Human Rights Commission Working Session - January 29, 2026
A working session meeting of the Human Rights Commission of the City of Fargo, North Dakota, was held in the Red River Room at City Hall at 12:00 p.m., Thursday, January 29, 2026.
The Human Rights Commissioners present or absent were as follows:
Present: Sekou Sirleaf, Cody Severson, Carolyn Becraft, Xavier Welty.
Absent: Nancy Boyle, Aaron Kawreh, Tambah Saah, Ritchell Aboah, Kristin Nelson.
Other attendees: Barry Nelson, Christopher Coen, Barnabas Gbeintor, Brenda Derrig, Assistant City Administrator, Alyssa Farrell Czapinski, Assistant City Attorney, John Strand, City Commissioner.
Item 1. Welcome and introductions.
Items 2. Community Based Board Structure Discussion:
o Sekou said the meeting is to discuss a draft framework for the restructuring of the HRC. The central point of the meeting was whether the HRC should remain a City-chartered entity or become a fully independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
o The Dual Structure Proposal: The draft suggested a Community Stakeholder Assembly to advise the HRC. Legal counsel clarified that if the City maintains oversight (appointing members or setting agendas), the CSA would be considered a subcommittee subject to open meeting laws. However, if the HRC moves to an independent nonprofit model, these requirements would not apply.
o Independence vs. City Connection: Commissioner Strand predicted that a majority of the City Commission likely wants the HRC to be completely independent, similar to the recent trajectory of the Arts and Culture and Native American Commissions. He argued that independence allows the group to be unfettered by government bureaucracy.
o Cody and others expressed strong concerns about divorcing from the City. They argued that complete independence might lead to the City silencing community voices, as the City would no longer have a legal or moral obligation to listen to an outside group's advice.
o Moral and Social Context: Members highlighted that Fargo serves as a cultural hub for refugees and immigrants. They argued that disbanding or distancing the HRC during a time of social turmoil is unconscionable and immoral, especially following the recent removal of DEI funding and MLK Day support.
o Budget and Resources: The board noted that the HRC’s cost to the City is negligible (approximately 0.001% of the budget), though City staff noted that the cost is primarily in administrative time and energy rather than a direct line item.
o Individual Lobbying: Commissioner Strand advised the HRC leaders to meet individually with the Mayor and other City Commissioners immediately. He noted that they would need a majority vote to survive past the current two-month restructuring window.
o The MOU Concept: There was a brief mention of looking at the Family & Youth Institute (FYI) model - a hybrid where an independent body maintains a formal Memorandum of Understanding and a liaison with the City.
o The meeting ended with a call for the community and board to prove that this establishment is a moral necessity for the City. The Chair emphasized that if the City forces total independence, the HRC could incorporate as a private model within weeks, but the preference remains a collaborative partnership to ensure their voice still carries weight in City leadership.
Adjourn: The meeting was adjourned.