Human Relations

Working to Promote Equal Opportunity

We serve as an innovative, proactive, and project-oriented public service department promoting equal opportunity and positive community relations to facilitate the protection of human and civil rights in Fayetteville and Cumberland County via the City's Human Relations Ordinance and through effective collaborations/partnerships with residents, elected and appointed leaders, and individuals in the public, private, non-profit, and higher education sectors.

2027 Community Awards

The Fayetteville-Cumberland Human Relations (FCHR) Community Awards recognize residents and local organizations committed to helping others and promoting positive human relations throughout Fayetteville and Cumberland County.

The nomination period is open through Dec. 11.

Nominate Someone for the FCHR Community Awards

2027-Community-Awards.png
Award Categories

Youth Award

Recognizes a student age 21 or younger who has lived in Cumberland County for at least one year before the nomination and has provided outstanding service to promote positive human relations. Service may include helping at a church or school, tutoring or mentoring, or assisting older adults.

Humanitarian Award

Honors an individual whose outstanding volunteer or humanitarian work shows unselfish, extraordinary concern for others and promotes harmony, understanding and positive human relations. Nominees should demonstrate dependable, consistent, people-focused commitment, have a positive effect on others and make contributions that may be overshadowed by their humility.

Lifetime Achievement Award

Recognizes an individual with at least 20 years of work, volunteer service or civic and community involvement that advances human relations and the betterment of the community. Nominees should have promoted or participated in local or state human relations efforts and initiated at least one such effort.

Individual Award

Recognizes an individual who demonstrates concern for people facing oppression or economic hardship, speaks out on issues affecting their lives, takes part in community or civic affairs and works to improve the community. Nominees should have participated in at least one activity worthy of human relations recognition and demonstrate a positive commitment to improving human relations.

Industry/Business Award

Recognizes a business or industry that supports equal employment opportunity, offers training or leadership development to help employees advance, and promotes or participates in local or state human relations efforts. The business may also offer an educational scholarship program and should have initiated at least one human relations effort.

Educator Award

Recognizes an educator who takes part in at least one noteworthy human relations activity during the school year, promotes positive human relations throughout the school system and demonstrates a commitment to improving human relations.

Military Award

Recognizes an active-duty or reserve military member, unit or organization that promotes positive human and race relations through activities and programs addressing inequality. Nominees should demonstrate a commitment to improving human relations throughout Fort Bragg and Fayetteville-Cumberland County.

Religious Leader Award

Recognizes a religious leader who promotes positive human and race relations through activities and programs, is actively involved in addressing community problems and demonstrates a commitment to improving human relations.

Organization Award

Recognizes a commission, board or organization that offers equal opportunity training, orientation or workshops; provides activities and programs that promote positive human relations; meets regularly; and is actively involved in addressing community concerns.

Community Recognition Awards Luncheon

Award recipients will be celebrated at the Annual Community Recognition Awards Luncheon on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2027, at 11 a.m. at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden, 536 N. Eastern Blvd. in Fayetteville.

Tickets are $35 and are available at the Human Relations Office, 225 Ray Ave., Suite 100, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets, tables and sponsorships are also available.

Proceeds from the Community Awards support Human Relations scholarships for high school seniors who plan to pursue higher education.

For more information, contact the Human Relations Department at 910-433-1696 or DionaCurtis@FayettevilleNC.gov.

Freedom Begins With Us: Civil Rights & Fair Housing Summit Webinar - Part 1

The Fayetteville-Cumberland Human Relations Department invites you to join Part 1 of the Freedom Begins With Us Civil Rights & Fair Housing Summit Webinar.

This virtual session features two presentations exploring accessibility and current fair housing trends. Hear from the featured presenters about ways to create more inclusive environments and understand developments affecting fair housing in our communities.

Featured Presenters:

  • Darren Gladstone
    • U.S. Operations Director, RightHear
    • Learn about innovative accessibility solutions and the importance of creating inclusive environments for everyone.
  • Theresa L. Kitay
    • Shareholder, Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC
    • Gain insight into current fair housing trends, issues and developments impacting our communities.

Register for free

poster.jpg

Freedom begins with us!

Human Relations Scholarship Application

The Fayetteville-Cumberland Human Relations Scholarship is available to Cumberland County high school, private school, and home school graduating senior for financial assistance towards his/her attendance to a two or four-year college or university of their choice.

Applications can be submitted to the Fayetteville-Cumberland Human Relations Department by: 

  • Mail: 433 Hay Street, Fayetteville, NC 28301
  • Dropped off in-person: 225 Ray Avenue, Suite 100, Fayetteville, NC 28301 (Monday – Friday between 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.)

