Human Relations Commission

Complainant Rights and Responsibilities

The Youngstown Human Relations Commission accepts complaints of discrimination within the City on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or ancestry of birth in the areas of Fair Employment and Fair Housing.

Complaints may be filed within 180 days of the date on which the discriminatory act occurred. The Commission will then determine if the complaint falls within its jurisdiction.

File a Complaint

Fill out and submit a complaint form (see below) or call or visit the Human Relations Commission office:

The Commission staff will assist you in preparing the necessary documentation. Be sure to include all pertinent details and answer all questions fully. Supporting documents, such as employee handbooks and official policies, are helpful. Also, be sure to include contact information for any witnesses.

The Investigation

The Commission will seek a response from the Respondent (i.e. the person(s) named in the complaint as responsible for the offense), witnesses will be interviewed, and documents will be collected. The Commission may also contact you for clarification on certain items of your complaint, if new information is gathered. Notify the Commission if you receive or remember more information about your complaint.

Respondent Rights and Responsibilities

The Respondent will have the opportunity to ask questions, provide information, and offer witnesses. The Commission makes every attempt to protect a Respondent from unfounded discrimination charges.

During the investigation, the Commission may request access to relevant premises, records, and documents, and it has the right to examine, copy, and photograph evidence.

The Commission reserves the right to refer complaints to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or the Ohio Civil Rights Commission (OCRC).

A Respondent cannot act in any adverse way against a Complainant, against a witness for the Complainant, or resist or interfere with the Human Relations Commission staff in the lawful performance of their duty.

Potential Outcomes

The Commission has the authority to decide whether or not the complaint is justified. The Commission may determine there is:

• No Probable Cause and dismiss the complaint.
• Probable Cause and begin a conciliation process. If no satisfactory, voluntary settlement is arrived at, a formal hearing is convened, where evidence is filed and sworn testimony is heard. The finding of the hearing will be either that No Discrimination Occurred and the complaint will be dismissed, or that Discrimination Occurred and a request will be issued to the Respondent to end the discriminatory practice.

Julius Oliver

Chairperson (Term ending 12/10/17)

Julius Oliver is currently the 1st Ward Council Member and is the founder and chief operating officer of Kingly Hand Wash and Wax, as well as, a six-year veteran of the United States Army. A graduate of Youngstown Chaney High School (1999), Mr. Oliver will focus on the commission’s small business initiatives, as well as youth programming.

Porfirio Esparra, Jr.

Vice-Chairperson (Term ending 12/8/17)

Mr. Esparra is the Director of Employee Relations with Humility of Mary Health Partners St. Elizabeth Health Center. He is a trained Facilitator, having certifications in Effective Communications, Equal Employment Opportunity and Quality Improvement. Mr. Esparra attended Youngstown State University where he received a dual degree in Social Work & Spanish. He belongs to numerous civic community organizations and currently sits on the Board of Turning Point Counseling, Ohio Society of Health Care Human Resources Administrators, Mollie Kessler Community School, YSU Partners for work Place Diversity, Villa Maria Residential Services, Mahoning County Juvenile Justice Center Advisory Board, and is an active member of St. Rose of Lima Parish. Mr. Esparra is a resident of Youngstown and enjoys spending time with family, playing guitar and congas, listening and dancing to Salsa music, fishing, hunting, and gardening.

Hannah N. Ferguson

Member (Term ending 6/3/19)

Hannah Ferguson is a native of Youngstown, OH. She graduated from Chaney High School in 2000, received her Bachelor of Science from Kent State University in 2004, and graduated from Keller Graduate School of Management with her MBA in 2011. Currently working as an Academic Advisor at Eastern Gateway Community College, she is also an entrepreneur, a member with two nonprofit organizations, and volunteers at the Central YMCA with the Youth department.

Lynn Hart Bilal

Member (Term ending 6/3/19)

Lynn Hart Bilal is a native of Youngstown, Ohio where she received her Master in Education-Counseling and Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Youngstown State University. Since 1990, Lynn has dedicated her services to the anti-violence movement in various capacities. In addition to spending 25 years providing direct service to victims of sexual assault, she has worked as a Standardized Patient, a Social Worker for a domestic violence shelter, a Caseworker for abused and neglected children, a Job Coach for adults with disabilities, a Counselor for a driver intervention program, a part-time Instructor at Youngstown State University, and, most recently, a Community Organizer.

Her vast experiences and lessons learned from years of outreach, collaboration with local agencies, and advocacy with survivors has inspired her powerful mission to assist in ending sexual violence.

In her free time, Lynn enjoys traveling with her husband Kelan, spending time at home relaxing with their American Staffordshire Terrier, and exercising at the YMCA, where she is also a member of the Advisory Board.

Jacob Harver

Member (Term ending 5/3/19)

Jacob Harver is a lifelong resident of Youngstown. He attended Ursuline High School and in 2005 graduated Magna Cum Laude from Youngstown State University, majoring in History with a minor in Africana Studies. Mr. Harver is involved in multiple projects and organizations. His focus is on economic, political, and cultural development, environmental justice, and the arts.