Anti-Racism Task Force

ANTI-RACISM TASK FORCE MEETING MINUTES MIDDLETOWN, CONNECTICUT REGULAR MEETING MAY 9, 2022 Present: Councilman Darnell Ford, Chair Sacha Armstrong-Crockett, Sam Rival, Stacey Barka, Kirk Hart, Precious Price, Patricia Alston, Brian Gartner Staff: Cayla Jones, Human Resource Specialist 1. Call to Order. Councilman Ford called the meeting to order with Chairperson Crockett at 6:14p.m. 2. Approval of Minutes for the April 25, 2022 Special Meeting of the Anti-Racism Task Force. MOTION: Task Force Member Price made a motion to approve the minutes for the April 25, 2022 meeting. Task Force Member Gartner seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 3. Public Comment on Agenda Items. None 4. New Business A. Discuss forums and invite speakers to the meeting. Member Price suggested that the Task Force invites Dr. Waters, (Board of Education’s Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) to an upcoming Anti-Racism Task Force meeting; for an introductory conversation around racial equity in the Middletown School System. MOTION: Member Hart made a motion to invite Dr. Hart to the June 13th Anti-Racism Task Force Regular Meeting. Member Alston seconded the motion. Member Price abstained. The motion passes unanimously at 6:19 p.m. MOTION: Chairperson Ford made a motion to begin discussions of inviting Diana Martinez from the MRJC for a follow up workshop. Discussions will take place at the June Anti-Racism Task Force Meeting. Chairperson Crockett seconded the motion. Member Price abstained as the Director and Community Organizer of the MRJC. Motion passed unanimously at 6:25p.m. B. Follow-up discussion from 4/25/2022 Special Meeting. 1. Juneteenth Event – Taskforce voted at the April Anti-Racism Task Force Special Meeting to attend and sponsor the Ujima Alliance – Juneteenth Event. Further discussion took place on what level of sponsorship the Task Force would agree like to participate in. Member Price provided details of sponsorship options. MOTION: Member Hart made a motion to give Chairperson Ford and Chairperson Crockett permission to fill out the necessary paperwork and permission to spend Anti- Racism Task Force funds for the table and for sponsorship of the Juneteenth event on Saturday, June 18th 2022. Member Rival seconded the motion. Member Price abstained as the Ujima Alliance Secretary. Motion passed unanimously at 6:50 p.m. 2. PRIDE Event – Follow up discussion of “What the LGBTQIA+ Commission was doing specifically for the BIPOC community.” Chairperson Crockett and Member Price received feedback from Jenn Billingsly and Christopher Forte. Chairperson Crockett spoke about her conversation with Forte, and mentioned how he understood that the Anti-Racism Task Force would rather build a longstanding unified relationship prior to participating in this year’s PRIDE Event. Member Price had an informal conversation with Jenn Billingsly who indicated that there was nothing specific to BIPOC individuals happening at PRIDE. Further discussion ensued regarding Anti-Racism Task Force’s effort in collaborating with the LGBTQIA+ Commission. C. Discussion of Task Force Membership and Terms Chairperson Ford opened discussion on membership and terms. He indicated that based on the attendance analysis, 9 out of 13 members consistently show to up Task Force meetings. He also mentioned, that based on the level of participation, it was necessary to merge the Task Force’s themed working-groups. Chairperson Ford asked members to send their official recommendation of which themed working-groups should merge, and the recommendations will be discussed at the June Regular Meeting of the Anti-Racism Task Force. List of Working Groups Criminal Justice Community Building Education Equity Environmental Racism Information Equity Housing Segregation  Labor Equity Overall Racism Climate D. NCCJ Report (standing item); Education Equity update- Member Price informed the Task Force of the Community Eligibility Provision, and asked Task Force Members to participate in the event as it is to help provide free meals to schools in Middletown. Housing Equity, Labor Equity, and Criminal Justice gave updates on scheduled meeting dates. 5. Adjournment: Member Barka made a motion adjourn. Member Gartner seconded the motion. Motion was approved unanimously at 7:42 p.m.