Citizens' Unity Commission

Citizens’ Unity Commission Monthly Meeting Minutes Thursday, April 13, 2023 6:00 -8:00pm Community Development Conference Room, City Hall, 5th floor Attendance: Katrina Bailey, Alice Capehart, Jennifer Evans, Chris Grady, Malik Perry, Ellen Velissarios, Steven Wendell, Raquel McMillan, Dawn James-Taylor, Brad Young, Kathreen Tadrous, Gretchen Nelson, Phyliss Porter Staff: Imara Gabe Diaz, Assistant City Manager Steve Bond Absent: Shuntay Tarver (AN), Samantha Snead (AN), Vidal Dickerson (AN) Call to Order – Raquel McMillan, Vice Chairperson @ 6:00 pm Roll Call – Imara Gabe Diaz, Executive Director Old Business Item 1: Review and Approval of Meeting Minutes –Chairperson Ellen Velissarios called for a motion to approve and adopt the meeting minutes for 3/9/2023. A motion to approve was made by Commissioner Ellen Velissarios and a 2nd by Commissioner Katrina Bailey. Item 2: Community Engagement Recap – Executive Director Gabe Diaz gave an overview of the previous Hampton Diversity College Level I highlights and encouraged the commission to sign up for Level I, taking place May 3-24. Commissioner Dawn James-Taylor gave an overview of her experience while at the Family Expo at Mary W. Jackson Neighborhood Center. The event was very well attended and we were able to get a lot of information out to the community as well as 1st Aid kits and emergency preparedness resources. Commission Ellen Velissarios gave an overview of her experience at the Hampton Roads Social Justice Conference where she gave a joint presentation on Day 2. Ellen shared details about the individual breakout sessions and the keynote speakers. 1 New Business Upcoming Event Volunteer Request – Gabe Diaz informed the Commission of the upcoming invitations and volunteer opportunities for the upcoming month to include: o Walk In Their Shoes – Saturday, 4/15 Peninsula Town Center 8:30AM – 12PM o Mosaic Festival – Saturday, 4/22 Mill Point Park 9:30AM – 4PM o Reunion of Hope – Sunday, 4/23 Gosnold’s Hope Park – 11AM – 5PM Action Items Unity Awards Discussion – Gabe Diaz open the floor for discussion concerning the Unity Awards Ceremony. Gabe communicated that he has reserved the American Theatre for Friday, June 16, 2023. After reviewing the previous year’s nomination forms, Gabe recommended combining elements from each form to create this year’s application. The group spent time reviewing each question in order to create an application that would be easy to complete and offer the most information about the nominee. The commission agreed that we would accept nominations until Monday, May 8th. Announcements CUC has been invited to Gala of Hope dinner and celebration to culminate the Youth Violence Prevention Week’s activities that will feature R&B and Soul singer-songwriter Leela James. Hampton Roads Convention Center, 6:30PM. Registration ends 4/14 Adjourned 8:06 pm by Chairperson Ellen Velissarios 2