Race Equity Commission

‘ CITY OF SALEM REGINA ZARAGOZA FREY RACE EQUITY COMMISSION CHAIR DOMINICK PANGALLO 98 WASHINGTON STREET SHELBY ORTEGA MAYOR SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS 01970 VICE CHAIR 978.745-9595 X. 41505 MEETING NOTICE AND AGENDA Notice is hereby given that a meeting of the Salem Race Equity Commission (REC) will be held in person on Thursday, July 16, 2026 at 5:00pm in the City Hall Annex first floor large conference room at 98 Washington St., Salem, MA, and via remote participation through the Zoom platform in accordance with Chapter 2 of the Act of 2025. Every effort will be made to ensure that the public can adequately access the proceedings in real time, via technological means. In the event that we are unable to do so on matters not requiring a public hearing, we will post on the City of Salem’s website an audio or video recording, transcript, or other comprehensive record of proceedings as soon as possible after the meeting. Meetings of the REC take place on the first Thursday of the month from 5:00-7:00pm unless otherwise noted. The City of Salem is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87489978688?pwd=4bOnaSLahdOb03yvLxVbuHTiXtXtQY.1 Password: 1122 CITY ORDINANCE Sec.2-1032 of the City of Salem Ordinance relating to the Race Equity Commission states as follows: There is hereby established a race equity commission for the purpose of: 1. Implementing elements of the city's race equity action plan and updating said plan periodically as necessary; 2. Advising departments and city officials on strategies and approaches to ensure municipal programs, policies, budgets, and ordinances are developed in a manner that avoid and reduce systemic racism and bias; 3. Developing and recommending initiatives, programs, and policies intended to reduce systemic racism and bias in Salem; Know your rights under the Open Meeting Law M.G.L. c. 30A §18-25 and City Ordinance Sections 2-2028 through 2-2033 4. Designing and conducting hiring and recruitment programs and advise on employee training and retention programs to increase diversity and cultural competency of city staff; 5. Supporting and guiding community organizations, employers, associations, nonprofits, agencies, businesses, and others in methods by which they can help reduce systemic racism and improve racial equity in Salem; and 6. Seeking grants and other sources of support and resources to carry out the Commission's work. AGENDA 1. Roll Call Rosa Alvarado Chief of Police: Lucas Miller Alexandra Ramos City of Salem Human Resources Director: Dr. Vanita Naidoo Lisa Cammarata Dr. Melanie Sonsteng-Person Salem Public Schools Acting Dr. Javier Garcia- Perez Superintendent: Kate Carbone Jennifer Winsor City Council Liaison: Kyle Davis Dr. Shelby Ortega City of Salem Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Director: Regina Zaragoza Frey 2. Approve previous meeting minutes a. June 2026 meeting. 3. Public Comment. 4. Announcements and Updates a. Progress on grant applications: Regina to provide update from Kerry Murphy, Health and Wellness Coordinator, regarding the MA Community Health and Healthy Aging Funds grant application. b. Commission Membership Updates. Introduction of Dr. Javier Garcia-Perez. c. August Meeting Schedule: Discussion of replacing the regular August meeting with an informal Commission gathering. d. Upcoming City Council discussion on City Seal. 5. Presentation and discussion from local Salem LUCE network leader, Julia Scherer-Hook: Introduction to Salem LUCE. 6. Follow up on changes to the Discrimination Reporting Form. a. Discuss marketing campaign to distribute the form. 7. New business a. September: Presentation TBD – Shawn Newton. 8. Adjournment. Know your rights under the Open Meeting Law M.G.L. c. 30A §18-25 and City Ordinance Sections 2-2028 through 2-2033 Persons requiring auxiliary aids and services for effective communication such as sign language interpreter, an assistive listening device, or print material in digital format or a reasonable modification in programs, services, policies, or activities, may contact the City of Salem ADA Coordinator at 978-619-5678 or lcammarata@salem.com as soon as possible and no less than two (2) business days before the meeting, program, or event. Know your rights under the Open Meeting Law M.G.L. c. 30A §18-25 and City Ordinance Sections 2-2028 through 2-2033