Applications must be received or postmarked by March 26, 2026.  

Eligibility Criteria

  • Student has resided in Cumberland County at least one year immediately prior to applying for this scholarship;
  • Student will be a senior in a high school located in Cumberland County;
  • Student has maintained an average of 2.50 GPA (unweighted) or better; and
  • Student has been admitted as a full-time student in an accredited course of study to a two or four-year college or university. Amount of Scholarship: $1,000

Download the Application

About Us

fayetteville cumberland logo Fayetteville-Cumberland Human Relations serves the greater Fayetteville and Cumberland County Community in many ways. One of those ways involves responding to requests for assistance. In listening to residents’ concerns, department personnel will determine whether the issue falls within the purview of the Department. If the issue is jurisdictional to the Department, appointments are made with staff who will investigate allegations of discrimination. Concerns that are outside of the Department’s jurisdiction are routed to the appropriate agencies at the local, state, or federal level.

With the support of the Fayetteville Fair Housing Board and the Fayetteville-Cumberland Human Relations Commission, the Department provides educational outreach to the public, private, and nonprofit sectors of the community. The outreach includes coordinating and sponsoring annual equal employment opportunity and fair housing workshops. Additionally, the staff conducts professional development training for management and employees in employment law, fair housing, and sexual harassment. The Board, Department, and Commission sponsor public forums that address human relations issues and inform individuals about topics that impact quality of life.

The Fayetteville Fair Housing Board and the Human Relations Commission provides the City Council and County Commissioners with advice on improving human relationships and encourages harmony among racial and ethnic groups.

Volunteer Time Measuring Tool (VTMT)

Volunteer Time Measuring Tool (VTMT)

Department Dual Functions

Encouraging Harmony Among Racial and Ethnic Groups

The Fayetteville-Cumberland Human Relations Department has dual primary functions.

Protecting Civil Rights

Counseling: Parties are counseled about equal opportunity practices, civil rights regulations, and options for resolving complaints at the lowest level.

Referral: Referrals are provided for complaints not within the department's jurisdiction to state and federal agencies.

Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) Mediation: Mediation is a form of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) that is offered as an alternative to the traditional investigative process. Mediation is an informal process in which a third party helps the opposing parties reach a voluntary, negotiated resolution of a complaint.

Investigation: Investigation assistance is provided when a complaint is not resolved through counseling or mediation. Steps may include collecting and analyzing evidence, interpreting civil rights regulations, and making closure determinations. The investigator is a staff person who is trained to investigate allegations of unlawful civil violations.

Equal Opportunity Complaints: Persons who believe that they have been discriminated against in housing.

Promoting Equal Opportunity & Positive Community Relations

Equal Employment Opportunity Education: Training is provided to individuals, businesses, and organizations to prevent unfair treatment and equal opportunity violations.

Civil & Human Rights Community Programs

  • Annual Recognition Awards
  • Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship Awards

Cultural & Diversity Awareness Activities: An annual calendar of events includes Human Relations Month in February, Fair Housing Month in April, Barrier Awareness Week in May, National Disability Employment Awareness Month in October, and International Human Rights Week in December.

Fair Housing Education Initiative: The Department enforces the City of Fayetteville's Fair Housing Ordinance and works with renters, buyers, and housing providers to encourage a proactive approach for addressing fair housing issues and concerns.

Fayetteville-Cumberland Human Relations Commission

The Fayetteville-Cumberland Human Relations Commission's Mission Statement is: "To facilitate and advocate programs, projects, and actions to ensure a better quality of life and the civil and human rights of all residents, without regard to race, sex, religion, creed, national origin, age, familial status, or disability."

The Human Relations Commission provides the City Council and County Commission members with advice on improving human relations and encourages harmony and community unity among racial, religious, and ethnic groups. 

Members
  • Eric Bradley Sr., Chairman
  • Crystal Edmonds, Vice-Chairwoman
  • Dr. Lynndora Thompson, Secretary
  • Dr. Tracy Pelt, At-Large
  • Sarah Singletary, At-Large
  • Scarlett Abounada
  • Denise Abrams
  • Rachel Andress
  • Dr. Michelle Dean
  • Amanda Hefner
  • Milette Herring
  • Michael Long
  • William "Bill" Milton
  • Dr. Toshiba Narcisse
  • Michael Sabb
  • Dakiesha Upchurch

THE FCHRC WAS ESTABLISHED BY ORDINANCE IN 1968. Part II-Code of Ordinances, Chapter 2-Administration, Sec. 2.39, Human Relations Commission Code of Ordinance  

Historical Overview of the Human Relations Commission

In the early 1960’s, the first bi-racial committee was formed with the objective of identifying greater opportunities and further equality for persons considered the minority. Student demonstrations under the direction of the National Association of the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) began in May 1963. The committee had made progress during this time, but the student demonstrations accelerated the movement and increased local attention to inequalities.

