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 Minutes for August 14th, 2019 Call to Order Meeting called to order at approximately 12 noon. Roll Call Commissioners Present 1. Walter Cox 7. Willie Milsap 2. Dennis Carrol 8. Author Payne 3. Tracie Tillman 9. Marty Corley 4. Damon Carnes 10. Joan Ganschow 5. Nila Williams 11. La’Tonya Troutman 6. Lester Norvell Commissioners Absent 1. Felice Kelly 3. Albertine Allen 2. Gene Simmons Other Guest 1. Maceo Rainey 3. Carl Ridle 2. Faye Moore Approval of Minutes ● Joan Ganschow name incorrectly spelled ● Motion to accept minutes Pastor Carrol ● Motion seconded by Walter Cox ● All in Favor ○ I’s 8 ○ Nay’s 0 Treasurers Report ● Last reported balance of $2,536.15 ● 2 new transactions ○ Back to school rally sponsorship payout on July 16th of $250.00 ○ July 24th Five Guys Fundraiser added $78.61 ● Ending Balance $2,364.76 ● Motion to approve the Treasurer's Report made by Willie Milsap a. Seconded by Joan Ganschow  b. All in Favor i. I’s 11 ii. Nay’s 0 Guest Speaker Maceo Rainey, TRIOS Purdue Northwest Program Old Business African Garden ● Since July 24th Chairman Payne visited 4 banks regarding Garden spoke to a representative at each bank 1. Horizon, the lady in charge on vacation 2. Fifth Third, -needs a proposal submitted, told marketing will be in touch, have not heard back 3. Chase 4. First Source, Positive meeting on August 8th with 4 representatives that seemed interested in the African Garden Project GoFund me for African Garden ● Seeking a gofundme page for the project. Secretary checked about setting up a gofundme page, need a bank ● A volunteer from Virginia said she would set up the page with Horizon bank Green Thumb volunteers ● Still seeking Green Thumb volunteers ● Spoke with Ministerial Alliance to assist with finding volunteers. No secure answers were given. ● Seeking Commission help to find volunteers with Green Thumbs ● Miss Hudson has been taking care of Garden Fundraiser ● We need to raise money to take care of this project, ● Seeking support from Commissioners to talk with banks, credit unions, businesses, or anybody with a giving attitude to help fund this project and fid volunteers. ● Benefits ● Benefits African American Community and the community as a whole to add much- needed diversity. ● Adding diversity takes pressure off African American Males that deal with being stereotyped by others, including other African Americans. New Business ● On July 25th.2019 Jarrett Payton Jr. of the Michigan City Boys to men workshop of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church won first place in the National Bar Association’s Martin  Luther King jr Drum Major for Justice AdvocacyCompetition in New York City. He won a $5,000 college scholarship, deeming him the best student orator in front of the NBA. He will be attending Rockhurst University, in Kansas City Missouri in the fall ● On May 18th, Payton also won a $1,000 scholarship at the local NBA regional 7 competition in Chicago ● Additional Sydney Mahone, of the Michigan City Boys to Men Workshop, won third place in the same competition. ● Information was shared with us by Judge Sims, who will be starting up the boys to men workshop again in September. Updated Commissioner Contact list We need an updated contact list of all members please be sure to see the secretary to ensure your contact information including phone number and email is recorded and is correct. Round Table Discussion Willie Milsap ● New store opening at the end of August or September at Lighthouse mall called H& L ● Looking to hire about 40 people. Joan Ganschow ● August 7th Drug-free partnership hosted a breakfast and learn. The next meeting is at 8 am at NEEF open to the community. ● Trying to tackle substance abuse and opioid epidemic. There is federal grant money out there so we may have additional money pour in. ● Executive Director James Garrett attended Back to School Rally and sat at our booth the whole time. ○ If the Executive Director can come from Indianapolis to come to our B2S Rally then we, as a commission, should follow in his footsteps Lester Norvell Received a Merry Christmas in August. Damon Carnes ● Community Picnic for the churches on Sunday, September 22nd at noon at Pullman field for fellowship and fun. Open to the public and all churches. Tracie Tillman ● 2nd Barbershop Talk August 17th from 12-1: 30 pm at Kuttin Up Beauty salon and Barbershop 1608 E Michigan BLVD. ● Since the first Barbershop talk, other men have come to talk about child support issues or concerns. ● Hopefully, this can be done on a bigger scale this event on a bigger scale, not at a barbershop so it can be open to the public. There is so much to cover about child support, you cant sum it up in an hour or an hour and a half.  ● The commission would help facilitate a community meeting at a larger event venue. Dennis Carrol Yield the floor La’Tonya Troutman ● The NAACP held an Education Forum Tuesday, August 13th, 2019 at 5:30 pm at the Michigan City Public Library,100 E. 4th Street, Michigan City, IN 46360 ● Panelist Included ○ MCAS Assistant Superintendent, Wendell McCollum ○ La Porte Co. Career and Technical Education Director, Audra Peterson ○ Economic Development Corp. Executive Director, Clarence Hulse ○ IDOE Director of School Improvement, Robin LeClaire ○ Also heard from ■ Maceo Rainey from PNW ■ John Schoenfield from Ivy Tech ○ Moderator: Angie Nelson Deuitch ● It was a good turnout although it was other school events such as freshman and middle school orientation. There were lots of questions regarding suspension rates, funding and resources, and how we can make our school systems. Well- diverse crowd. ● The NAACP is considering doing another event later in the school year and hopeful will include students and parents on the panel. ● On August 31st the NAACP and Indiana Beyond Coal Collaboration are holding a Post Conference Gathering at First Pryberterian church located at 125 w 9th street from 3 - 5 pm. The Gathering is a follow up from our August 1st NoNIpsco Cost shift and press conference held at Pullman field with guest speakers from community leaders such as Pastor Carnes, Pastor Williams and other leaders in the region. ● The NAACP next meeting will be held next Thursday, August 22nd at 6:30 pm at Ivy Tech Community College. ● We are setting a new precedent for being all on board for the success of our students. It is important for the students to see at the beginning of the school year because a lot of African American Males don't know what support systems they do have. We want to ensure they know that they know the community is here for them, the commission is here for them, the NAACP is here and there are other organizations that are here to support them. ● The Education Forum will be shared on the NAACP LaPorte County Branch 3061 page please like our page if you haven’t already done so. ● Also, The Michigan city Commission has a social page it is not as active and information and resources can be shared there. We need to over-actively get the word out. Carl Ridle Echoing , The efforts of the NAACP were well done although we missed the target audience. Hope is placed in the NAACP and the commission to come together to present another opportunity where we can do an interactive session specifically with young black males. Author Payne Pastor Williams invited 2 speakers to come speak during service to speak on education the churches have to get involved. The best way to reach people. Although it is often frowned upon for These issues to be addressed, although Sunday is the best time because most people are there. Carnes addressed Ministers about similar concerns and has assured Pastors are becoming more open to people coming in and talking to their congregation. Although it is a tradition thing, it is something that is breaking through. The Ministerial Alliance is starting a database to share information with the churches. Pastor Williams is going to allow La’Tonya to come speak this Sunday about the rally so the winds of change are here Adjournment ● Motion made to adjourn made by Tracie Tillman ● seconded by Lester Norvell. ○ All In Favor ○ I’s 11 ○ Nay’s 0 ● Adjourned at approximately 1:05 pm.