Citizens' Unity Commission

Citizens’ Unity Commission Monthly Meeting Minutes Thursday, February 13, 2020 ~ 6:00 pm-8:00pm Hampton City Hall, Community Development Conference Room, 5th floor Attendance: Milton McDonald, Joiecel Riviera, Luretta Ray, Chris Grady, Mei Stukes, Justin Carolina, Mary Wallace, Jennifer Evans, Darius Swift, Willie C. Anderson, Trevor Hutson, Ellen Shackelford (Community Liaison), Michael Harper, Shuntay Tarver Absent: Alice Capehart, Devinn Smart, Katrina Bailey, Tamika Lett, Deena Franklin (Community Liaison), Burley Gardner (Community Liaison), Barbara Washer Staff: Latiesha Handie (Executive Director) Imara Gabe Diaz (Program Coordinator) Assistant City Manager Steven D. Bond Call to Order – Jennifer Evans, Chairperson 6:05 pm Roll Call – Imara Gabe Diaz, Program Coordinator Action Items Item 1: Roll Call Imara Gabe Diaz, CUC Program Coordinator, called roll with mention to those who notified the office of their delay or pre-determined absence. Item 2: Review and Approval of Meeting Minutes 1-09-2020 Commissioner Shuntay Tarver made a motion to approve, motion seconded by Commissioner Jennifer Evans with corrections, approved by a vote of commissioners. Old Business No Old Business New Business Item 1: Program Evaluation Updates  Marketplace Talks- 1st conversation took place on January 27, 2020, on Mental health; "What's behind the rise of youth suicide?" at Sentara Careplex in Hampton. 2nd Conversation: February 7th (lunch)- Privilege at it relates to race and its implications in Hampton. 3rd Conversation: February 11th (dinner) - Violence as it relates to communities of color. Latiesha D. Handie, Executive Director, shared with the commission that the 1  initial launch of this new Hot Button sub-committee program has been extremely successful, with each conversation having no less than 45 participants, including returning participants. Latiesha Handie expressed the diversity of participation to include members of the Youth Advisory Group, Traditionalists, Baby Boomers, and Gen X'ers. She stated that the office had considered feedback comments to help meet the expectations of the participants while improving the program. Latiesha noted that since such adjustments, we have received excellent reports.  Hampton Diversity College- The final session of HDC Level I took place last Thursday, February 6th, with 8 participants. Latiesha Handie stated that although this was one of the smaller graduating classes, the size added to the intimacy in dialogue but increased marketing efforts will hopefully create more substantial participation. New Level II session will begin Thursday, March 12, 2020.  One City, One Book- Discussion and spoken word event centered on the book "To Be a Slave" may be rescheduled due to low registration. Latiesha Handie will contact Rita Scrivener from the Hampton Main Library to see how many copies of the book have been checked out and decide whether to move forward with event planning. CUC is still committed to participating in partnership with the Black Books Matter Expo scheduled for February 28, 2020.  Movie Talks- Fliers for the current movie viewing schedule have been distributed to the sub-committee members by email as well as printed copies provided to Commissioners Luretta Ray and Michael Harper. Item 2: Committee Work/New Initiative 2020 Census Latiesha Handie provided updates for the sub-committees for the following groups that did not have to meet:  Hot Button Topics  One City, One Book  Movie Talks  Unity Through Art  Hampton Diversity College 2020 Census Complete Count Committee  As a part of the city's efforts to ensure counting, each person in the City of Hampton formed Complete Count Committee to raise awareness and motivate residents to respond to the 2020 Census. Latiesha Handie expressed how critically important it is for every person in Hampton to be counted. She provided the following important information concerning this nationwide initiative:  Results from the 2020 Census will be used to: o Direct billions of dollars in federal funds to local communities for schools, roads, and other public services. 2  o Help your community prepare to meet transportation and emergency readiness needs. o Determine the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives and your political representation at all levels of government; o Many community service organizations receive funding and support based on the results of the census, and every person not counted is a $20,000 loss over ten years.  Assistant City Manager Steven D. Bond shared that the City Manager’s office selected Latiesha Handie and her office to oversee the Census initiative because of her determination and commitment to producing excellent outcomes. He stated that he understands that this is a big undertaking, and he appreciates the commission's support as her department carries out the task of getting everyone counted in Hampton. He reiterated the financial deficient associated with each person not being counted. Mr. Bond stated that any person living in the City of Hampton on April 1st, 2020, should be counted, including but not limited to college students, and those in group quarters. Mr. Bond also highlighted that undocumented persons are entitled and permitted to be counted with the understanding that their information or residential status will not be shared with any other organization or governmental agency by federal law. Mr. Bond explained that the complete count is imperative to the number of congregational representation. Important Dates  March 12 - 20: Household will begin receiving official Census Bureau mail with detailed information on how to respond to the 2020 Census online, by phone, or by mail.  