating these cases while protecting impacted communities.

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Presenters:

• Azadeh Hosseinian, Associate Chief Counsel, California Civil Rights Department

• Nassim Moallem, Attorney, California Civil Rights Department

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Disaster Civil Rights Investigation & Resolution Model

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DCIRM Foundations Workshop introduces participants to the Disaster Civil Rights Investigation & Resolution Model (DCIRM), a structured framework for equitable, trauma-informed, and legally defensible civil rights investigations within disaster recovery systems.

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Presenter:

• Stella Adams, SJ Adams Consulting

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POLICY & LEGISLATION

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​So, You Want to Add New Protected Classes?

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In 2025, The City of Minneapolis added four new protected classes to our Civil Rights Ordinance. In this session, attendees will learn about the meaningful process staff engage in to turn ideas into actionable protections. Presenters will share details about the new protected classes, engagement strategies, and lessons learned.

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Presenters:

• Manire T. Vaughn, Esq., Complaint Investigations Director, Minneapolis Department of Civil Rights

• Kaela McConnon Diarra, Esq., Interim Director, Minneapolis Department of Civil Rights

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Safeguarding the Mission: How Human Rights Commissions Navigate Legislative Challenges

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This panel brings together representatives from Human Rights Commissions across the country to discuss their experiences navigating legislative challenges that threaten the scope and effectiveness of their work. Panelists will share strategies for responding to ​restrictive policy proposals, drawing on recent success stories—including Kentucky’s successful pushback during the most recent legislative session.

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Presenter:

• Ray Sexton, Executive Director, Lexington-Fayette Urban County Human Rights Commission

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Taking Legislation and Policy Ideas to the Finish Line

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Having a policy or legislative idea can be easy. Taking that idea into implementation can be a challenge. This presentation will discuss legislative and policy mechanics and real-world scenarios of creation and implementation through an equity lens. Participants will explore ways to utilize these tips in their own jurisdictions.

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Presenter:

• Jamie Reyes, Director, Lincoln Commission on Human Rights

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SOCIAL JUSTICE & COMMUNITY IMPACT

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The Soul of Resilience: Cultivating Trust and Measurable Community Impact

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This session explores how understanding structural inequities allows us to build deep community trust and drive measurable empowerment. Participants will learn to engage diverse populations respectfully, foster collaborative problem-solving, and design initiatives rooted in lived experience that challenge systemic barriers and deliver tangible social justice.

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Presenter:

• Jolan H. Jolivette, Political Strategy, Organizing and Creative Consultant Power Coalition for Equity & Justice

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​From Statute to Street: Advancing Civil Rights for Survivors of Violence Through Outreach and Education

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Using California's outreach and education efforts related to workplace civil rights protections for survivors of violence as a case study, this interactive workshop explores how civil rights agencies can increase awareness of rights and responsibilities of civil rights protections through plain language publications, language access, community partnerships, and strategic outreach.​​​

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Presenter:

• Ana Mendoza, Senior Counsel, California Civil Rights Department, Outreach and Education Unit

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Beyond the Surface: A Simulation for Equity and Structural Change

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Participants will learn about historical and current barriers that perpetuate inequities, then engage in a simulation as investigators, complainants, and respondents with different lived experiences and gain understanding of structural barriers. Participants will leave with increased empathy and renewed ideas to improve their structures for equitable and just community impact.

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Presenters:

• Karina Sanchez, Senior Investigator, City of Des Moines

• Manisha Paudel, Director and Chief Equity Officer, City of Des Moines

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