Almost every year since 2005, the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights has been hosting a statewide networking summit to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15-October 15). The event is an opportunity to foster mutual understanding and increase communication and collaboration between the federal, state, local government, and educational institutions and the immigrant and refugee community.

As part of the Summit, a panel of professionals from several institutions spoke on housing, employment, education, business, and other topics.  Joining the Summit this year to provide information on the Department’s programs and resources were two members of HUD’s senior leadership team— Southeast Deputy Regional Administrator, Tiffany Cobb and HUD Field Policy and Management Senior Advisor, Cindy Nava to represent the Department at this impactful 2023 Kentucky event held in Shelbyville.

During the presentation, Ms. Cobb reiterated HUD’s commitment to the nation and Kentucky, “Every person in the United Stated is protected by the Fair Housing Act and their immigration status does not affect their federal fair housing rights or responsibilities.” She also shared, “We are staying focused and intentional about helping vulnerable populations and any person who may be experiencing housing discrimination.”

Next Cindy Nava addressed the crowd, speaking on the importance of collective action and the impact one can make serving in their community. She also shared insight into her childhood as an immigrant and the personal connection that she felt to the Summit.  The message was powerful as attendees learned that Ms. Nava was part of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and was the first from that program to ever be politically appointed. She spoke firsthand of the obstacles she and her parents have endured since coming to the United States. Ms. Nava quoted Chief Seattle from 1954, “Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one web within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect.”