About the HRC

Human Relations Commission logoOne of the policies of Orange County is to promote the equal treatment of all individuals; to prohibit discrimination in Orange County based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, familial status, and veteran status; to protect residents’ lawful interests and their personal dignity so as to make available to the County their full productive and creative capacities, and to prevent public and domestic strife, crime, and unrest within Orange County.

To this end, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) created the Orange County Human Relations Commission (HRC) to:

  • Study and make recommendations concerning problems in the field of human relationships
  • Anticipate and discover practices and customs most likely to create animosity and unrest and to seek solutions to problems as they arise
  • Make recommendations designed to promote goodwill and harmony among groups in the County irrespective of their race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, affectional preference, disability, age, marital status or status with regard to public assistance
  • Monitor complaints involving discrimination
  • Address and attempt to remedy the violence, tensions, polarization, and other harm created through the practices of discrimination, bias, hatred, and civil inequality
  • Promote harmonious relations within the county through hearings and due process of law.

The HRC drafted the Social Justice Goal (PDF) to provide a framework for the BOCC and other County government employees, as well as local residents and other stakeholders, to ensure that social justice is paramount in decision-and policy-making.

For more information, contact the HRC staff.

Related Documents

Policies & Procedures

  1. Board of County Commissioners Advisory Board Policy (PDF)
  2. General Requirements for Advisory Board Service (PDF)
  3. Human Relations Commission (HRC) Policies & Procedures

Human Relations Commission Members

1.  Deborah Baker (At-large)
  • First appointed 3/21/23 
  • Term expires 6/30/24

2. Michael Fath (At-large)
  • First appointed 02/17/22 
  • Term expires 9/30/24

3.  Jenn Sykes (At-large)
  • First appointed 9/20/22
  • Term expires 6/30/23

4. Anjail Taylor (At-large)

  • First appointed 9/20/22
  • Term expires 09/30/25

5. Ana Garcia-Turner, Secretary (At-large)
  • First appointed 10/3/17
  • Term expires 6/30/23

6.  Dr. Nathalie Volkheimer (At Large)

  • First appointed 9/20/22 
  • Term expires 09/30/25

7. VACANT 
  • First appointed 
  • Term expires 6/30/25

8.  Jameelah Merritt   (At-large)
  • First appointed 3/21/23
  • Term expires 6/30/25

9. Allison Mahaley (Hillsborough)
  • First appointed 2/6/18
  • Term expires 6/30/23

10. Lynn McGee  (At-large)
  • First appointed 3/21/23
  • Term expires 9/30/24

11. Ruby Garcia (Chapel Hill)
  • First appointed 9/20/22 
  • Term expires 6/30/25

12. Josh Ravitch 

  • First appointed 3/21/23
  • Term expires 06/30/23

To apply for the Orange County Human Relations Commission, follow the link here.