About Us
The Metropolitan Human Relations Commission was created by ordinance in 1965. This was a time of heightened racial tension in Nashville and in America.
The first Commission was composed of fifteen (15) Commissioners and a staff of two (2). It was the first such official human rights agency in Tennessee.
The Fair Employment Law for Nashville/Davidson County was passed by the Metro Council and signed into law in July 1968 – the first such law in Tennessee.
In 1990, the Human Relations Commission was dissolved. In 1994, under the leadership of Mayor Bredesen, the Commission was reestablished through Chapter 2.132 of the Metro Code.
In 1998, the Commission established its objective to make Nashville noteworthy in the area of human relations.
In 2000, the Commission adopted the theme “One City All People” which is reflected in the logo.
Today, our Commission has seventeen (17) Commissioners, appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Council, “to represent the conscience of our Community” (Mayor Bill Purcell). The Commission employs a staff of five (5).
The mission of the Metro Human Relations Commission as set forth in Chapter 2.132 of the Metro Code is to protect and promote the personal dignity of all people by protecting and promoting their safety, health, security, peace and general welfare. The Human Relations Commission is charged through Chapter 11.20 of the Metro Code with the enforcement power and responsibility to receive complaints of discrimination.
We are the local compliance enforcement agency to receive and resolve complaints of discrimination and perceived discrimination. We endeavor to fulfill our charge and authority as granted in Metro Codes 2.132.010 and 11.20.010. Our responsibility to resolve complaints and carry out educational programs extends through areas of employment, housing, financial services and commercial transactions, public accommodations, and the provision of city activities and services.
Commission priorities are promoting Respect for Diversity and Encouraging Improved Race Relations, Building Two-Way Respect between the Community and the Police and Compliance Enforcement.
Our core services of community education and compliance enforcement can be seen through our activities of data collection, diversity training, community relations, day-to-day intake of complaints, community forums, merit assessments, community problem-solving, study circles, investigations, policy recommendations, training conferences, public hearings and Commission reports.