LB names Melissa Morgan new Human Dignity officer
JUNE 2, 2007 | SIGNAL TRIBUNE
City Manager Gerald R. Miller announced Melissa Morgan will be the Human Dignity officer for the city of Long Beach.
Morgan will be responsible for the implementation of the city’s Human Dignity program, promotion of cultural awareness, hate crime education and administration of the city’s Hate Crime Response Team. She will also serve as the lead staff person to the city’s Youth and Gang Violence Prevention Task Force.
“Ms. Morgan is well qualified for the position. Based on her experience in handling programs relating to bias, conflict resolution and cultural sensitivity, we believe that Ms. Morgan will be a tremendous asset to the city and the Long Beach community,” said Deputy City Manager Reginald Harrison.
The Human Dignity Program has partnered with key organizations in the city, such as the National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ) of Southern California, in addressing and playing a crucial role in a number of issues in the city, including the Halloween incident last fall.
“Since its inception, the Human Dignity Program has been, and continues to be, a source of pride and a high priority of the mayor, Council and city management,” said Anitra Dempsey, the former Human Dignity officer who is now the executive director the Citizens Police Complaint Commission. “We believe this position is crucial to the continued success of our great city.”
“The city of Long Beach has been recognized as the most diverse city in the country, and this is one of our greatest strengths,” Morgan said. “This position is vital to the continued success of our great city.
Beginning in 2001, Morgan delivered human relations programs in Long Beach as the program specialist for the NCCJ of Southern California. She was first involved with NCCJ as a youth in 1993 in Florida where she coordinated the Citizen’s Forum for Racial and Cultural Harmony.
As project director for the Anti-Defamation League A World of Difference® Institute, Morgan oversaw and delivered anti-bias, anti-bullying and hate crimes education trainings for preschool through college level teachers, family members, administrators, community members and students in Southern and coastal California.
In addition, she has completed humanitarian work in Washington, D.C., and has traveled the country as a motivational speaker to share with others the value of pursuing positive change within themselves and their communities.
In 2000, she served as a rotary foundation cultural ambassadorial scholar of good will in Merida, Venezuela, where she studied at VEN-U.S.A. and founded a multicultural service group. She has served on the Los Angeles Unified School District Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Advisory Committee.
Morgan has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of North Florida, where she graduated cum laude with interdisciplinary honors. Her vision is to promote peace, understanding and dignity through education, creativity, and service. She is a resident of Long Beach.
In recognition of the need to strengthen efforts to promote harmony between all the different groups that make up the fabric of Long Beach, the Human Dignity Program was established in 2000, with the following policy statement:
“The city of Long Beach believes that everyone should be treated with courtesy and respect, regardless of their racial background, their nation of origin, the religion they practice, their sexual orientation, gender or disability status. It is the right of all residents to pursue their daily lives with the knowledge that they will not be threatened with violence or physical harm.”
Original Source: https://sigtrib.com/lb-names-melissa-morgan-new-human-dignity-officer/
