Ethnic Community Committee

City of Sterling Heights ETHNIC COMMUNITY COMMITTEE Official minutes of the Thursday, October 1, 2020 regular meeting, via Zoom conference call. MEMBERS PRESENT: Sharron Allen Willie Dechavez Iqbal Singh Shawn Taylor Carmen Williams Stacy Williams MEMBERS ABSENT: Mohammed Alomari Abbott Basal Kozeta Elzhenni Susan Kattula Abul Patwary OFFICIALS PRESENT: Community Relations Director Melanie Davis Community Relations Services Specialist Sue Giallombardo 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Approval of Agenda: MOTION by Taylor, SECONDED by C. Williams. Approved 6-0 4. Approval of Minutes: MOTION by Taylor, SECONDED by C. Williams. Approved 6-0 5. Communication from Citizens:  None 6. Communications from the Sterling Heights Police Dept.-Sgt. Kevin Reese: None 7. Agenda A. Building (virtual) Bridges  Dechavez stated that he’s participated in several events during the month, including a training to assist others with registering to vote and voting, attended the Q2 Sterling Heights Editorial Advisory, and created a virtural Filipino History Month Celebration that included 40 participants and a message from Mayor Taylor; the event was funded by DTE Energy, thank you to Iqbal Singh.  Dechavez added that he continued his involvement with the Census 2020 campaign to increase participation before the deadline.   Dechavez noted that the Sterling Heights Sentry ran a short article on the Diversity Distinction Award presentation.  Allen said that she also attended the Q2 Sterling Heights Editorial Advisory, volunteered with the Census 2020 campaign helping residents complete their census form from a trailer that was set up at Sterling Estates, and attended the September African American Coalition meeting.  Taylor stated that he was approved for a small business grant through the county; adding that he is grateful that he was able to tap into this opportunity.  Taylor said that he met with a director at the Meijer store at 16 Mile and Van Dyke, who stated that Meijer would be happy to help with some funding for future projects. Giallombardo will be sure to reach out to them and asked that he forward the contact information.  For more information on any of the above mentioned items, please feel free to contact fellow members. 8. Old Business:  Giallombardo thanked all of the members that were able to attend the Diversity Award presentation at the September 15 City Council meeting, the presentation ran very smoothly. All recipients were able to attend except for Malcom Charles who is away at MSU, she added that she will try to coordinate a date in the near future to present him with the award when he is home on break.  Giallombardo said that she has been speaking with Jason Groth at the Library, regarding virtural events throughout the month of February for Black History Month. He would like to have a member or two read a children’s story and would also like to have a small panel discussion. Please let Giallombardo know if you would like to participate or if you have any ideas to virtually celebrate Black History Month. 9. New Business:  Dechavez stated that he is working on coordinating a trailer to offer free flu shots; he will forward more information once it is available. 10. Adjournment. Meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.