Human Rights Commission Meeting

CITY OF NORMAN, OK HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION MEETING Municipal Building, Executive Conference Room 201 West Gray, Norman, OK 73069 Monday, May 18, 2026 at 5:30 PM MINUTES The Human Rights Commission of the City of Norman, Cleveland County, State of Oklahoma, met in Regular Session in the Executive Conference Room at the Municipal Building, on Monday, May 18, 2026 at 5:30 PM and notice of the agenda of the meeting was posted at the Norman Municipal Building at 201 West Gray, and on the City website at least 24 hours prior to the beginning of the meeting. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT Aisha Ali, Chair (Ward 3) Romina Navarro Vega (Ward 6) Jessica Schwager (Ward 4) Brandon Clark (Ward 5) COMMISSIONERS ABSENT Jackie Farley (Ward 8) Phillip Moss (Ward 2) Rachel Wyatt-Swanson (Ward 8) STAFF PRESENT Grace Holloman, Accessibility and Culture Coordinator Sarah Encinias, Legal Admin Tech ROLL CALL A quorum was present. Chair Ali called the meeting to order at 5:29 p.m. MINUTES 1. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FOR THE APRIL 27, 2026, REGULAR MEETING Motion was made by Commissioner Clark to approve the Minutes for the April 27, 2026, regular meeting and motion was duly seconded by Commissioner Schwager. A vote was taken with the following results: all approved and none opposed. The Minutes were approved by unanimous vote. ACTION ITEMS 2. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON PROCLAMATION PROCESS Chair Ali asked if anyone had any questions. She said she had a template email that she sends to proclamation recipients and Ms. Holloman said she would send the template to everyone. Also, Ms. Holloman said the Hispanic Heritage Month HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION MEETING - Monday, May 18, 2026 Page |1  proclamation may need to be changed back to its originally planned council day due to it being celebrated mid-month. 3. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING MISSION AND GOALS FOR 2026 Commissioner Clark motioned for a special meeting dedicated to discuss this topic only. Commissioners discussed various ideas for missions and goals and wanted to be more involved in community action. Chair Ali suggested possibly using a focus group to plan the next Interfaith Breakfast; Commissioners agreed to hold special meetings to plan the breakfast instead, if needed. Commissioner Clark asked members to agree on a date in June or July for the special meeting. Members agreed on either Monday, June 29 or Thursday, July 2. Different meeting lengths were discussed by different members and included possible lengths of 2 or 4 hours. As before, members will email ideas and suggestions to Ms. Holloman prior to the meeting. Commissioners also wish to attach an addendum to further detail this item. ANNOUNCEMENTS Commissioner Clark asked if the Human Rights Complaint form can be submitted online. Staff confirmed it cannot as the form requires signature and a notary. He and additional commissioners asked to have an in depth meeting about the complaint process. Commissioner Clark also suggested inviting every councilmember, one at a time, to an HRC meeting. Commissioner Schwager said she learned of a book she wanted to share with members after speaking with someone associated with the City of Oklahoma City’s Human Rights Commission. The book is entitled Redeem a Nation by Damario Soloman-Simmons, a civil rights attorney who represents still living survivors of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. Additional information can be found at the following link: https://www.redeemanation.com/ Commissioner Navarro Vega said she connected with the International Human Rights class at the University of Oklahoma and gained valuable insight after speaking with students about how global issues shape individual communities. Chair Ali briefly mentioned an activity she registered for online and said she would share it with Ms. Holloman to share with commissioners after the meeting. MISCELLANEOUS COMMENTS (Public Comments) None. ADJOURNMENT This meeting was adjourned at 6:28 p.m. HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION MEETING - Monday, May 18, 2026 Page |2