Citizens' Unity Commission

Citizens’ Unity Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, February 21, 2019 ~ 6:00pm-8:00pm Community Development Conference Room, 5th Floor, City Hall, Hampton, VA Attendance:, Carter Phillips (Chair), Darius Swift, Devinn Smart, Jennifer Evans, Kristi Jackson, Luretta Ray, Mary Wallace (Vice Chair), Milton McDonald, Imara Gabe Diaz, Ray Smith, Tamika Lett, Trevor Hutson, Willie C. Anderson, Ellen Shackelford (Community Liaison), Absent: Alice Capehart, Anne Andrews, Anthony Tyrone George, Kercelia Woodruff, Mei Stukes, Michael Harper, Ray Smith, Deena Franklin (Community Liaison), Steven D. Bond (Assistant City Manager), Burley Gardner(Community Liaison), Staff: Latiesha Handie (Executive Director) Call to Order– Carter Phillips, Chairperson, 6:06 pm Roll Call – Latiesha Handie Action Items Item 1: Review and Approval of Meeting Minutes from 1-10-19  Commissioner Kristi Jackson made a motion to approve the minutes; Motion seconded by Commissioner Devinn Smart. Minutes approved by the vote of commissioners. New Business Item 1: Program Coordinator position update  Latiesha D. Handie, Executive Director, advised the commission that the position advertisement returned 29 applicants and interviews would take please during the second week of March.  Based on the outcome of the interview process it is desired to have a qualified candidate secure the position by April 1st. New Business Item 2: Program evaluation Updates  CUC Executive Director, Latiesha Handie provided an update on all upcoming CUC programs and activities. 1  During the meeting, Latiesha provided the January Monthly report for circulation and advised that she would have December 2018's statement during the next meeting.  Noted Hampton Diversity College updates HDC Level I classes that began on January 17 concluded on February 7, 2019, with 16 graduates. The next rotation of HDC will be Level II in March.  Noted LGBTQ Awareness upcoming events: On Saturday, March 30, 2019, the LGBTQ Awareness committee will host a youth-focused conversation entitled: Living Life & Losing Labels to dispel myths and address misunderstandings about teenage gender identity and sexual orientation. Currently, the committee is meeting monthly with community partners to help plan the event.  Noted Movie Talks event report out: On February 11, 2019, the Movie Talks Sub- Committee showed the movie Red Tails with 30 participants and two new partnerships to include the Hampton History Museum and Air Power Park. During the event, Harold Sanderson, Visitor Information Specialist, for Parks & Rec. /Air Power Park, shared details about the Red Tails exhibit at the Hampton History Museum and available tours at Air Power Park.  Noted One City One Book Launch: The Hampton Public Library and the One City One Book Sub-committee met on January 24, 2019, to discuss partnering on NEA’s Big Read in 2019. The book selection is the Citizen by Claudia Rankine, and CUC committee members agreed to travel to all four library branches to join the conversation. The first conversation will take place on Monday, February 25, 2019.  Noted Unity through Art events: On March 2, 2019, the Unity through Art Sub- Committee will host an event entitled: Gimmie a Beat- The Universal Language of the Drums in partnership with Fort Monroe Community Center who will perform an afternoon Tea with Shirley Chisolm. Latiesha Handie recommended that instead of the CUC March Meeting which is also the first day of Hampton Diversity College LI, commissioners plan to attend to this event that received a mention in the 2019 Commemorative activities. Commissioner Milton McDonald made a motion to approve the request to replace the March 14th meeting with the attendance of The Universal Language of the Drum event on March 2nd, and was 2nd by Commissioner Imara Gabe Diaz. Motion approved by the vote of commissioners.  Noted International Children’s Fest Opportunity: The Citizens’ Unity Commission received a unique opportunity to sponsor this year’s mainstage performer, Arthur Lopez of Drum your Dream who will conduct drum demonstrations throughout the event. The commission has been asked to pay $1000.00 for his service and in return will receive an honorable mention in the associated programming. Also, the commission requested that Latiesha Handie ask if a vendor table can be included with an opportunity to meet and announce Mr. Lopez during the day of events. Pending the response of Parks & Recreation, the commission will use bags ordered from last year and exhaust the items accumulated from last year’s marketing 2  material. Commissioners would like to use the civility tree and the large coloring tray during the event. The date of this year's ICF is April 20, 2019, from 10 am – 5 pm. Item 3: Guiding committee work task sheet  Commissioners