Liz Bradbury Trains Allentown Human Relations Commission

Education on Oversight and Enforcement of Antidiscrimination Complaints

On February 5, 2026, the Allentown Human Relations Commission (HRC) convened at Allentown City Hall for a focused training session led by Liz Bradbury, Executive Director of Keystone Equality and a statewide expert on civil rights enforcement. The training centered on the Commission’s responsibilities under Allentown’s antidiscrimination ordinance and the handling of discrimination complaints.

Bradbury provided commissioners with the ordinance’s enforcement framework, beginning with the Commission’s role as the first point of contact for residents experiencing discrimination. She outlined best practices for receiving and documenting complaints, ensuring accessibility, and maintaining neutrality during intake. The commissioners reviewed how to determine jurisdiction, including whether a complaint falls within the ordinance’s protected classes, covered areas, and geographic scope.

Liz explained the role the Commission in establishing a few investigators to begin the process with a screening to ensure that the complaint is a prima facie case. Bradbury guided members through the steps of conducting a fair investigation, gathering statements, requesting documentation, evaluating evidence, and maintaining confidentiality throughout the process. She also discussed timelines, procedural safeguards, and the importance of consistent application of the ordinance.

The session concluded with a discussion of the Commission’s role in making determinations, issuing findings, and facilitating remedies. Bradbury emphasized that the HRC’s decisions carry real weight for residents and businesses, and that clear, well‑reasoned determinations strengthen both public trust and the effectiveness of the ordinance.

Allentown has long been a leader in local civil rights protections, and this training reaffirmed the city’s commitment to maintaining a strong, knowledgeable, and responsive Human Relations Commission. Bradbury’s guidance equipped Commissioners with the tools they need to carry out their enforcement duties with confidence, fairness, and fidelity to the law.