The Mayor’s Advisory Commission on Human Relations was established in November of 2009 through Executive Order JB-2009-03 [Amended JB-2020-10] to advise the Mayor and recommend ways to better recognize the contributions of all Carmel residents to our great quality of life and identify any obstacles that may prevent full citizen participation in all of our City’s civic, and other, activities.

The mission of the Commission is to advise the Mayor on ways to better recognize and appreciate the contributions of our citizens of all races and ancestries, and to identify any obstacles that may prevent full citizen participation in all civic and other activities taking place within Carmel’s corporate boundaries. The Commission serves as a forum for citizens to informally raise and discuss situations in our community that involve possible prejudice, intolerance or bigotry that adversely affects the public welfare. The Commission will advise the Mayor of any current policy, procedure or practice followed by our city’s public safety or other personnel that it feels hampers a showing of mutual respect and understanding by and between municipal employees and Carmel residents, or a lack of sensitivity to civic rights issues.

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Events

• City of Carmel Solidarity Vigil 06/03/2020

• City of Carmel Gather in Support of our Asian American Community 04/28/2021

Statements by the Commission

• City Council regarding RFRA 09/17/2015

• BZA regarding Al-Salam Foundation’s request for Zoning Variance 02/26/2018

• Carmel Clay School Board regarding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 05/17/2021

Recommended Reading about Cultures/Diversity

• Recommended books about cultures and diversity from the members of the Commission

Commission meetings are held the 2nd Thursday of the 2nd month of a calendar quarter at 4:00 p.m. in City Hall’s 2nd floor Caucus Room.

2021 Meetings

2020 Meetings

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Current Commission Members:

(The Commission consists of up to nine members appointed by the Mayor plus two ex-officio members)

Anushree Bag
  Term Expires 12/31/2022

Jim Barlow
Carmel Police Chief
   Ex-officio

Raju Chinthala
  Term Expires 12/31/2022

Chaka Coleman
  Term Expires 12/31/2021

Shelley Coover
Carmel Clay Schools Representative
  Term Expires 12/31/2022

Barb Lamb
City of Carmel Director of Human Resources
  Ex-officio

Ashhar Madni
  Term Expires 12/31/2022

Kelvin Okamoto
  Term Expires 12/31/2021

Natalia Rekhter
  Term Expires 12/31/2022

Dee Thornton
  Term Expires 12/31/2021

Michael Wallack
  Term Expires 12/31/2021

If you have a question or concern, you may contact the Commission at diversity@carmel.in.gov

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Commission Contact:

Sharon Kibbe, Recording Secretary
City of Carmel
Office of the Mayor
1 Civic Square
Carmel, Indiana 46032
skibbe@carmel.in.gov