HUD Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Assistant Secretary John Trasviña Announces New Collegiate Partnership During Nashville MLK Day Festivities

During the MLK Day March, TSU President Dr. Melvin Johnson and Assistant Secretary Trasviña join students of the TSU Court

During a full day of MLK holiday activities at Tennessee State University on Monday, HUD Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Assistant Secretary John Trasviña announced a new, one-of-a-kind partnership with HUD's Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Office and Tennessee State University in Nashville. During a Convocation held with local, state and federal dignitaries that focused on the 50th Anniversary of the Nashville's sit-in protests and the significance of those events towards civil rights, he and others spoke to an estimated 10,000 attendees on the 18th.

At a press conference following the convocation Trasviña joined TSU President, Dr. Melvin N. Johnson to sign a proclamation marking the official start of the National Fair Housing Collegiate Partnership Campaign - the only one of its kind in the nation. The new partnership includes three major goals:

• Educate students about the Fair Housing Act and their rights under the law
• Develop service-learning opportunities with fair housing groups
• Encourage students to consider public service as a career

"To honor Dr. King, we will train the next generation of leaders and activists in fair housing," said Trasviña. "The program will teach students about the Fair Housing Act; implement civil rights curricula, and seek student volunteers. We're very interested in working with students that are starting to enter the housing market," he said. "New renters are leaving dorms, and they need to know these things in particular."

Dr. Melvin Johnson (left) and HUD FHEO Assistant Secretary John Trasviña (right) jointly announce the nation's first National Fair Housing Collegiate Partnership Campaign

Later, Trasviña and Nashville Office Director, William Dirl, joined with officials, students and the public to march through downtown Nashville singing the traditional songs of the civil rights movement. Dr. Johnson said he was "extremely honored that TSU was chosen to be the first college or university to kick off this campaign. This partnership will continue to ensure that all students are treated fairly and equally under the law."

To learn more about fair housing go to HUD's Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Office on HUD's website.

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