Citizens' Unity Commission

Citizens’ unity commission December 10, 2015 6:00pm Community Development Conference Room, 5th floor, City Hall Commissioners: Mary Wallace, Anne Andrews, Luretta Ray, Mei Stukes, Ruthann Kellum, Jodie James, Sharmane Baynard, Milton McDonald, Carter Phillips, Ray Smith, Deena Franklin & Andrea Bynum Guest: Xavier Williams, Hampton High School student, Freshman Class President, Staff: Steve Bond, Assistant City Manager & Wanda Ferrell Call to Order - Mary 6:07 Approval of October Minutes - Jeff Stern is resigning not retiring. Mary Wallace called for a motion to approve the minutes with the change, motion was second. Mary called for a vote, all approved. Introductions Department update by Steve Bond, Assistant City Manager  Position out for 2nd round nationally for applicants. Mary Bunting will select the panel and will make sure the CUC is represented. Steve will oversee staff until a new Director is selected. Any questions or concerns should be directed to him. Hoping to have someone in place as soon as possible.  All commissioners will get the work team lists and the calendar of events. Work groups should be in January even though CUC does not meet. Committee Reports  Creative Arts - Jodie  Met on October 29th at Crowne with over 100 agencies represented. Had a Q & A in regards to an Art Consortium. The have 2 major projects for the year based on cards received from the agencies. Having a youth program with middle schools student celebrating the arts. Want to be involved in the City’s vision for Art district.  Youth Outreach - Sharmane  CUC Youth Advisory/YAG Minutes Handout (Attached)  2016 Unity Awards  June 9, 2016, American Theatre, time TBD  Send link to Enrique’s nomination for to all commissioners   Movie & Mic  Report under Black History Month activities  Month of Peace April 2016  CUC Youth Advisory/YAG Minutes Handout (Attached)  Viewing of Racial taboo at HU  Community Partnerships  No report  2016 International Children's Festival  Will report in February  CUC Youth Advisory/YAG Minutes Handout (Attached)  Update in February  Recruitment for Youth Advisory Group  CUC Youth Advisory/YAG Minutes Handout (Attached) Black History Month activities  February 13th, “Deep River: The Marian Anderson Journey”, American Theatre 2:30pm, $10  February 25th - “Girls in the Band”, American Theatre, 7:30 pm, $8  Facilitator for the movie & mic? WHRO - Community Conversations on Race  November 19th - WHRO Studios - 5200 Hampton Blvd, Norfolk, Topic: “Privilege, Power and Difference” o Sharmane Baynard watched online and thought the conversations were well and felt like if people are given a platform they will talk about the issues.  February 4, 2016 - Fort Monroe Theater - Topic: “Race and Politics” o Email Race flyer to everyone  April 5, 2016 - Fort Monroe Theater - Topic: “Race and Religion” o Email Race flyer to everyone New Business  Having someone from Marketing coming to talk to us  Budget talks about what can be spent  2016 Holidays Around The World  CUC is giving up Holiday Cards to be sent to Creative Arts partners Announcements  Support Santa’s Attic  Support the History’s Museum weekend holiday event  History Museum is looking for volunteers  NASA will have rep from DC here on Feb 11 to talk EEOC as keynote speaker for Black History Month - More information soon   Dance and music recital at Sims on the 13th at 5:00  Read a poem about the strength of boards Adjourn 7:47 Next Meeting will be February 11, 2016 @ 6:00pm  City of Hampton Citizens Unity Commission Date | time 11/17/2015 5:30 PM | Meeting called to order by Sharmane Baynard In Attendance Sharmane Baynard, CUC Commissioner/Youth Advisor – Facilitator/Chair Mei Stukes, CUC Commissioner/Youth Advisor Milton McDonald, CUC Commissioner/Youth Advisor Aaliyah Copeland, HU, YAG College Student Liaison Davon Moore, HU, YAG College Student Liaison Ciara Lewis, PHS YAG Joey Santos, BHS YAG Erin Malinowski, KHS YAG (NEW) Ajira Baynard, PHS YAG (NEW) Xavier Williams, HHS YAG (NEW) Ashleigh Stukes, KHS YAG (NEW) Ms. Pollitan, Teacher at BHS, YAG Advisor Approval of Minutes (Minutes were not captured from previous meeting.) Advisory Committee There are a number of youth advisor member openings. Thank you to Joey for bringing Erin and Ms. Pollitan, and thank you to Ciara for enlisting Xavier. Ajira attended as Sharmane’s guest and Ashleigh attended courtesy of Mei. We discussed possible recruitment of high school students that attended Project Inclusion. Committee Reports Committee reports  College/University – Aaliyah and Davon presented a Proposal and Plan to reach out to students at Thomas Nelson Community College to partner with Hampton University students; to hold a panel discussion on diversity. Utilize this opportunity to recruit other students to sign up and be a part of a college level task force that will hold seminars and activities with students K-12 within Hampton City Schools. Timeframe to coincide with peace Month, April 2016.   Youth Summit – Discussed arrangements for a one to two day seminar to be held during school hours that will allow students to be bused to the summit and participate is assorted activities (TBD).  Partner with Virginia Center for Inclusive Societies to host and hold one day diversity and inclusion workshops  Discussed diversity and inclusion summer program called Connections that is offered through HCS but has little participation.  Discussed CUC/YAG holding and hosting one day workshops on diversity and inclusion  Social Media – Ashleigh and Joey will be the YAG social media coordinators. Need permission from the City to establish a page on the website and use the CUC/YAG as foundation. Social media to be updated with events, offer ways to join, engage the City’s youth and let the youth know that they are included.  Discussed viewing the movie on Racial Taboo to be hosted by Aaliyah and Davon at HU during Peace Month, April 2016. Need to coordinate with Jodie to get details.  Discussed participating online or in person for WHRO’s discussion on “Race: Privilege, Power, and Difference” held 11/19/2015 in Norfolk. Announcements Please welcome new YAG members Ashleigh, Erin, Ajira and Xavier!! Next Meeting TBD