Human Rights Commission Event Funding

Human Rights Commission Event Funding is sponsored by City of Eugene. Allocates funds to support community events aligned with the Human Rights Commission's activities and purposes.

Human Rights Commission | Eugene, OR Website Equity & Community Engagement The mission of the Human Rights Commission (HRC) is to promote the implementation of universal human rights values and principles in all City of Eugene programs and throughout the community.

To carry out this mission the HRC shall affirm, encourage and initiate programs and services within the City of Eugene and in the community designed to place priority upon protecting, respecting, and fulfilling the full range of universal human rights as enumerated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Opens a New Window. and the City of Eugene Human Rights Code .

The HRC focuses on its City Council-approved work plan, community matters, and working within City government and acts according to its bylaws . Opens a New Window. The current work plan includes three goals: Take a leadership role in fostering respect for social equity, civil rights, and human rights in the community by engaging in education, outreach, listening and collaboration.

Maintain strategic HRC liaisons and engage in cooperative endeavors with the community and with City of Eugene advisory groups that support civil and human rights and social equity. Study and recommend actions on civil and human rights and social equity issues in areas of concern to the community and City organization.

HRC members create work groups, designate liaisons, craft resolutions and statements, follow response protocols, and facilitate collaboration and partnerships to achieve specific, targeted outcomes. View or download the current HRC work plan (in PDF format) Human Rights Commissioners are appointed by City Council for a three-year term and are limited to serving no more than two terms consecutively.

Commissioners may serve more than two terms if terms are not consecutive. Dr. Silky J. Booker (H.

C.) is a retired combat veteran, having served fifteen years of meritorious military service in the United States Air Force. He earned an Associate of Arts in Business Management and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies.

The United Graduate College and Seminary International (UGCSI) later bestowed upon Dr. Booker an Honorary Doctorate of Arts and Worship in recognition of his development of a philosophy centered on 400 years of existence, resistance, persistence, and coexistence, as well as his continued commitment to educating, mentoring, and empowering communities.

Dr. Booker lived in England for nearly eight years before relocating to Eugene, Oregon in 2017. His diverse background and global experiences have shaped his commitment to community development, leadership, and advocacy. In May 2020, during the COVID-19 global pandemic, Dr. Booker founded the Oregon-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit King Silky’s Blessing Boxes , an organization dedicated to addressing food insecurity.

The nonprofit provides non-perishable food and essential supplies to families in need throughout Lane County and continues to expand its outreach to serve communities across Oregon. Dr. Booker has expanded his humanitarian and philanthropic work through leadership and service on multiple boards and organizations. Since 2014, he has partnered with and served on the Board of Directors alongside Dr. Melida A.

Harris-Barrow, Peace Ambassador for Panama and Founder of the 6th Region Global Chamber of Commerce , an organization focused on economic development and trade opportunities throughout the Caribbean, the Americas, and Africa with an emphasis on the African Diaspora and indigenous communities worldwide.

In May 2021, Dr. Booker founded and was elected Chairman of the Oregon Black Chamber of Commerce , an organization established to support Black and minority-owned businesses through financial education, economic resources, and business development opportunities across the state. Dr. Booker has also served in several public leadership roles.

He was Governor-appointed and Senate-confirmed as a State Commissioner and Vice Chair of the Oregon Commission on Black Affairs (2021–2023) , representing and advocating for the interests of Black communities throughout Oregon. He was appointed to serve as a Commissioner on the Eugene Police Commission (2022–2024) and was most recently selected to serve as Chair of the Eugene Human Rights Commission (2025 – Current).

Through his leadership, advocacy, and community initiatives, Dr. Booker continues to advance economic empowerment, civil and human rights, and community development locally, nationally, and internationally. Kianna Cabuco - Vice Chair Whole Eugene Community United (Term Expires: 6/30/26) Kianna Cabuco has lived in Eugene for over a decade after moving here from Southern California.

She works as deputy executive director and diversity, equity, and inclusion coordinator for the Lane County Medical Society, helping physicians connect and sharing important community resources. In addition, Kianna has collaborated with the Leadership Eugene-Springfield program on their DEI Skillset, where she worked with groups to find solutions to common workplace and community concerns.

She is constantly advocating for more diverse events, speakers, and businesses that could help increase the retention of individuals from different cultural backgrounds. Cynthia Cannon Poindexter Homelessness and Poverty Work Group (Term Expires: 6/30/26) Cynthia Cannon Poindexter, MSW, Ph. D.

, retired in mid-2020 after having been a community-based human services practitioner since 1975 and in the HIV field since early 1987. She has taught graduate social work classes at University of Illinois, Boston University, Smith College, Fordham University, and Pacific University. Main areas of teaching and research have been human rights and social justice, HIV policy and practice, and social services management and supervision.

She has been an organizational consultant with 7 local and state HIV service programs in Boston and Chicago and a trainer for the National Social Work HIV Spectrum Project, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health HIV Division, the HIV/AIDS Service Administration of New York City, and three AIDS Education Training Networks.

She has received 11 HIV-related research grants and was a Fulbright Senior Specialist at the University of Auckland, New Zealand. She has over 50 HIV-related published peer-reviewed articles, chapters, essays, or reviews. She currently lives in Eugene, Oregon, where she volunteers with the HIV Alliance.

