The Human
Rights Department (HRD) is comprised of three divisions:
Administration, Local Economic Development and Equal Opportunity. This
arrangement aligns with the City’s strategic priorities and represents
where its resources are allocated to fulfill overall service and
program goals.
General Administration: Oversees the department
while working to build partnerships that accomplish its mission and
purpose. Working with the City of Detroit’s Human Rights Commission, it
establishes departmental policies. It allocates the resources such as
staff, materials, funds and time to maximize overall productivity.
Working with both internal and external customers to enhance staff
performance, program management and timely feedback is also a major
administrative responsibility.
Local Economic Development:
Promotes and encourages local business contracting opportunities as
directed by the following new Executive Orders 2003-03, 2003-04 and
2003-05 authorized in November 2003. This division manages the Business
Certification Program and publishes the Certified Business Register. It
maintains the Contract Information Tracking System, which measures the
City's contracting performance related to the goals as set forth in the
above Executive Orders. Additional responsibilities include monitoring
components of specific agreements between the City and major
developers. The Local Economic Development Division engages in Detroit
business partnerships, to enhance local economic development through
these interconnected program components.
Equal Opportunity:
Underscores the City’s commitment to take an active role in promoting
fair and just relations between its varied constituencies. A major
focus is investigating discrimination complaints based on defined
protected factors. Also, we review the hiring practices of all vendors
awaiting City Council approval of contracts. Our goal is to raise the
vendor community’s conscience level with regard to the benefits of a
diverse workforce. Equal employment opportunity in Detroit is further
encouraged through the division’s monitoring and reporting on hiring
practices through Public Act 146 (Obsolete Property Tax Abatements)
& 198 (Plant Rehabilitation and Industrial Development Districts
Law). We seek ways to more effectively promote Detroit resident
representation within the construction skilled trade industry.
The
Human Rights Department’s slogan “Detroit Means Business” is
fundamental in realizing social and economic progress throughout the
City’s diverse community. Laws at many governmental levels guarantee
the right of social inclusion and personal protection. However,
economic opportunity is a way to a better quality of life for everyone.
Therefore, we are about the business of protecting civil rights while
working to improve economic circumstances for our residents and
businesses.