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Sioux Falls Adds Human Rights Role

Sioux Falls has a new position in the city attorney’s office. It’s the Human Rights Community Coordinator. City leaders say the role is important in a city with expanding diversity. 

The first ever Human Rights Community Coordinator for the City of Sioux Falls is Vandhana Baireddy, and she’s uniquely qualified for a job that includes outreach to members of multiple ethnicities and communities.

"I do speak five different languages, and I am initially from India, and I have seen people go through difficult times when they do come to the great country of America and, you know, making them feel welcome and telling them that I was different but this amazing country made me who I am today," Baireddy says.

Baireddy says that’s part of the goal in her new position: establishing relationships and connecting people who come from around the world to live in Sioux Falls with programs - and investigating discrimination. Baireddy says she wants people to know they are part of the community.

"I have three children who were all born here and creating a larger family with this amazing country and feeling one, and I have done that myself and I would like others to do it too and show them the way of doing it," Baireddy says.

Baireddy plans to target outreach to the diverse, underserved and vulnerable populations in the city. She started her job on March 2nd.

You can hear more from Sioux Falls’ new Human Rights Community Coordinator on Dakota Midday. Join us Wednesdayat noon central, 11 a.m. mountain.

Kealey Bultena grew up in South Dakota, where her grandparents took advantage of the state’s agriculture at nap time, tricking her into car rides to “go see cows.” Rarely did she stay awake long enough to see the livestock, but now she writes stories about the animals – and the legislature and education and much more. Kealey worked in television for four years while attending the University of South Dakota. She started interning with South Dakota Public Broadcasting in September 2010 and accepted a position with television in 2011. Now Kealey is the radio news producer stationed in Sioux Falls. As a multi-media journalist, Kealey prides herself on the diversity of the stories she tells and the impact her work has on people across the state. Kealey is always searching for new ideas. Let her know of a great story! Find her on Facebook and twitter (@KealeySDPB).