Citizens' Unity Commission

Citizens’ Unity Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, May 9, 2019 ~ 6:00pm-8:00pm Community Development Conference Room, 5th Floor, City Hall, Hampton, VA Attendance:, Anthony Tyrone George, Darius Swift, Kristi Jackson, Luretta Ray, Mary Wallace (Vice Chair) – attended late, Mei Stukes, Michael Harper, Milton McDonald, Tamika Lett, Willie C. Anderson, Ellen Shackelford (Community Liaison), Burley Gardner (Community Liaison) Absent: Carter Phillips (Chair), Alice Capehart, Anne Andrews, Jennifer Evans, Ray Smith, Steven D. Bond (Assistant City Manager), Deena Franklin (Community Liaison), Imara Diaz, Devinn Smart, Kercelia Woodruff, Trevor Hutson Staff: Latiesha Handie (Executive Director) Call to Order– Latiesha Handie, Executive Director, 6:08 pm Roll Call – Latiesha Handie Action Items Item 1: Review and Approval of Meeting Minutes from April 11, 2019 Minutes were approved at the end of the meeting once the commission received a quorum. Commissioner Tamika Lett made a motion to approve the minutes; motion seconded by Commissioner Mary Wallace. Minutes approved by a vote of commissioners. New Business Item 1: Program Evaluation Updates Recap International Children's Festival: On Saturday, April 20, 2019, the commission participated in the International Children's Festival by sponsoring a venue table and hosting one of the leading entertainers. Commissioner, Imara Diaz, as part of the selected marketing package, introduced Arthur Lopez from drum your dream on the mainstage, in conjunction with advertising about the commission's mission and goals. Latiesha Handie asked if any commissioners would like to share their experience and Commissioner Willie Anderson stated that "it was wonderful!" Commissioner Jennifer Evans added that the event was well attended and all CUC swag bags were disbursed. Community Liaison, Burley Gardner mentioned that the commission ran out of the bags at the event. Latiesha Handie explained that the intent was to exhaust all of last year's inventory to make room for new items in the following year. The total amount of bags that remained from the previous year was 300 0ut of 500 assembled kits. The total cost spent on this year's participation was $1000.00. Hampton Diversity College update: Hampton Diversity College Level II ended Thursday, April 18, 2019, with 16 graduates. The final Level I will begin on May 9, 2019, with a projection of 26 participants. After May 30th, the anticipated graduation number will be 92 for FY 2019! Latiesha Handie stated that Level III would begin in July 2019, and sessions are facilitated by volunteers. She informed the commission that if the commission knew of any facilitators, CUC would be accepting recommendations. Youth Advisory Group Cert Training: YAG hosted its first Community Emergency Response Training in partnership with Emergency Management at Fire Station #11 with a total of 11 participants. Due to the success of the program, the staff has plans to partner with Bethel High School in September to offer the program to teens between the ages of 13-17. Each participant received a Teen Cert book with the following emergency preparedness items: First Aid kit, flashlight, smoke detector, and emergency flair and CUC information. Commissioner Mei Stukes stated that her son attended this program and "loved it." She noted that the kit he received was extraordinary and will be very useful. She also said that he made an emergency plan with the family and that this preparation will align with him receiving an Eagle Merit Badge with the Boy Scouts of America. Pastor's Dialogue on Racism & Poverty update: Estimated 64 Pastors met at Old Point National Bank for a panel discussion around race reconciliation. The panel was made up of 5 Pastors. A partnership is under consideration with the Commission to continue the conversation. A mention to discuss during a CUC meeting posed the idea of possibly moving the meeting location to the Ruppert Sargent building. Item 2: Commissioner Term expirations and vacancies  Latiesha Handie stated that commissioners could serve up to two four year terms before they are no longer eligible to serve on the commission. As of June 30, 2019, Commissioner Ann Andrew's will have completed her term limit and will no longer be with the commission. Latiesha Handie announced that Commissioner Tyrone George was up for reappointment, but due to his school schedule, he has advised that he will decline the opportunity. Tyrone George at that time expressed his appreciation of being a part of the