The Ames Human Relations Commission's (AHRC) purpose is to study the existence of discrimination in the community and work to minimize or eliminate it, promote goodwill among the various racial, religious, and ethnic groups in the City, and cooperate with other organizations to develop programs designed to eliminate racial, religious, cultural, and intergroup tensions.
AHRC has regular meetings on the 4th Thursday of the month at 5:30pm in Conference Room 235 at City Hall (515 Clark Avenue). Members of the public are welcome to attend and speak in the public forum.
Agendas
Minutes
| Month |
Event |
Role |
| January |
Ames/Story County MLK Day Celebration |
Sponsor, Presentation of Humanitarian Award |
| April |
Fair Housing Month |
Presentation of A Home for Everyone Award |
| May |
Asian and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month Celebration |
Sponsor |
| June |
Juneteenth Celebration |
Sponsor, Table at Event |
| August |
National Night Out |
Table at Event |
| September |
Pridefest |
Sponsor, Table at Event |
| November |
Building Inclusion Breakfast |
Sponsor |
AHRC also holds Quarterly Meet & Greets at rotating locations in the community to connect with residents. Watch City social media for more information.
Humanitarian Award
This award recognizes a worthy individual whose contributions to our community demonstrate extraordinary quality, especially in promoting diversity, inclusion and equity. Recipients are presented with the award during the community Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration held annually in January. To be eligible to receive the award, the nominee must reside in Ames.
Nominations are accepted between mid-October and late November each year.
Nomination Form
A Home for Everyone Award
This award recognizes and honors an individual or organization that has made an exemplary commitment to providing safe, quality, and equitable housing opportunities that enhance the quality of life of members of disadvantaged populations. The selected individual or organization will be recognized in April during Fair Housing Month. To be eligible to receive the award, the nominee must provide housing in the City of Ames.
Nominations are accepted between mid-January and late February each year.
Nomination Form
AHRC contract the Iowa Office of Civil Rights (IOCR) to investigate complaints of unlawful discrimination, which is defined as unfair treatment of an individual because of a personal characteristic. The Iowa Civil Rights Act of 1965 states that employment, housing, public accommodations, education, and credit considerations cannot be based on a person's color, creed, gender identity, marital status, mental disability, national origin, physical disability, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation.
If you feel you think that you have been unlawfully discriminated against, you may file a discrimination complaint. Complaints can be submitted directly to the Iowa Office of Civil Rights, or they can be submitted to the City Manager's Office (515 Clark Avenue, Ames, IA 50010) to be forwarded to the Iowa Office of Civil Rights for investigation. You may contact the City Manager's Office at 515-239-5101 with questions or for assistance in filling out a complaint form.
To learn more about the Iowa Office of Civil Rights' complaint process, click on the following link: Complaint Process.
My name is Pablo Suarez Beltran. I was born in Bogota, Colombia, and raised in Sioux City, IA. I graduated with a B.S. from the University of 
Iowa, where I studied Math and Computer Science and I became a US citizen in 2018 after nearly 16 years since arriving in the states. For the past 3 years, I have called Ames my home and I am currently working as a Software Engineer for a local company. In high school, I served on the Sioux City Mayor's Youth Commission for three years, which gave me a taste for volunteering in local government. Also, here in Ames, I am actively involved in the swimming community and the Polo Bears water polo club.
For me, being a part of the Ames Human Relations Commission is about investing in my community. I believe that to improve the community, one must actively participate and contribute, and I am excited about the opportunity to do just that. While I haven't yet had the opportunity to contribute directly to diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in my community, I am eagerly looking forward to serving on the Ames Human Relations Commission and making a positive impact. Outside of work and community involvement, I enjoy open water swimming, kayaking, and camping. I also spend time tending to our collection of plants, which we care for over the winter months and cherish spending time with my bull terrier puppy, Orbiter. Catch us walking around Ada Hayden or the farmers market — I'm always happy to engage with others in my community.
My name is Chunhui Chen. I am a proud Ames resident and Asian American and Pacific Islander member. I was born and grew up in China. My work at Iowa State University allows me to travel to many different countries and collaborate with many people of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds. It is an honor to be a part of the Ames Human Relations Commission and serve the community.
My name is Wayne Clinton and I am in my 54th year as a resident of Ames. I graduated from Truman State University, moved to Ames right after, and was hired to teach middle school social studies as the first African-American at an Ames middle school. Upon retirement, after 34 years serving as a teacher and coach, I was elected to the Story County Board of Supervisors and served for 16 years.
I have also been active on several boards in this community, including the Boys & Girls Club Youth Employment Advisory Board and YSS Policy Prevention Board and was a United Way (Nevada Cabinet) member. I am also an active member of the NAACP, serve on the Ames History Museum Board, and NAMI Of Central Iowa Board. I represent the AHRC on the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Celebration Committee. I was also appointed by the Iowa Governors to the State Juvenile Justice Advisory Council, State Mental Health Risk Pool Board, the Disproportionate Minority Contact Commission (DMC), where I chaired for several years. I am a part of this commission because I am proud to promote and encourage a diverse, equitable and inclusive community. The commission will act as advocates for the City of Ames and its residents.
My name is Shawn Kenny and I was raised on a farm in northwest Iowa. I have a BS in Agricultural Engineering from Iowa State University and have spent most of my career working as a design engineer of agricultural equipment. My career has taken me many places including India, Brazil, Ukraine, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Canada, Czech Republic, Poland and includes working abroad in Denmark with my family for 3 1/2 years. I am currently the manager of an engineering team that sit in four different countries and six different time zones that span 12 1/2 hours apart. I am married and have three children. I look forward to being part of the Ames Human Relations Commission and hope my background and experiences can be utilized to serve our community.
My name is Annabella Marquez, although you can call me Bella. I am currently a student at the Des Moines Area Community College pursuing an AA in Criminal Justice, and I will be transferring to Iowa State University in the Fall of 2024 to complete my BA in Criminal Justice, minoring in Political Science. I have lived in Ames for my entire life, and I currently work for a local law office. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve on the Ames Human Relations Commission, and I hope to grow and learn from this experience!
My name is F. Marty Martinez, PhD. I was born and raised in Los Angeles by parents, Frank and Anita, who taught me the value and worth of all people. I pursued both the avocation and vocation of helping people by completing a Bachelors of Psychology at UCLA and my Masters and PhD in Counseling Psychology at the University of Nebraska. I’ve had the opportunity the counsel in the community, in colleges, in prisons, in churches, and with Olympic athletes. Through them all, I learned more deeply the value of contributing to a kind, caring, just, and supportive community. I look forward to working with this wonderful team of Ames Human Relations Commissioners.
Coloring Book
Commission members developed a coloring book as an engagement tool to introduce trailblazers in Ames history to the community. Download your own copy here:
Trailblazers in Ames History(PDF, 1MB)
Liaison to LGBTQ+ and Local Community Organizations
Any person who has concerns or questions regarding LGBTQ+ matters or local community organizations may contact the following City staff:
- Casandra Eames, Engagement Coordinator at 515-239-5219
- Located in the City Manager's Office, City Hall, 515 Clark Ave, Ames, IA
Public Safety Resolution
The Ames City Council adopted a resolution reaffirming the public safety function of local law enforcement at its June 27, 2017, meeting. View the resolution here: Res-No.-17-427.pdf(PDF, 62KB)