CHRC > About CHRC

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OUR BEGINNING (HISTORY)

On November 17, 1943, the Mayor’s Friendly Relations Committee (MFRC) was created by resolution of Cincinnati City Council. The resolution provided that the Mayor be authorized to appoint an independent committee representing various racial, industrial, religious, and other groups, for the purpose of studying the problems connected with the promotion of harmony and tolerance, and acting as an advisory committee for the solution of such problems. The Committee, the second group of its type established in the United States, was composed of 36 trustees appointed by the Mayor and about 150 citizens.

After much transition and several years of struggle over the reorganization of the MFRC, an agreement was reached on March 17, 1965, and City Council adopted Ordinance 112-1965 providing for the establishment of the Cincinnati Human Relations Commission (CHRC).

CHRC has continually been a springboard and resource to other human relations related groups such as the Urban Appalachian Council, Martin Luther King, Jr. Coalition, community and resident councils, and individual citizens. CHRC, a trouble-shooter for human rights issues, continues to operate under a City ordinance as an independent, non-profit organization. CHRC serves as a catalyst to unify individuals and groups to improve human relations in the Greater Cincinnati area.