William D. Wharton, executive director of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Human Rights Commission, will lead an open forum on affirmative action at Berea College on Tuesday, Feb. 29, at 7 p.m. in Baird Lounge of the Alumni Building. Black Summit: "Affirmative Action," sponsored by the College's Black Cultural Center, is a Black History Month event. The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Human Rights Commission (LFUC-HRC) conducts approximately 300 discrimination investigations a year in the areas of employment, housing and public accommodation. Historically, employment makes up 75-80 percent of the investigative caseload while an approximately equal number of housing and public accommodation complaints make up the balance.

In addition to its investigative function, the Commission has a full-time Community Relations program that provides education and outreach services to the Lexington-Fayette County area. Popular programs include presentations on fair housing, fair lending, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), sexual harassment, how to respond to a complaint of discrimination, avoiding liability and cultural diversity.

Wharton, as executive director of the LFUC-HRC-- a position he has held since 1991, manages the Commission's executive offices and directs a staff of nine full-time employees. Previously, he was employed as a legislative analyst with Kentucky's Legislative Research Commission. He also has been a public defender and served in private legal practice.

A Trigg County native, Wharton is a graduate of Western Kentucky University and the University of Kentucky College of Law.

Admission to the forum is free and open to the public.