Anti-Racism Task Force

ANTI-RACISM TASK FORCE MEETING MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING APRIL 25, 2022 Present: Darnell Ford, Sacha Armstrong-Crockett, Sam Rival, Stacey Barka, Kayon Morgan, Precious Price, Brian Gartner Staff: Human Resource Specialist Cayla Jones 1. Call to Order. Chairperson Ford called the meeting to order with Chairperson Crockett at 6:05 p.m. 2. Public Comment on Agenda Items. None 3. Approval of Minutes for the March 14, 2022 Regular Meeting of the Anti-Racism Task Force. MOTION: Task Force Member Gartner made a motion to approve the minutes for the December 13, 2021 meeting. Chairwoman Crockett seconded the motion. Precious Price abstained the motion due not being present at the March Regular meeting. The motion passed 6 in favor 1 abstention. 4. New Business A. Task Force Communication Chairperson Ford opened the discussion around taskforce communication. Discussion began with Box Drive communications. Chairperson Darnell explained the purpose of Box Drive as it being a tool to securely view and share taskforce documents. Discussions regarding communications proceeded with deadlines for submissions of the Agenda items. Reminder to Taskforce Members that the deadline for agenda items are on the Wednesday before the next Anti-Racism Taskforce Meeting. B. Discussion of forums and invite speakers to the meeting. Chairperson Ford raised the topic of inviting guest speakers to the Anti-Racism Task Force Meetings, as it was something task force Members expressed interest in doing. There was no additional comments from Taskforce members. C. Discussion of Task Force Membership and Terms Chairperson Ford addressed concerns and questions surrounding Anti-Racism Task Force Membership and Terms. Chairperson Ford stated that in Article XX, the resolution of Permanent Task Force on Anti-Racism indicates that Members of the Anti-Racism Task Force may be reappointed. All suggestions will be put forth to Mayor Ben Florshiem for reappointments. D. Upcoming Event Juneteenth – Task force Member Price offered to be a direct contact for the Uijima Alliance’s Juneteenth Event, as the secretary of the Ujima Alliance Organization. Further discussion ensued regarding options for participation and collaborations from the Anti- Racism Taskforce for Ujima Alliance Events. Taskforce Members posed the idea to table the Ujima Alliance Juneteenth Event. MOTION: Chairperson Ford made a motion to recommend that The Anti-Racism Taskforce will sponsor a table at the Ujima Alliance Event in Celebration of Juneteenth on June 18th at Smith Park in Middletown. Task Member Morgan seconded the request. The motion passed unanimously at 7:42 p.m. Pride – Chairperson Crockett shared options that wertr offered to the Anti-Racism Task Force from Assistant General Counsel, Christopher Forte, of ways the Task Force can participate in the Middletown Pride Event. Chair Crockett raised the question of the participation in the Pride Event being more impactful, versus partnering with the LGBTQIA+ Commission separately and developing a relationship with the Committee year round. Task Force Member Price posed a query; inquiring if there was an initiative that focused particularly on BIPOC individuals. Chairwoman Crockett responded, and stated that there was no initiative she was aware of. Further discussion ensued regarding BIPOC representation at Pride and how that can formulate in the near future. Chairperson Crockett and Task Force Member Price agreed reach out to members of the LGBTQIA+ Commission for further discussion and possible collaboration. The Anti-Racism Task Force decided not to participate in this year’s Middletown Pride Event. A. NCCJ Report (standing item); Chairperson Ford asked for clarification on member assignments. He mentioned the need to reassign member themes based on current participation. He stated there was about nine consistent members participating in work groups and monthly meetings. It was suggested that more than one theme be assigned to each work group, in hopes to get work done efficiently and effectively. Task Force Member Barka gave a brief update on the Criminal Justice theme and mentioned having plans of scheduling a work group meeting soon with the participation of Jorge Camacho.  Chairperson Crockett gave an update on the Housing Segregation theme and mentioned concerns of housing and security for the community. There has been a focus on the renters who are facing rental increases and evictions. Task Force Member Price participated in the update on the Housing Segregation theme, mentioned doing some research and started the conversation of affordable housing on the Waterfront. Member Price also raised some concern about folk’s evictions being publicly available on the webpage of the City of Middletown’s Housing Authority. Member Barka updated the Taskforce on the Education theme, she mentioned her ideas surrounding the implantation of an HBCU College Tour, for next year’s Middletown High School senior students. Further conversation ensued regarding the Education theme. Member Barka stated that a work group meeting for this theme will be scheduled soon. 5. Adjournment: Task Member Price made a motion adjourn. Councilwoman Blackwell seconded. Chairperson Crockett seconded the motion. Motion was approved unanimously at 7:47 p.m.