Michelle Rydz has joined the Human Family and High Plains Fair Housing Center as a panelist for the upcoming Fair Housing Act Film & Panel Discussions taking place in Bismarck, Fargo and Grand Forks.

Michelle is the Founder and Executive Director at High Plains Fair Housing Center, and one of the founding members of North Dakota United Against Hate. Michelle studied fair housing law, testing practices, and the complaint process at the John Marshall Fair Housing Legal Support Center in Chicago and studied with the National Fair Housing Alliance. She advocates for victims of housing discrimination in North Dakota. Michelle began her career as a community organizer in Chicago and later worked with the National Democratic Institute on developing advocacy projects in Romania after the fall of communism.

On April 11, 1968, seven days after the assassination of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., President Lyndon Johnson signed into law Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, commonly known as the Fair Housing Act.

The Human Family has partnered with the High Plains Fair Housing Center, the Greater Grand Forks Apartment Association and the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Fair Housing Act.

Screenings of the short films “Seven Days”, “Matter of Place” and portions of “Brick By Brick” will be followed by a panel discussion that will highlight the importance of fair housing, and it’s impact in North Dakota.

Screenings and discussions have been scheduled throughout North Dakota: In Bismarck on April 9 from 6-8 p.m. at the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum; In Grand Forks on April 11 from 6-8 p.m. at the Empire Arts Center; and in Fargo on Thursday, April 12 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at The Fargo Theatre. An additional screening is currently being scheduled for Minot.

All events are free and open to the public. ADA accommodations are available by contacting ADA@Human-Family.org.

Bismarck Fair Housing Act Film & Panel Discussion
Fargo Fair Housing Act Film & Panel Discussion
Grand Forks Fair Housing Act Film & Panel Discussion

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#FHAct50