June 2010

Missouri Human Rights Commission Announces Bootheel Student Winners of Poster, Journalism Contests

(l-r: MCHR Executive Director Alisa Warren; Rep. Billy Pat Wright, Dist. 159; Brenda Robinson-Echols,
Lincoln University Extension; and Makeisha Taylor, First Place Poster, Grades 4-6)

Twelve Missouri youths were named winners in a poster and journalism contest sponsored by the Missouri Commission on Human Rights (MCHR). More than 100 students in Butler, Cape Girardeau, Dunklin, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Scott, and Stoddard counties submitted either a poster or essay expressing the theme, “Live the Dream: Fair Housing.” The students received cash prizes in the amounts of $250 (first place), $125 (second place), and $50 (third place). The winners were:

Poster, Grades 1-3:
First Place: Nicholas Williams (Charleston, MO)
Second Place: Cory Pride II (Sikeston, MO)
Third Place: Malik Quinn (Charleston, MO)

Poster, Grades 4-6:
First Place: Makeisha Taylor (Portageville, MO)
Second Place: Isaiah Williams (Charleston, MO)
Third Place: Cheyenne Randle (Charleston, MO)

Poster, Grades 7-12:
First Place: Tyshay Williams (Charleston, MO)
Second Place: Keisha Walker (Sikeston, MO)
Third Place: Myriah Williams (Charleston, MO)

Essay, Grades 7-12:
First Place: Mikaela Blissett (Oran, MO)
Second Place: Charde’ Bryant (Oran, MO)
Third Place: Johniqua Fort (Oran, MO)

The student contests mark the launch of the MCHR’s new public awareness campaign, the Show-Me Fair Housing Awareness Project , which aims to educate the 150,000 citizens and housing industry professionals in Missouri’s six Bootheel counties about their rights and obligations under fair housing laws. The contests and awareness campaign are funded by an Education and Outreach Initiative grant awarded to the MCHR by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. To view photos of all the winners, visit http://www.labor.mo.gov/mohumanrights/fair_housing_project.asp#poster.

The MCHR is an independent commission housed in the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. It is responsible for enforcing the Missouri Human Rights Act which prohibits discrimination in employment, housing, and places of public accommodation because of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex (including sexual harassment and pregnancy), disability and age (in employment only), and familial status (in housing only).

For more information about your rights, the MCHR complaint process, or free public informational sessions, visit www.labor.mo.gov/MOHumanRights or call 573-751-3325.