Martha Baldwin, MPA, has lived in Eugene for 3 years after moving here from Appleton, Wisconsin. She works as the Finance Director for Sponsors, Inc. In addition, she serves as the Treasurer for Junior League of Eugene and the Assistant Treasurer for Holt Elementary PTO. She has worked in public accounting, real estate, theater, private and public schools, homeless shelters and services, and local city government.

Martha is passionate about serving her new community through this Commission and by serving as a volunteer at Egan Warming Center. John is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than 15 years of experience in mental health, social service, and healthcare leadership. He is a graduate of the University of Tennessee with a Master of Science in Social Work and is a doctoral candidate in Healthcare Science at Pacific University.

A U.S. Army Reserve Veteran and Eagle Scout, John brings a lifelong commitment to service, equity, and advocacy. John serves as the Human Rights Commission Liaison to the Eugene Police Commission. To be filled by a member from one of the HRC work groups Brittany Banna is a Palestinian-American educator, mother, and community leader who has called Eugene home for over 20 years.

She brings a multicultural lens to her work, shaped by her early childhood in Amman, Jordan and her deep commitment to equity, belonging, and justice. Brittany serves as the Associate Director and Director of Student Life at Mansfield Hall, where she leads programs that support neurodiverse college students in building confidence, independence, and meaningful connection.

She holds dual master’s degrees in Conflict and Dispute Resolution and Community and Regional Planning from the University of Oregon, and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership. As a certified mediator and restorative justice practitioner, Brittany has worked across nonprofits, higher education, and human services to create systems rooted in care, dignity, and inclusion.

She is also the founder of Shine Together, a community initiative focused on resilience, social-emotional wellness, and youth empowerment. Elaina Oommen is currently a Political Science student at the University of Oregon.

Originally from Gresham, Oregon, she has served as Co-Chair of the Gresham Youth Advisory Council, representing youth on issues such as education access and equity, and has also served on the Gresham-Barlow School District's boards for equity and student healthcare access. She is committed to advocating for the wellbeing of everyone in Eugene, regardless of background.

Jamie Bowman(she/her) moved to Eugene from Prineville in the summer of 2024, with her wife, 3 teenagers & menagerie of fur and feathers. She is passionate about LGBTQ+ youth and making sure they feel safe, valued, heard and seen in their communities.

She practiced this by providing things like inclusion training to healthcare providers, teachers, etc. running several LGBTQ+ non-profits and events, and creating Coming Out Kits for queer youth to find resources in their area. Jamie knows that the best way to get to know her new home town is to get involved in it, so she’s delighted and excited to serve on the HRC.

(City Council Representative): Lyndsie Leech City Council, Ward 7 (Appointed to HRC November 2023) See Councilor's Leech page and contact information Office of Equity & Community Engagement Join the Human Rights Commission Each year the City of Eugene Human Rights Commission recognizes an individual for their contribution in the area of human rights and social justice.

Request HRC Grant or Support Human Rights Commission Request for Support This form has been modified since it was saved. Please review all fields before submitting. * indicates a required field Human Rights Commission Request for Funding The City of Eugene allocates funds each fiscal year to the Human Rights Commission (HRC) to use to support community events.

Applications must be submitted complete with a full explanation of the funding request. All requests must be submitted 10 days prior to the HRC meeting (3rd Tuesdays, except in July, August, and December) in advance of the event or project start date. Having a representative at the HRC meeting to answer questions about the request is strongly encouraged.

Date of Event Date of Event Date Funding Required Date Funding Required Please describe the event/activity for which you are requesting support and/or funding * Level of Support Requested * -- Select One -- Endorsement: no funding but endorsement for use on advertising and outreach Support: up to $200 for event where HRC is not directly involved Co-sponsorship: up to $500 for event with HRC attendance or tabling Co-sponsorship: from $500 to $1,000 for event with active HRC involvement More than $1,000: special circumstances with active HRC involvement Please indicate which level of support that is being requested: How much is the request for?

* Enter 0 if this is just a request for support Name of Support and/or Funding Recipient Organization (if applicable) Address (for mailing check) * How does this request align with the work of the Human Rights Commission? What will these funds be used for specifically (if applicable). * Who are the other community partners and what is their level of involvement?

Open for language interpretation if needed? Accessible for hearing impaired? Strictly a fundraising event?

Open to the general public? I acknowledge that by receiving funding to support this event that I am responsible for providing a brief report back to the HRC within 30-days of the event. Failure to provide this report either in writing or in person at a HRC meeting may result in denial for future funding.

* Electronic Signature By providing the information below and electronic signature, I certify that I have read and understood the submittal requirements outlined, and that I understand that omission of any listed item may cause delay in processing the application. I (We), the undersigned, acknowledge that the information supplied in this application is complete and accurate to the best of my (our) knowledge.

Applicant's Representative Full Name of Applicant representative Email of applicant's representative By checking this box, I am providing an electronic signature. Receive an email copy of this form. This field is not part of the form submission.

The Human Rights Commission (HRC) meets the third Tuesday of each month (except July, August, and December) from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. All meetings are open to the public and are currently hosted via Zoom. The Commission provides a public comment period, where members of the public may bring issues or concerns forward for broader attention or possible organized response.

Each person will have up to 3 minutes to provide public comments at the end of each meeting unless otherwise arranged.

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