{"id":12046,"date":"2024-05-09T14:08:08","date_gmt":"2024-05-09T14:08:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/?p=12046"},"modified":"2024-05-09T14:08:08","modified_gmt":"2024-05-09T14:08:08","slug":"the-toledo-human-relations-commissions-annual-human-library","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/index.php\/2024\/05\/09\/the-toledo-human-relations-commissions-annual-human-library\/","title":{"rendered":"The Toledo Human Relations Commission\u2019s Annual Human Library"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Above (L-R): Erin Baker, Chair of the Human Relations Commission and Caryn Maloney Commissioner of the Human Relations Commission
Seated (L-R): Nina Corder, First Vice Chair of the Human Relations Commission and Theresa Alvarado, Chair of Youth Empowerment and Engagement<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

By Dawn Scotland<\/strong><\/em>
\nThe Truth Reporter<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The Toledo Human Relations Commission hosted their annual Human Library at The Main Toledo Library Branch Saturday April 27, 2024.The event featured 22 human books that participants could \u2018check out\u2019 for 15-minute conversations.<\/p>\n

The event aims to remove barriers that divide people by having open dialogue. First started in 2000, the idea was brought to the Human Relations Commission from Owens Community College. Since its inception the event has grown every year to include even more \u2018books\u2019 and \u2018readers\u2019.<\/p>\n

Each participant this year was voted on by the community. The \u2018human books\u2019 created a title for their life stories as well as physical table displays. Participants had three hours to connect at the event and listen to an address given by Keynote speaker Erin Baker, Chair of the Human Relations Commission.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe whole idea is that [the event] facilitates conversations between people who you might not normally come in contact with\u2026.[and] to be introduced to ideas, concepts [and] lifestyles that might not be ones that may be in your immediate circle. It\u2019s all about building bridges through conversation to break down barriers and to overcome prejudice and biases which is kind of core to what the Human Relations Commission is all about,\u201d stated Baker.<\/p>\n

2024 Human Books Included:<\/p>\n