Defending Your Rights

By Tabitha Ervin
Of Fort Wayne Ink Spot

Recently, I was able to connect with Nikki Quintana, the executive director of the Fort Wayne Metropolitan Human Relations Commission, the city’s civil rights agency.

A Fort Wayne native with a law degree from Indiana University’s Robert H. McKinney School of Law, Nikki was named executive director in August 2017. It was a natural progression, Nikki started as an investigator with the commission in 2012 and was promoted to staff attorney in 2014 before accepting her role as the executive director. While at Metro, Nikki has played an integral role in reducing case age, improving the investigative process, and promoting the agency through outreach and education for the citizens and businesses of Fort Wayne.

Nikki is also a member of the City’s Commission on Police Reform and Racial Justice, which was formed after downtown demonstrations ended with confrontations between police and protestors on May 29-30.

Tabitha: So, tell us about Metro.

Nikki: The Fort Wayne Metropolitan Human Relations Commission better known as “Metro” is the local civil rights agency that enforces civil rights laws in Fort Wayne. We specifically investigate discrimination complaints in employment, housing, education and public accommodation.

We’ve served Fort Wayne for over 50 years. There are other cities across the nation that have a local civil rights agency like ours. Our citizens are very fortunate to have this resource in the community. We contract with the federal government to enforce federal equal employment opportunity laws (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) and federal fair housing laws (Housing and Urban Development).

Annually we draft over 300 charges.

Tabitha: Give me some examples of why people would call you?

Nikki: Approximately 70% of the cases that come to us are about employment. A few examples of employment discrimination are as follows:

• I feel I was wrongfully terminated because of my race.
• My pay is lower because I am a female.
• I feel like I’m being sexually harassed at work.

Someone can file a discrimination complaint based on their race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion, age, color, national origin, familial status, and retaliation.

Tabitha: And once you receive the complaint, what are the next steps?

Nikki: Once we receive the complaint, we start by offering mediation to both parties. If that is not successful, we would begin an investigation. After an investigation, the commission makes a finding based on the evidence uncovered. Throughout the process, Metro is a neutral fact finder.

Tabitha: What else does the organization do?

Nikki: We are also a resource to employers and housing providers by offering a variety of training such as Anti-Harassment, Diversity, Workplace Civility, and Fair Housing. Metro tailors our training to meet the needs of the organizations requesting it.

Also, to note, our services are all free and we do provide interpreters.

Tabitha: What is the make-up of your organization?

Nikki: We have six investigators, two senior Investigators, a staff attorney, two administrative assistants and myself.

Our commission is made up of seven commissioners; four are appointed by the mayor and three are appointed by the city council.

Tabitha: Lastly how do people get in touch with the agency?

Nikki: They can call us (260-427-1146), walk-in to our office (2310 Parnell Avenue) or go to our website (fortwaynemetro.org) and submit an online inquiry. You can also follow us on Facebook under the handle FWMetro.