On June 30, 1963, Mayor A. Wilbur Clark formed the bi-racial committee in hopes of mediating an amicable resolution between the local council of the NAACP, and to establish strategies for a peaceful desegregation.

On July 19, 1963, the committee issued a report with progressive objectives for desegregation. The report, considered by the local council of the NAACP called for a halt to the demonstrations.

In 1963 Fayetteville moved ahead of other cities in eastern North Carolina by opening “public accommodations” and “tax supported facilities”.

During 1963-1964, the committee members observed other areas where major changes were taking place: Police, Fire, employment opportunities, hospitals, cafeteria facilities, and various institutions, such as, drive-in theaters, local bowling lanes, and professional organizations.

In 1964 the Fayetteville Good Neighbor Council was appointed by the Mayor at the urging of the bi-racial committee to work on equal employment opportunities. In spite of good intentions by the Council, no meaningful work was accomplished. This may have been due to a lack of communication by the Council.

On April 28, 1965, the Mayor’s second bi-racial committee recommended that the incoming Mayor and City Council create, by ordinance, a Human Relations Committee. The Committee was to comprise of nine or more local residents, and the membership to be drawn from both races. The Committee would advise a small paid staff of at least an Executive Director and a Secretary. The staff was to be set up as a City Department with a budget, and would report to the City Manager, and the Human Relations Committee. The Committee also recommended strong emphasis be placed on all facets of improving race relations, but with particular concentration in the fields of equal employment opportunities and job training. The recommendations were also shared with residents, professional organizations, Fayetteville Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Downtown Fayetteville Association, etcetera.

Three years later (1968), Council, by ordinance, created the Fayetteville Human Relations Advisory Commission, and the Human Relations Department to represent the City’s efforts to provide channels through which racial tensions may be anticipated, cooperation sought, and amicable resolutions achieved.

The Human Relations Advisory Commission was composed of eleven members who represented a racial, ethnic, and economic cross-section of the residents of Fayetteville. Additionally, there were two (2) students and one (1) ex-officio member from Fort Bragg. As part of a governmental entity, the Commission was subject to the same supervision, personnel management, operations, and budget procedures that apply to all other City departments.

The Commission was tasked with studying problems of discrimination in various areas of human relations and to encourage fair treatment and mutual understanding among all racial and ethnic groups in Fayetteville. The members of the Commission work without compensation for two-year terms. Commission vacancies were appointed by City Council.

Presently, the Human Relations Commission, by inter-local governmental agreement, the Commission represents the City of Fayetteville and Cumberland County. Known today as the Fayetteville-Cumberland Human Relations Commission, the City appoints eleven members (11), the County appoints four (4), and ex-officio appointments to include one (1) military and one (1) Department of the Army Civilian from Fort Bragg, and one (1) representative from Pope Army Airbase.

FCHR Commission Minutes

2026

2025

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

About the Director

Yamile Nazar
Human Relations Director, ADA Title II Compliance Officer

YamileNazar@FayettevilleNC.gov

Nazar_photo.jpg Yamile Nazar was appointed as the new director for the Fayetteville-Cumberland Human Relations Department on January 3, 2022.

Nazar is responsible for the department’s existing programs and services which includes support for the Fayetteville-Cumberland Human Relations Commission and Fair Housing Board. She is also broadening existing efforts, both internally and externally, through the implementation of innovative strategies supporting positive human relations and opportunities for all.

A resident of Fayetteville, Nazar has extensive experience in the public sector having held prior positions as an investigator and mediator in the State of New York. She has also served as a community engagement professional for the Durham County Library and a division manager for the City of Greensboro’s Human Relations Department.

Nazar is a recent graduate of Cornell University’s Diversity and Inclusion Certificate Program and a certified U.S. Army Equal Employment Opportunity Counselor. She previously earned a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and a Master of Public Administration from Long Island University.

Human Relations Staff

Staff Title Phone Email
Chambliss, Imani Office Assistant II (910) 433-1696 ShamuntaChambliss@FayettevilleNC.gov
Curtis, Diona Administrative Specialist (910) 433-1698 DionaCurtis@fayettevillenc.gov
Nazar, Yamile Human Relations Director, ADA Title II Compliance Officer (910) 433-1696 YamileNazar@FayettevilleNC.gov
Padilla, Yamilet Human Relations Specialist (910) 433-1697 YamiletPadila@FayettevilleNC.gov
Back to top