Citizens' Unity Commission

Citizens’ Unity Commission Monthly Meeting Minutes Thursday, November 14, 2019 ~ 6:00 pm-8:00pm Northampton Community Center, 1435-A Todd’s Lane, Hampton, VA. Attendance: Alice Capehart, Milton McDonald, Joiecel Riviera, Luretta Ray, Justin Carolina, Mary Wallace, Jennifer Evans, Darius Swift, Willie C. Anderson, Katrina Bailey, Barbara Washer, Shuntay Tarver Absent: Chris Grady, Mei Stukes, Trevor Hutson, Kristi Jackson, Michael Harper, Devinn Smart, Deena Franklin(Community Liaison), Tamika Lett, Burley Gardner (Community Liaison), Ellen Shackelford (Community Liaison), Steven D. Bond (Assistant City Manager) Imara Gabe Diaz (Program Coordinator) Staff: Latiesha Handie (Executive Director) Call to Order – Jennifer Evans, Chairperson 6:06 pm Roll Call – Latiesha Handie, Executive Director Action Items Item 1: Icebreakers 5 Minute Personality Test - Latiesha Handie, CUC Executive Director led commissioners in a personality test as a team building exercise. Commissioners were tasked to follow the directions to complete the personality test and report out to the group. Following the assessments each commissioner was able to share their calculations and found personality traits to communicate how each group members suggested strengths and weaknesses add value and opportunities of growth amongst the commission. Item 2: Review and Approval of Meeting Minutes-5-09-19 Minutes were approved at the end of the meeting once the commission received a quorum. Commissioner Jennifer Evans made a motion to approve; motion seconded by Commissioner Katrina Bailey, approved by a vote of commissioners. Item 3: Review and Approval of Meeting Minutes-9-28-19 1 Commissioner Mary Wallace made a motion to approve; motion seconded by Commissioner Katrina Bailey, approved by a vote of commissioners. Item 4: Review and Approval of Meeting Minutes-10-10-19 Commissioner Katrina Bailey made a motion to approve; motion seconded by Commissioner Luretta Ray, approved by a vote of commissioners. Old Business Latiesha Handie stated that the Citizens' Unity Commission currently has one vacancy remaining after the appointments of Dr. Shuntay Tarver and Barbara Washer, which brings our roster to 19 commissioners. Latiesha stated that she would be making recommendations from the board bank to Joy Mautz for the upcoming council session. Welcome new commissioners- Agenda item inserted by CUC Director Latiesha Handie, welcomed newly appointed commissioners Dr. Shuntay Tarver and Barbara Washer, to the group. The commissioners introduced themselves around the room, followed by brief introductions from both Shuntay and Barbara. New commissioners were informed that following this meeting that would receive the FOIA training PowerPoint provided during the Annual Retreat for their records New Business Item 1: Program Evaluation Updates Youth Advisory Group- 1st orientation meeting on October 23, 2019. The YAG currently has 13 members; the next meeting will be in conjunction with Movie Talks sub-committee to view "The Hate You Give" on November 18, 2019. The next YAG training meeting will include an introduction to Parliamentary Procedures. The meeting is scheduled for December 16, 2019. YAG has recently partnered with the Hampton Youth Commission to plan a joint event in February. CUC staff met with instructors from Rivermont Alternative School to consider a pilot partnership to include (up to) 5 students to act as liaisons to the YAG. These students have been identified as those who will be soon transitioning back into public schools. Latiesha Handie expressed that this is a unique partnership as we are blending our existing membership to foster a sense of inclusive practices and diversity within our learnings & teachings." Hot Button Topics- The department has partnered with Charles Cheek from Made to Flourish to discuss local, national, and international issues that are impacting our communities. The sub- 2 committees concept has been in the making for over two years. Latiesha Handie shared notes from the last planning meeting on November 1, 2019. The discussion series will be entitled: Marketplace Conversations! Attendees will have an opportunity to observe and contribute in community conversations that will create temporary discomfort for long term understanding. Considered Topics: Privilege- Race, Age, Gender, Socioeconomic Violence- Domestic, Gun, Communities of Color Mental Health – Opioids vs. Crack, Impact of Social Media, Suicide *Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner dialogue series to include three conversations on each topic