March 30 - April 1: The Census Bureau will count people who are experiencing homelessness over these three days. As part of this process, the Census Bureau counts people in shelters, at soup kitchens and mobile food vans, on the streets, and at non- sheltered, outdoor locations such as tent encampments.  April 1: Census Day observed nationwide. Once the invitation arrives, you should respond for your home in one of three ways: online, by phone, or by mail. When you respond to the census, you'll tell the Census Bureau where you live as of April 1, 2020.  April: Census takers will begin visiting college students who live on campus, people living in senior centers, and others who live among large groups of people. Census takers will also begin following up with households that have not yet responded in areas that include off-campus housing, where residents are not counted in groups.  May - July: Census takers will begin visiting homes that haven't responded to the 2020 Census to help make sure everyone is counted. Committee Breakouts:  No committee Breakouts Item 3: Committee Report Outs  Circles of Diversity – Sub-committee member Milton McDonald has identified a list of all houses of faith in Hampton with emails and contact numbers and will continue to add to this list.  LGBTQ Awareness- Planning session for Pride on the Peninsula TBA. Latiesha Handie stated that the partnership event normally takes place on a Wednesday; however, this year, they are looking towards a Saturday event. More details concerning our 3  involvement will be coming soon. \ CUC received an invite to join Hampton Roads Pride at the 2020 Launch Event Sunday, March 15, from 2-4 PM at Operation Smile Global Headquarters in Virginia Beach.  Youth Advisory Group – The next meeting scheduled on the 17th will have to be rescheduled to March 18th due to a conflicting event on our calendar. Members from the Hampton Youth Commission plan to attend this meeting.  Unity Awards – Commissioner Mary Wallace stated that the 1st effort in planning for this year's ceremony was to obtain the Hampton City Schools event calendar, which she provided a copy to Latiesha Handie. Friday, June 5th, has been identified as the potential 2020 Unity Awards ceremony to take place at the American Theatre. Sub- committee members met on Tuesday, February 4thin hopes to improve the application, make revisions to the form. Sub-committee member Mary Wallace stated that materials were compiled for awards from other organizations as well as previous Unity Awards ceremonies. The sub-committee reviewed many different program formats, flyers, and invitations and have agreed to send their recommendations to the CUC Executive Director. Mrs. Wallace also stated that the sub-committee has agreed to make any necessary changes or improvements as long as it doesn't extend the time of the overall program schedule. Latiesha Handie stated that she would like to get a good start on the promotion and marketing efforts to include a Round Robin interview and to consider vendor opportunities for our partners to share information. Go-Backs:  Commissioner Shuntay Tarver expressed her involvement in the recent Marketplace Talks conversations and wanted to share some of the feedback she has received. As reflected in some of the survey questionnaire comments, more time is being requested to unpack specific topics. Ms. Tarver suggested that during the next season of MPT, instead of focusing on various "Hot Button" issues, focus on 1 issue and dedicate a series of conversations to this particular topic. Mary Wallace commented that she was concerned with making sure that we have the appropriate service matter experts on-site so that we can make direct connections to those in need. Program Coordinator Imara Diaz explained that the original vision of the program was to have these important conversations at intentional locations with targeted professionals in the room in hopes that the hosting venue and the service matter experts will pick up the concept and begin to connect with those that need their services. Latiesha Handie stated that although there are still areas of opportunity, the office has been very aggressive in its planning efforts to conditioning and perfecting this new program. Latiesha Handie requested any commissioner that may have some insight on who would be the best fit to offer professional services, please bring those ideas to the table. Liaison Report Outs  No report outs Adjourned 6:58 pm Next Meeting Date and Time: Thursday, March 12, 2020, 6:00 pm-8:00 pm 4