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EHRAC - ACTION ITEM: (1) Review and Discuss the Equity and Human Relations Awards Presentation; (2) Review and Make Edits to The Proposed Honoree Biographies As Deemed Appropriate; and (3) Approve the Presentation and Honoree Biographies for the Equity and Human Relations Awards Presentation at a City Council Meeting.
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Meeting Date: July 22, 2025
Contact Person/Dept: Michelle Hamilton/Human Resources
Phone Number: (310) 253-5640
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: [X]
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (07/17/2025); (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - Equity & Human Relations Advisory Committee (07/17/2025); (E-Mail) All City Staff (07/17/2025)
Department Approval: Dana Anderson, Human Resources Director (07/16/2025)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Equity and Human Relations Advisory Committee (EHRAC): (1) review and discuss the Equity and Human Relations Awards presentation; (2) review and make edits to the proposed honoree biographies as deemed appropriate; and (3) approve the presentation and honoree biographies for the Equity and Human Relations Awards presentation at a City Council Meeting.
BACKGROUND
In 2021, the Culver City Equity and Human Relations Advisory Committee created a Community Contributions Award to honor outstanding individuals and businesses for their contributions to equity and human relations in Culver City.
During the April 26, 2022, meeting, there was clarification that the 2021 award would be issued as the “Equity and Human Relations Award.”
For the last three years, the awards recipients have been individuals, nonprofit organizations, and businesses that have embodied inclusiveness, altruism, and giving through volunteerism and public service to make Culver City a better place for all people to live. Medallions are granted to honorees from each of the categories listed below:
• An Individual - A Culver City resident or a person employed in Culver City;
• A Student - Resident of Culver City or attending a Culver City Elementary School; Middle School, High School, or West LA College;
• A Culver City business owner; and
• An executive director of a non-profit organization serving the Culver City area.
At the August 27, 2024, Special Meeting, EHRAC achieved consensus to create a 2024-2025 Equity and Human Relation Awards Ad Hoc Subcommittee and appoint Members Rona, Moammar, and Chair Bano thereto. The 2024-2025 Equity and Human Relations Awards Ad Hoc Subcommittee’s purpose is to address the planning of a timeline, the development of a rubric, the completion of marketing and advertising, the review and modification of the nomination form as deemed necessary, coordination of the collection of nominations and to relay the top nominees to EHRAC for a vote.
At the October 22, 2024, Special Meeting, EHRAC reached consensus to hear a report from the 2024-2025 Equity and Human Relations Awards Ad Hoc Subcommittee at the November 19, 2024, Special Meeting.
At the November 19, 2024, Special Meeting, EHRAC agreed to add Member Valverde to the existing Equity and Human Relations Awards Ad Hoc Subcommittee, to modify existing categories and descriptions, in addition to website updates, and the approval of the flyer with modifications as necessitated by updates to the website
On January 8, 2025, the City’s Equity and Human Relations Awards website and on-line nominee submission form were updated and published with the current and updated awards information. Categories were modified as follows:
• Individual: Nominees for the individual award must reside or be employed in Culver City.
• Student: Nominees for the student award must reside in Culver City, and/or attend a school in Culver City, or attend West Los Angeles College.
• Business Owner: Nominees for the business owner award must own a business located in Culver City.
• President or Executive Director of a Non-Profit: Nominees for the non-profit award must be a leader of a non-profit located in or that serves Culver City and the greater area.
At the January 28, 2025, Regular Meeting, the Awards Ad Hoc Committee reported marketing and outreach efforts, timeline for submission review, and the flyer, website, and updated categories were discussed to ensure all messaging was consistent.
At the April 22, 2025, Regular Meeting, EHRAC reached consensus to push this item over to the May 20, 2025, Special Meeting.
At the May 20, 2025, Special Meeting, EHRAC reached consensus to award the following awards:
• Individual: Dr. Jo Tavares Reager
• Student: Kalia Lowitz
• Business Owner: Fawaz Istwani and Nicholas Conner, Owners of Jackson Market
• President or Executive Director of a Non-Profit: Jane Borochoff, Executive Director of the Westside Regional Center.
DISCUSSION
Review and discuss the award presentation format, the designated speaker for the presentation of awards (i.e., Chair and/or Vice Chair and/or designee; and the proposed biographies of the honorees. Make edits to the proposed honoree biographies as deemed appropriate. (Attachment 1)
FISCAL ANALYSIS
There is an approximate $610.00 budgetary impact for the purchase and personalization of the award medallions.
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2025-07-22_ATT1_EHRA Honoree Biographies_07102025
MOTION
That the Equity and Human Relations Advisory Committee:
1. Review and discuss the EHRAC Awards presentation;
2. Review and make edits to the proposed honoree biographies as deemed appropriate; and
3. Approve the presentation and honoree biographies for the Equity and Human Relations Awards presentation at a City Council Meeting.