for a total of 9 discussions Saturdays at 9:30 AM Fridays at noon Tuesdays at 5:30 PM *Meals for each conversation (provided by Made To Flourish) **Partners for each conversation my vary depending on the topic ***Fixed group of evenly diverse partners to join the conversations. Fish Bowl Conversation to help facilitate the dialogue 25 guests per conversation, ten intended invites, 15 open to the public -Professional -Impacted -Removed, not their experience -Advocate (2) Shuntay Tarver requested clarification on how Communities of Color coincides with the topic of violence. Latiesha Handie replied that the subject relates to violence in communities of color. Commissioner Darius Swift asked if there were any thoughts in magnifying portions of the conversation on social media so that citizens who are not present can lean into the conversation. He also added that some of the topics might not be as inviting for citizens to join in person. The idea was mentioned to possibly share this information in a podcast format. Latiesha Handie added that we have access to the city's new podcast, entitled "Crabtown Talks.” 3 Item 2 & 3: Assigning Committee Leads & Committee Work Breakouts Committee members agreed to defer committee work and breakouts until the December Member due to the absence of many committee members and leads. However, report outs were made for the following sub-committees and some leads were assigned during this meeting. LGBTQ Awareness - Hampton's Citizens' Unity Commission and the LGBTQ Awareness Committee will host a special mix and mingle event on Saturday, Dec, 21, that's designed to foster conversations about violence as it pertains to domestic partnership. The first in a series of conversations, "Rock Your Pride: Find Your Voice" will be held from 1-3 p.m. at the Element Hotel in the Peninsula Town Center, 1851 Merchant Lane, Hampton, VA. The free event will start with a live performance by popular drag performer Queen Mary. The performance will be followed by a conversation circle. Complimentary refreshments will be provided, and tables will be available, offering related information. Flyers will be available online and printed for distribution. Latiesha Handie opened the floor for discussion/feedback concerning the last meeting, in conjunction with Hampton Diversity College. Mary Wallace, Jennifer Evans, and Darius Swift all made comments about a particular participants' outbursts and rude comments during the panel discussion. Barbara Washer commented that the facilitator, Fawn Faulks took a moment during the break to address this particular participant and was able to get a better understanding of where these feelings derived. LGBTQ- Committee members: Jennifer Evans and Katrina Bailey Movie Talks- Committee members: Luretta Ray has expressed that she wishes to offer the position of the Movie Talks committee lead to another commissioner after consulting with the group. Next Movie Talks conversation is November 18, 2019, at the Hampton Public Library. One City One Book- Committee members: Alice Capehart, Darius Swift, Jennifer Evans with one opening, committee lead is pending. Committee member was charged to make the book selections for the upcoming discussions. Unity Though Arts- Committee members: Ellen Shackelford, Katrina Bailey, and Willie C. Anderson, with one opening, Katrina Bailey, named as the lead. Latiesha Handie charged the committee to begin brainstorming event ideas for Feb/March 2020. Unity Awards- Committee Members: Milton McDonald, Alice Capehart, Mary Wallace, Luretta Ray, Justin Carolina, committee lead is Mary Wallace. Hampton Diversity College- Committee members: Jennifer Evans, Barbara Washer, Shuntay Tarver (pending). 4 Circles of Diversity- Committee members: Milton McDonald, Willie C. Anderson, and Mary Wallace. The committee lead is Milton McDonald. Training books will be distributed to review the previous curriculum and offer guidance to the structure of the program. Hot Button Topics- Committee members: Joiecel Riviera, Justin Carolina, Shuntay Tarver Youth Advisory Group- Committee members: Darius Swift, Mei Stukes, Trevor Hutson, Devinn Smart, Next meeting scheduled for Dec 16, 2019 at Sandy Bottom Nature Park, Hampton, VA Go-Backs: CPAG liaison is needed to represent the CUC. Debrief Experience HDC. Movie Talks, CUC office, will send an updated commissioner roster. Announcements: CUC has been invited to a Meet & Greet with the Neighborhood and Clean City Commissions to introduce potential partnerships. Adjourned 7:55 pm Next Meeting Date and Time: Thursday, December 12, 2019, 6:00 pm-8:00 pm 5