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Kirkwood Human Rights Commission summarizes 2024 outreach, flags ordinance updates for 2025
Summary
The Kirkwood Human Rights Commission presented its 2024 annual report to the City Council, highlighting community events, an essay contest with 114 student entries, continued engagement with police leadership and plans to submit recommended updates to the city’s discrimination ordinance in 2025.
David Hartung, chair of the Kirkwood Human Rights Commission, told the City Council the commission’s 2024 work focused on community events, public engagement and preparing ordinance recommendations.
“As always, we’re delighted to present our annual report,” Hartung said, summarizing a year that included a Martin Luther King Jr. Day observance, an annual essay contest and panels marking the 10th anniversary of the Ferguson Commission.
The commission said its MLK Day event—held at Kirkwood High School’s Keating Center and cohosted with the Meacham Park Neighborhood Improvement Association, Kirkwood Social Justice Coalition and Kirkwood Historical Society—drew about 350 to 400 people and included a keynote from Missouri Supreme Court Justice Robin Ransom. The commission reported 114 student essays were submitted to its annual contest from Kirkwood High School, Ursuline Academy and MICDS; awardees were recognized at a June council meeting.
Hartung told the council the commission maintained a visible presence across city events (farmers market, Green Tree Festival and several police department activities) and held quarterly meetings with Chief Murphy to discuss officer training, staffing diversity and community engagement. The commission said it continued work on proposed updates to the city’s discrimination ordinance and expects to submit recommendations in the coming year.
Mayor Gibbons thanked Hartung and the commission for their work. The chair closed by asking for questions and feedback from the council; none were recorded during the presentation.
The commission also reported continued engagement with the Kirkwood School District on belonging and inclusion initiatives, and said it will continue outreach and listening sessions in 2025.
