HRC Events

Pauli Murray Awards

Established in 1990, the Pauli Murray Award commemorates the life of the late Reverend Dr. Pauli Murray (1910-1985), a distinguished and remarkable person who confronted discrimination, racism, and sexism in her own life.  

The Pauli Murray Award is presented annually by the Orange County Human Relations Commission to an Orange County youth, an Orange County adult, and an Orange County business that have served the community with distinction in the pursuit of equality, justice, and human rights for all residents.  

29th Annual Pauli Murray Awards

The 29th Annual Pauli Murray Awards was held on Sunday, February 24, 2019 from 3:00-5:00 pm at 300 W. Tryon St. in Hillsborough. 

Award Nominations

Nominations for the 29th Annual Pauli Murray Awards were due by January 21, 2019. This year's winners are:

• Lorie Clark-Adult Awardee
• Joe Van Gogh-Business Awardee

Student Essay Contest

Essay submissions for the 2019 Student Essay Contest were due by January 21, 2019. This year's winners are:

• Middle School
  • Jordan Huang-Guy B. Phillips Middle School
  • Annie Papazaglou-McDougle Middle School
• High School
  • Hannalee Isaacs-Chapel Hill High School  

This year's prompt: What do you feel was Pauli Murray’s biggest contribution to the lives of women and/or people of color? In addition, please describe in your essay a meaningful personal experience that reflects the acceptance of, or advocacy for, diversity and inclusion.

Find more information here.

"Hate, Heritage, and Hope: Orange County Voice on 'Silent Sam'"

The Orange County Human Relations Commission hosted a Community Conversation titled, “Hate, Heritage, and Hope: Orange County Voices on ‘Silent Sam’" on Monday, October 1, 2018 from 6:00-8:00 pm at the Southern Human Services Center, 2501 Homestead Rd. in Chapel Hill. Attendees worked with other residents of varying views to seek mutual understanding and to make recommendations on the issue. The was open to all residents.

For more information, contact the Human Relations Commission staff at 919-245-2487 or Human_Relations@orangecountync.gov.” Find the event flyer here.  

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Community Conversation on the Proposed UDO Text Amendments Regulating Flagpoles and Flags in Orange County

The Human Relations Commission hosted a Community Conversation on the Proposed UDO Text Amendment which, if approved by the Board of County Commissioners, would include specific size regulations on all flags and flagpoles in the County regardless of content. Please find the video footage from the event below.

NOTE: We apologize for any missed content, as there were technical issues with the camera during filming.

• Video Part 1
• Video Part 2
• Video Part 3

2019 Community Read

The Orange County Human Relations Commission encourages residents to read the very powerful book Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City. Matthew Desmond’s Pulitzer Prize winner and New York Times bestseller is a page-turner on extreme poverty and economic exploitation in America. Books are available at local bookstores and the county libraries.

Where to get it:

• Orange County Public Library
• Chapel Hill Public Library
• Flyleaf Books
• Amazon
• Barnes & Noble

Community Read Discussion Event

The next discussion will take place on April 24, 2019, 6:00-7:30 pm at the Whitted Building, 300 W. Tryon St. in Hillsborough. Please join us!

Click here for the flyer and more information!