Moorhead commission to give four Human Rights Awards; plans outreach panels and presentations Dec. 8

The Moorhead Human Rights Commission voted on Nov. 19 to approve all four redacted nominations for the 2025 Human Rights Awards and confirmed plans to present them at the Dec. 8 city council meeting.

The commission received a packet of nominations in two categories (education and nonprofit). The chair explained the commission historically issues four awards and noted there are eight award slots distributed across this year and next. After discussion about whether to give two awards (one per category) or four, commissioners agreed to award all four nominees. A motion to approve all four nominations was made and seconded, and the chair called for the ayes; the motion passed (vote tally not specified).

Commissioners discussed logistics for the awards presentation at the council’s Dec. 8 meeting (social at 5:00 p.m., council meeting at 5:30 p.m.). Several commissioners volunteered to present honors. The commission also agreed that presenters should call nominees in advance to confirm nomination language and offer edits so that personal details are not read publicly without consent.

Separately, commissioners reported positive results from a recent outreach event, “cookies with the commissioner,” and proposed hosting panels with community partners including the police chief, the housing committee, legal aid, school representatives and city staff. The commission identified subcommittees and membership: events — Jennifer, Rhonda, Sebastian McDougall; awards — Jennifer Cannon and Trenton Garrets; education/outreach — Sihamah Mehdi, Evatt Ellis and Anna Rajesh. Commissioners emphasized panel scheduling and multiple posting channels (city events calendar and social media) to ensure residents know about future outreach.

The chair closed the meeting after confirming presenters and next steps.