EEOC TO LAUNCH E-RACE INITIATIVE AT COMMISSION MEETING WEDNESDAY

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) will  unveil a national initiative called E-RACE, Eradicating Racism and Colorism  from Employment, at its next public meeting on Wednesday, February 28, from  9 a.m. to 12 p.m. (Eastern Time), at agency headquarters, 1801 L Street, N.W.  (Ninth Floor, Commission Meeting Room).

  Invited experts will address race and color discrimination in the 21st  century workplace from a diverse range of perspectives. Additionally,  EEOC regional attorneys from Chicago,  Dallas, Los Angeles and San Francisco will make  presentations along with charging parties from recent cases. A media  availability will be held at the conclusion of the meeting at approximately 12 p.m.

  Under the E-RACE Initiative, the EEOC will utilize administrative and  litigation procedures to combat and correct employment practices that  discriminate against individuals and classes based on race and color; enhance  public awareness of the persistence of race and color discrimination in  employment through education, training, and outreach; and partner with  stakeholders and employer groups to implement best practices that foster  inclusiveness and diversity.

  Race discrimination is the most frequent type of charge filing with  the EEOC, a historical trend dating to the agency’s opening in 1965. In  fiscal year 2006, more than 27,000 charges of race discrimination were filed  with EEOC offices nationwide, accounting for 36 percent of the agency’s private  sector caseload.

The EEOC enforces federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination,  including Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act which protects individuals on  the bases of race and color (as well as other bases). Specific information on  race and color discrimination can be found on the EEOC’s web site at http://www.eeoc.gov/types/race.html.  Additional information about the EEOC is available online at  www.eeoc.gov.

NOTE TO MEDIA: News organizations planning to attend the meeting  should RSVP to david.grinberg@eeoc.gov in order to reserve seating, which may be limited. Any matter not discussed or concluded  may be carried over to a later meeting. The Commission agenda is subject  to revision. You may call (202) 663-7100 (voice) or (202) 663-4074 (TTY)  on the day of the Commission Meeting to confirm the above schedule.