Sonoma County Human Rights Summit

The first-ever Sonoma County Human Rights Summit marks a historic moment for Sonoma County—bringing together community members, advocates, legal experts, cultural leaders, youth leaders, and service providers for a full day dedicated to advancing human rights through education, access, and collective action. This inaugural Summit is intentionally designed as a visible, welcoming, and community-centered space where human rights move beyond theory and into lived experience. Through guest speakers, immigration and civil rights legal clinics, cultural performances, a Youth & Human Rights Panel, and a partner resource expo, the Summit connects people directly with information, services, and one another.

Human rights challenges touch every part of community life—from immigration and housing to education, public safety, and economic opportunity. While the Commission works year-round to advise, educate, and advocate on these issues, its work is often not widely visible to the public.The Summit creates a public-facing platform that: • Elevates awareness of human rights as local, practical, and actionable • Builds trust and transparency between the community and civic institutions • Centers dignity, inclusion, and lived experience • Strengthens collaboration across organizations and sectors • Amplifies youth leadership and intergenerational dialogue

Members: Commissioners Sohn, Thayer, and Sapper.