Commission on the Social Status of African-American Males

MICHIGAN CITY COMMISSION ON THE SOCIAL STATUS OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN MALES --------------------------------------- Mr. Arthur Payne, Jr. Ms. Joan Ganschow Ms. LaTonya Troutman Mr. .Marty Corley Chairman Vice-Chairman Secretary Treasurer July 10th 2019 Roll call Commissioners Present 1. Marty Corely 7. Tracie Tillman 2. Arthur Payne 8. Albertine Allen 3. La’Tonya Troutman 9. Damon Carnes 4. Walter Cox 10. Dennis Carrol 5. Lester Norvell 11. Joan Ganschow 6. Gene Simmons Commissioners Absent 1. Felice Kelly 3. Nila Williams 2. Willie Milsap Other Guest 1. Carl Ridle 2. Mr. Bronson with the Indiana Plan Approval of Minutes ● Minutes approved by Walter Cox ● Second by Lester Norvell Treasurer's report ● June’s balance after all pending transactions cleared was $ 2736.15 ● Last few transactions include ○ $200 to Rushing for yards ○ $1000 to Laura from Beachside for African Garden ● Remaining balance $2536.15 with no pending transactions Old Business African Garden  ● Sandra Hudson will take care of the garden watering, and take care of weeds starting next week. ● Asking Ministerial Alliance to find Green Thumb Volunteers to help with upkeep of the garden. ● The Garden is important in adding diversity to the community. ● Talked with Laura about Garden Layout ● 2 Flowers did not make it. Laura has replaced those flowers at no cost to the commission. ● Consideration was given to other elements that could be implemented into the garden to show the African American Culture. ● Anyone that wants to visit the garden can do so Saturday July 13th at around 1 pm. ● Resend Garden map to commission. ● All plants have not grown in but garden is coming along Youth Leadership ● Travis Tj Lenoir attended city council meeting in hopes of becoming nominated to the Youth Leadership Council. Showing the initiative La’Tonya Troutman requests is nomination to the Youth Leadership ● Motion made by Gene Simmons to nominate Travis Lenoir to the Youth Leadership Council ● Motion seconded by Damon Carnes. I’s 11 Nay’s 0 New Business Education ● NAACP is getting involved with school system. Spoke with Assistant Superintendent about implementing more diversity. ● President Scully and La’Tonya Troutman met with Deb Chubb and Mr. Mccollum Last years numbers were 147 graduates were white. 89 were African American the rest are multi cultural and hispanic. African American made up the least number of graduates and the most drop out with 21 students that dropped out compared to 14 whites. of the 100% of suspensions , 53.4% of students suspended were African American. How can we put our kids on a successful track when they are not in school. How can we fill class or Ak Smith Center that are already available. How can we make best use of the programs that our available and improve communication between schools and parents to fill classrooms. How do we target students at risk? NAACP is putting together an Education Forum with potential date of August 7th and possible location the HOPE Center to start the year off together on a success driven track. ● Discussion of a DJ/Hip Hop course to help target students with Talent Show. How else do we add culture to our community. ● The commission needs to target students to get involved in Trade Programs to get more black students to fill this programs. ● Counsellors are not sending students to these programs ● Students must be valued. Education needs to be just as valuable as Sports is. ● Commission encouraged all to attend. Roundtable Marty Corely 3 things: ● Give back on July 24th at Five Guys 20% of all sales and an additional dollar for every milkshake.Must have digital or printed flyer. ● Chipotle giveback on August 5th, 33% with a minimum of $300 in sales. Must have digital or printed flyer ● Back 2 School Rally August 8th, we will have a table. Requested $250 to donate to back to school rally. ● Motion made to donate $250 to back to school rally made by Joan Ganshow ● Seconded byPastor Carrol ○ I’s 11 ○ Nay’s 0 ● Marketing Material needed for back to school rally. ● Motion made to allocate $300 for marketing material for back to school rally by Lester Norvell ● Seconded by Damon Carnes I’s 11 Nay’s 0 Walter Cox Commending Marty Corely for a job well done with Youth Leadership at the Courthouse. Pastor Carrol Yield the floor. Albertine Allen Welcome Back. Yield the floor. Tracie Tillman Barbershop Talk at Marvelous Cuts was held June 29th. The goal of that talk was to open a safe space for males to voice their opinions, experiences, and concerns regarding child support. Local men and 4 Barbers were present with County 4D Child Support Division and Social Status. This talk was prompted due to several observations and conversations with males. Many males expressed their disconnected with the Child support office. Received a lot of Feedback. Marvelous cuts owner would like to do it again on a bigger scale. Joan Ganschow Drugfree Partnership meeting August 7th at 8 am at Neef building on Franklin. Pastor Carnes 2 years ago Ministerial Alliance held a coming together event with all the church Alliance planning to do event again. Date TBD. Lester Norvell Conversation should begin at home about students career path and education. Gene Simmons. Yield the floor LA’Tonya Troutman NAACP membership meeting on July 25th at 630 at Ivy Tech. August 1 NAACP and Indiana Beyond Coal is having a No NIPSCO Cost shift rally and press conference at pullman field to bring attention to the Evidentiary Hearing being held about Rates. NAACP national Conference will begin on July 17- 24 registration is 150. Public Comments Mr. Ridle introduced Mr Bronson who briefed the commission on the Indiana Plan and dispel any misinformation. Adjournment At 1:56pm