The Cincinnati Human Relations Commission (CHRC) was established in November, 1943, as The Mayor's Friendly Relations Committee. Earlier that year, Detroit had erupted in a series of race riots, and leaders across the country were seeking to defuse racial tensions and promote nonviolent solutions to social and economic injustices. The purpose of agencies such as the CHRC was to give minority groups access to local government through internal advocacy, education and mediation.
Thomas Wagner and Phillip Obermiller have chronicled the accomplishments, challenges and failures of the CHRC in their newly released, book, "The Cincinnati Human Relations Commission: A History, 1943–2013."
Joining us to discuss the work of the Cincinnati Human Relations Commission are University of Cincinnati School of Planning Professor Emeritus, Dr. Thomas Wagner, and UC School of Planning Senior Visiting Scholar and a fellow at the University of Kentucky Appalachian Center, Dr. Phillip Obermiller.
Thomas Wagner and Phillip Obermiller will be at the Books by the Banks Cincinnati Regional Book Festival this Saturday, October 28. For more information, click here.