Citizens' Unity Commission

Citizens’ Unity Commission Monthly Meeting Minutes Thursday, December 8, 2022 6:00 -8:00pm Community Development Conference Room, City Hall, 5th floor Attendance: Katrina Bailey, Jennifer Evans, Chris Grady, Malik Perry, Shuntay Tarver, Ellen Velissarios, Steven Wendell, Raquel McMillan, Brad Young, Gretchen Nelson, Staff: Imara Gabe Diaz Absent: Alice Capehart (AN) Erica Spencer (AN), Samantha Snead (AN) Dawn James-Taylor (AN), Jabari Colon, (AN) Kathreen Tadrous (AN) Vidal Dickerson (AN), Phyliss Porter (AN), Assistant City Manager Steve Bond (AN) Call to Order – Ellen Velissarios, Chairperson @ 6:01 pm Roll Call – Imara Gabe Diaz, Executive Director Welcome Old Business Review and Approval of Meeting Minutes – Commissioners were given time for review and approval of the meeting minutes from 11/10/22. A motion to approve was made by Chairperson Ellen Velissarios and 2nd by Commissioner Katrina Bailey. Action Items Item 1: Volunteer Sign-Up Request – Executive Director Gabe Diaz announced upcoming volunteerism opportunities for the commission and circulated sign-up sheets for the following: • 6th Annual 249 Ninja Toy Drive & Food Distribution – Sunday, December 18, 2022 from 12 PM – 4PM Phoebus High School Gym 100 Ireland Street, Hampton, VA • Youth Advisory Group End of Year Joint Celebration w/ the Hampton Youth Commission and the Mayor’s Youth Commission of Newport News Monday, December 19, 2022 from 5 – 7PM Liberty Student Center 1 Liberty Lane, Hampton, VA 1 Item 2: Sub-Committee Program/Event Selection – The following proposed events are up for consideration for 2023: • Youth led conversations (YAG) on suicide prevention, sex trafficking and social media etiquette. • LGBTQ Community Day • Unity Though Arts Monologue Class in partnership with Northampton Community Center • Black History Month program in partnership with Y.H. Thomas Community Center • Movie Talks program in partnership with Hampton Library to begin in Feb. (Saturday afternoons) • Multicultural Festival in partnership with Hampton History Museum New Business Item 1: Event Planning – The commission had an open discussion on details for the above-mentioned events to include venue locations, date and times, target audiences and partnering agencies and city departmental support. Gabe Diaz will take the notes from the sub-committees and coordinate the logistical details with the appropriate partners. Item 2: Departmental/Commission Swag – Gabe Diaz led the commission into a conversation about ordering swag for the commission/department to have on hand at community events, meetings and workshops. Gabe mentioned that the he waited until we were almost completely out of stock before ordering new merchandise, to include the new departmental name. The floor was open to suggestions and the following items were listed: candy, draw string bags, travel blankets, lanyards, pop-up doggie bowls, breath mints, clam strips, ink pens, metal water bottles, portable charging banks, rubber wrist bands, QR coded items, bags, post-it notes, light weight jackets, zip up hoodies, and dry fit polo shirts. Commissioner Malik Perry added that him and his business partner, Daniel Varner, own Kaldima Dezigns which specializes in illustration and design for businesses, non-profits, and entrepreneurs for marketing promotions. Some of the print services that we provide are business cards, flyer design, tickets, programs, logo and identity development, screen printing, sublimation printing for various items, and wedding and social event invitations to name a few. Announcements • 6th Annual 249 Ninja Toy Drive & Food Distribution – Sunday, December 18, 2022 from 12 PM – 4PM Free and open to the public ***VOLUNTEERS NEEDED*** Phoebus High School Gym 100 Ireland Street, Hampton, VA A city-wide event dedicated to serving families in need, the goal is to provide to gifts and food for the holiday season. Games, food, a live DJ and plenty of fun for the entire family. • Youth Advisory Group End of Year Joint Celebration w/ the Hampton Youth Commission and the Mayor’s Youth Commission of Newport News Monday, December 19, 2022 from 5 – 7PM ***ADULT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED*** Liberty Student Center 1 Liberty Lane, Hampton, VA Theme: Let It GLOW! A Winter Wonderland 3 Youth Groups, representing 2 cities with 1 vision of increasing the youth’s engagement with their city. Adjourned 8:03 pm by Chairperson Ellen Velissarios 2