CUC. Latiesha Handie noted that his term would expire June 30 and requested his presence at the upcoming Unity Awards so that the Commission could honor him. Latiesha Handie stated that Trevor Hudson's and Carter Phillips' are both on 1st terms due to expire June 30, 2019, to which they both expressed interest in being reappointed to a 2nd term and their names will be submitted to council for consideration. Two other commissioners have been notified of their eligibility of reappointment and have been advised to provide information on his or her interest in continuing to serve by June 30, 2019. Latiesha Handie noted that Commissioner Mr. Milton McDonald's term 1st expires in June of 2020. Item 3: Committee Work Groups  Due to the absence of a several committee members, commissioners agreed to cancel committee work and proceed to committee report-outs. Latiesha Handie, Executive Director, adjusted the meeting accordingly. Item 4: Committee Report- Outs Movie Talks, 1 City 1 Book, and LGBTQ: The Hampton Library proposed a book and movie talk event to coincide with Pride Month in June. The film and book for consideration is the 2018 film "Love, Simon" based on the 2015 novel "Simon versus the Homo Sapiens Agenda" by Becky Albertalli. The movie viewing will take place during the 5th Annual Pride on the Peninsula, Wednesday, June 19, 2019, at the Virginia Air & Space Center Library. Latiesha Handie provided the book discussion dates and locations and how to register for the conversation. There are a total of 30 books available. Unity Awards: Latiesha Handie advised commissioners that the Unity Awards would be hosted on June 7, 2019, and provided a signup sheet for commissioners to communicate their intent to attend. Latiesha Handie asked if any of the present commissioners had been in contact with Mary Wallace to ensure responsibilities and their placement on the program. Of the current commissioners, they stated they had not been in contact with Mary, but they were aware of their responsibilities. Once Commissioner Mary Wallace and Milton McDonald arrived they shared about the participation of both Milton and Commissioner Mei Stukes in a Round Robin interview to promote the Awards ceremony encouraged fellow commissioners to share the interview which is now available on YouTube and social media. Unity through Art: Latiesha Handie asked the present commissioners if they had received any word from the committee lead, Imara Diaz. Committee remembers she responded no with no additional updates. Announcements Iftar Dinner Latiesha Handie, provided commissioners with a flyer denoting the Rumi Friendship associations upcoming event that commissioners were requested to attend and share with realms of influence. Iftar Dinner, "Breaking Bread While Making a friend " May 29, 2019, 7 pm The Iftar Dinner is an evening meal hosted by the Muslim Community to denote the end of their daily Ramadan fast at sunset. This event is usually done as a community with people gathering to break from abstaining of food, drink, and intimacy together. Mayor's Committee for People with Disabilities: Community Liaison, Ellen Shackelford invited the commission to participate in the Annual Awards Ceremony, and that registration details can be found on Hampton.gov/Mayors Committee of People with Disabilities. Tradoc Diversity Office: Burley Gardner stated that he would be sending a flyer for an upcoming event hosted a Fort Eustis. Latiesha Handie invited commissioners to attend some of the 1619 Commemorative Commissions during the summer and mentioned that the commission would be hosting one of the youth events over the summer. Mary Wallace shared a unity poem on the importance of being an active member. Commissioner Kristi Jackson shares that Charlie Jackson, her son and Youth Advisory Group member would be graduating this year from High School, and we keep them in our thoughts during this beautiful transition. Latiesha Handie thanked the commission for allowing her to serve as their Executive Director as she completes her first year in her new position. She is looking forward to achieving far more in the Fiscal Year 2020. Program Coordinator Position Update: Interviews scheduled for next Tuesday, May 14, 2019, and Friday, May 17th. Latiesha Handie is hoping to select a candidate for hire by June 1, 2019. Latiesha Handie thanked Mei Stukes for inviting her boy's scout troop to attend the current meeting in an effort to earn their communication badge. "Go-Backs": None Next Meeting Date and Time: Friday, June 07, 2019. – Unity Awards Adjourned at 7:04 p.m.