From its inception in 1781, The City of Los Angeles has been a magnet, which attracts people, who bring with them their cultures, ethical standards and values, languages and religious beliefs and traditions.

During the last four decades, our city has changed dramatically, as a result of thousands and thousands of individuals who have come to Southern California from all over the world to help build a modern authentic international city. Today, more than 40% of all Angelenos are foreign born.

The mandate of the Human Relations Commission is to give evidence that we are all members of a mosaic-like society. It is our purpose to highlight the fact that this community's extraordinary diversity is to be celebrated, because pluralism enables all of us to maintain our own identification while we strive together - as a cohesive unit - to reach those many remarkable goals, which we have set for ourselves.