received a list of program objectives to assist in their planning efforts during their committee work breakouts. The task sheet presents logistical questions and checklist for upcoming events, programs, and activities. Item 4: Committee Work  Committee members participated in two rotations of planning team meetings. Item5: Committee Reports Movie Talks: Commissioner Luretta Ray provided the report; sub-committee members came up with the FY2020 movie focus topics to engage both youth and adult participants. The committee also agreed on participating with Pride on the Peninsula for the June Movie Talks. o CUC has been asked to host a facilitated discussion following a movie screening on an LGBTQ related film during the 5th Annual Pride on the Peninsula. This event will be held on June 19, 2019, at the Virginia Air & Space Center Library. The committee has been asked to assist with the day of events as greeters, to perform the welcome and close and to assist with the movie selection. The movie suggested by the committee is "the Trans list." o The committee worked on the FY2020 calendar and decided on the following months and topics:  August- Hispanic Heritage (National Hispanic Heritage Month – September)  October- Bullying Awareness (National Bullying Prevention Month)  December – Human Trafficking ( National Human Trafficking Awareness Day – January 11)  February – Civil Rights (Black History Month)  May/June – LGBTQ Awareness – ( June Pride Month) o The committee will contact Rita to confirm available dates and times for next year’s events. Unity through Art: Commissioner Jennifer Evans provided the report; sub-committee members discussed logistical plans for the upcoming event. o The committee will meet at Fort Monroe Community Center, Saturday, March 2nd at 2 pm for set up and the performers are scheduled to arrive at the same time. Commissioners Jennifer Evans and Tyrone George will provide the day of coordination support, and Commissioner Imara G. Diaz 3  will act as the Master of Ceremony. The committee requested Latiesha Handie to perform the opening and closing remarks. LGBTQ: The LGBTQ Committee did not meet during this meeting. o The committee will continue to plan the March 30th youth event and will partner with the Movie Talks committee to provide support for the June Pride on the Peninsula event. Unity Awards: Commissioner Milton McDonald provided the report; on the absence of the committee lead, Commissioner Mary Wallace, Milton was unable to give a full report out. Hampton Diversity College: Commissioner Jennifer Evans provided the report; sub- committee members discussed attendance opportunities to upcoming classes to offer facilitation support and to encourage participants to join the commission. o During the next Level II course Commissioners, Jennifer Evans stated that she would be able to attend all dates and Commissioners, Kristi Jackson, Milton McDonald and Mei Stukes indicated their availability to attend the last session on April 18th. Youth Advisory Group: The Youth Advisory Group did not meet during this meeting. o The youth are planning to participate in the commemorative events and Cert Training in May. 1 City 1 Book: Commissioner Jennifer Evans provided the report; in the absence of Commissioner Alice Capehart. Present sub-committee members communicated their availability to attend the launch event for the partnered book discussions. o Number of planned conversations: 4 (goal 4)  February 25, 2019, 6 pm Main Library  March 7, 2019, 7 pm Willow Oaks Library  March 20, 2019, 1:30 pm Phoebus Library  March 23, 2019, Downing-Gross Block Party 5:00 pm o The committee discussed reach out to the jail to inquire about the process of supporting a reading program for those who are incarcerated. Commissioner Darius Swift will send an email to the point of contact at the jail to initiate the opportunity. o The committee requested that Latiesha Handie provide the summer reading list of books to consider for their next discussion opportunity. Hot Button Topic: Commissioner Milton McDonald provided the report; the sub- committee members stated that they would like to change the direction of the first conversation to focus on Race Relations in Virginia from past to present. o This discussion will be a dialogue that draws participants from as many parts of the community as possible to exchange information face-to-face, and to clarify viewpoints of race relation in our community. 4  o The event is to take place sometime in May and panelist have not been determined as of yet. “Go-Backs”: None Announcements o Participation in March 2, 2019, Gimmie a Beat- the Universal Language of the Drums event will take the place of the March 14, 2019, CUC regular scheduled monthly meeting. Next Meeting Date and Time: Thursday, April 11, 2019. Adjourned at 8:00 p.m. 5