Charlottesville Human Rights Commission turns 10 

November marked the 10th anniversary of Charlottesville’s Human Rights Commission, a body created after the Dialogue on Race that began in December 2009. City Council agreed to create the body on a 3 to 1 vote on May 20, 2013 with Councilor Satyendra Huja abstaining. 

“The Charlottesville Human Rights Commission held its first meeting on November 21, 2013,” said Charlottesville Mayor Lloyd Snook, reading from a proclamation marking the occasion. “The role of the Charlottesville Human Rights Commission is to act as a strong advocate for justice and equal opportunity by providing citywide leadership and guidance in the area of Civil Rights.”

The proclamation was received by Ernest Chambers, the vice chair of the Human Rights Commission.

“We are one of the few left in the state of Virginia that are active,” Chambers said. “It’s very important for us to continue our work and support especially affordable housing that is going on here in Charlottesville. 

The budget for the Office of Human Rights has increased during the time period from a FY20 figure of $184,470 to a FY24 figure of $487,553. There are now four full-time employees.

The website for the Human Rights Commission does not have any link to any recent reports, and the city’s Laserfiche archive only has records from 2018, 2019, and 2020.

The 2022 report of the Charlottesville Human Rights Commission was presented to the City Council on June 5, 2023. (download the report)

Take a look at the minutes from that May 20, 2013 meeting. That was the same night as the public hearing for the 2013 Comprehensive Plan. Two people spoke. 

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