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EHRAC: ACTION ITEM - (1) RECEIVE AND FILE A REPORT FROM THE 2025-2026 EQUITY AND HUMAN RELATIONS AWARD AD HOC SUBCOMMITTEE; (2) IF SO DESIRED, DISCUSS AND CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE HONOREE BIOS; AND (3) AUTHORIZE THE 2025-2026 EQUITY AND HUMAN RELATIONS AWARDS AD HOC SUBCOMMITTEE TO COMPLETE AND SUBMIT THE APPLICATIONS FOR RECOGNITION AT A CITY COUNCIL MEETING USING THE APPROVED BIOGRAPHY FOR EACH HONOREE.
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Meeting Date: May 12, 2026
Contact Person/Dept.: Michelle Hamilton/Human Resources
Phone Number: (310) 253-5647
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Attachments: Yes [X] No []
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (05/11/2026) ; (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - Equity & Human Relations Advisory Committee (05/11/2026); (E-Mail) All City Staff (05/11/2026)
Department Approval Name, Title Date: Dana Anderson, Chief Human Resources Officer (05/08/2026)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Equity and Human Relations Advisory Committee (EHRAC):
(1) receive and file a report from the 2025-2026 Equity and Human Relations Award Ad Hoc Subcommittee; (2) if so desired, discuss and consider approval of the honoree biographies; and (3) authorize the 2025-2026 Equity and Human Relations Awards Ad Hoc Subcommittee to complete and submit the applications for Recognition at a City Council Meeting using the approved biography for each honoree.
BACKGROUND
In 2021, the Culver City Equity and Human Relations Advisory Committee (EHRAC) 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 past four (4) 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.
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 City of 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 September 16, 2025, Special Meeting, EHRAC achieved consensus to create a 2025-2026 Equity and Human Relations Award (EHRA) Ad Hoc Subcommittee and appoint Members Rona, Moammar, and Valverde thereto.
• The 2025-2026 EHRA 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 January 27, 2026, Regular Meeting, EHRAC reached consensus to add Chair Renteria to the 2025-2026 EHRAC Ad Hoc Subcommittee and to hear a report from the EHRAC Ad Hoc Subcommittee at the February 24, 2026, Special Meeting.
At the February 24, 2026, Special Meeting, EHRAC reached consensus to (1) authorize Members Rona, Valverde and Jones to speak about the awards at a City Council Meeting and a Culver City Unified School District Board Meeting; (2) receive and file the report; (3) approve and distribute the flyer; and (4) hear a brief update and report from the EHRAC Ad Hoc Subcommittee at the April 28, 2026, Regular Meeting.
At the April 28, 2026, Regular Meeting EHRAC reached consensus to honor the following with the 2026 Equity and Human Relations Award.
• Student: Lailanie Azam
• Individual: Sameen Ahmadnia
• Executive Director CEO of Non-Profit: Joelle Kirtley, Founder and Executive Director of Mass Liberation
• Business Owner: Jennifer Casper, Owner of Village Well Books and Coffee
Additionally, the Equity and Human Relations Advisory Committee reached consensus to receive a report from the 2025-2026 Equity and Human Relations Awards Ad Hoc Subcommittee at its May 12, 2026, Special Meeting for the purpose of reviewing the honoree biographies to be included in the Request for Recognition at a City Council Meeting application, in accordance with Culver City best practices and CC Recognition Policy 3402 <https://www.culvercity.gov/City-Hall/City-Departments/City-Manager/City-Clerk/City-Council-Recognition>.
DISCUSSION
Review the 2025-2026 EHRAC Ad Hoc Subcommittee Report and the proposed biographies. (Attachment 1)
FISCAL ANALYSIS
There are no fiscal impacts associated with this discussion at this point in time.
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2026-05-12_ATT1_2025-2026 Equity and Human Relations Award Ad Hoc Subcommittee Report_05062026
recommended action
MOTION(S)
That the Equity and Human relations Advisory Committee:
1. Receive and file a report from the Equity and Human Relations Award Ad Hoc Subcommittee;
2. If so desired, discuss and consider approval of the honoree biographies; and
3. Authorize the 2025-2026 Equity and Human Relations Awards Ad Hoc Subcommittee to complete and submit the applications for Recognition at a City Council Meeting using the approved biography for each honoree.