About the Paducah Human Rights Commission
The Paducah Human Rights Commission (PHRC) was formed May 26, 1964. This board helps ensure that Paducah residents and visitors maintain the right to live and work as equal partners in our community. Never should anyone discriminate - or be discriminated against - because of race, color, religion, age, familial status, handicap, sex, national origin, gender identity, or sexual orientation in connection with employment, places of public accommodation, and housing. Sadly, unfortunate incidents do occur, even in a progressive city such as ours. If you experience discrimination or humiliation because someone has violated your human rights, the City of Paducah wants to know about it, and the Paducah Human Rights Commission wants to help.
The Paducah Human Rights Commission is sworn to protect the interest of all the people’s personal dignity and freedom from humiliation. The Commission will make their full productive capabilities available to the community in securing the area against strife and unrest which would menace its democratic processes in preserving the public safety, health, and general welfare in furthering the interests, rights, and privileges of all individuals.
- Advocate for human and civil rights.
- Investigate and mediate discrimination complaints. When appropriate, we provide referrals to other government agencies.
- Resolve community disputes and issues involving individual or systemic illegal discrimination.
- Advise the City of Paducah on human rights issues.
- Collaborate with public and private sectors to promote education on how to prevent and eliminate discrimination citywide.
If your complaint falls under any of the following categories, we recommend that you seek assistance from an attorney. We have no jurisdiction over complaints related to style of dress; rude behavior; personal disputes; or political affiliation.
Contact
Paducah Human Rights Commission
300 South 5th Street, City Hall, Suite 106 (office is wheelchair accessible)
Paducah, KY 42003
Phone: 270-444-8643
Fax: 270-443-8680
Hours: Monday and Tuesday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Office closes between noon and 12:30 p.m. for lunch. On the first Tuesday of each month, the hours are 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. with a break for lunch.
File a Complaint
Learn the process to File a Complaint if you feel you have been a victim of discrimination.
Board Members
The Paducah Human Rights Commission is a seven-member board governed by Paducah Code of Ordinances 58-31. Appointments are for a term of three years. The Board meets on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 5 p.m. in the Commission Chambers of City Hall.
Jana Dawson
Christa Dubrock
Robert Hernandez (Chairman)
Irhonda Lovelace
Dann Patterson
Anthony Walton
Kimberly Yates
2024 Fair Housing Luncheon
The Paducah Human Rights Commission is inviting the community to attend the Fair Housing Luncheon on Thursday, April 18. The luncheon will be held at the newly renovated Robert Cherry Civic Center located at 2701 Park Avenue with the lunch to be served at 11:30 a.m. General Counsel Colt C. Sells with the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights will be the keynote speaker.
There is no charge to attend the Fair Housing Luncheon; however, registration is required in order to provide the caterer with an expected attendance. To register, please send an email with the names of attendees to fairhousingluncheonpaducahky.gov. The deadline to send a registration email is by the end of the business day on Friday, April 12.
Those who should attend the Fair Housing Luncheon include
- Real estate professionals;
- Government officials and policymakers;
- Housing advocates and activists;
- Community leaders;
- Housing counselors and social service providers; and
- Students and academics.
April is National Fair Housing Month which commemorates the passage of the Fair Housing Act on April 11, 1968. This landmark civil rights law, signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson, prohibits discrimination in housing because of race, color national origin, religion, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, and familial status.
Meetings
The Paducah Human Rights Commission (PHRC) meets on the third Thursday of the month at 4:45 p.m. in the Commission Chambers at City Hall located at 300 South 5th Street.
Recent meeting agendas are below:
PHRC Agenda - March 21, 2024
PHRC Agenda - February 15, 2024
PHRC Agenda - January 19, 2024
PHRC Agenda - December 21, 2023
PHRC Agenda - November 16, 2023
PHRC Agenda - August 31, 2023
Pictured: Paducah Human Rights Commission meeting held August 31, 2023. (Irhonda Lovelace was unable to attend the meeting.)
