Ethnic Community Committee

City of Sterling Heights ETHNIC COMMUNITY COMMITTEE Official minutes of the Thursday, February 4, 2021 regular meeting, via Zoom conference call. MEMBERS PRESENT: Sharron Allen Willie Dechavez Kozetta Elzhenni Abul Patwary Iqbal Singh Shawn Taylor Carmen Williams Stacy Williams MEMBERS ABSENT: Mohammed Alomari Abbott Basal Susan Kattula OFFICIALS PRESENT: Community Relations Director Melanie Davis Community Relations Services Specialist Sue Giallombardo 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Approval of Minutes: MOTION by Dechavez, SECONDED by Patwary. Approved 8-0 4. Communication from Citizens:  None 5. Communications from the Sterling Heights Police Dept.-Sgt. Kevin Reese: None 6. Agenda A. Building (virtual) Bridges  Dechavez stated that he participated in the Mabuhay Presidential Inauguration, and was given the honor to introduce Mathew and Michaela Oh, who performed during the virtual event and were recipients of a 2020 Diversity Distinction award from the city; Dechavez also participated in the city’s Act of Kindness Day to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr., and along with Iqbal Singh, donated $200 to the Play Place for Autistic Children. Dechavez won a $50 gift card from the city. Dechavez also initiated the creation of an informational flyer for Black History Month. Dechavez suggested that the committee perform an Act of Kindness as a whole next year for MLK, Jr. Day.  Allen stated that she attended Metromode’s Q3 Editorial Advisory meeting, and would like to highlight Shawn Allen’s business in one of their publications. Giallombardo will follow up with her contacts at Metromode. Allen also attended  the monthly African American Coalition meeting and an Equality Task Force meeting at Shephard’s Gate Church. Allen also participated in an Act of Kindness with AKA and attened an MLK celebration sponsored by AKA. Finally, Allen read a children’s book in honor of Black Historys month for a facebook live event sponsored by the Sterling Heights Public Library.  C. Williams also participated in the children’s book reading for the Library, and attend the African American Coalition meeting as well as a virtual All People’s Breakfast.  For more information on any of the above mentioned items, please feel free to contact fellow members. B. Cultural Exchange 2021  Davis stated that due to all of the restrictions with Covid-19, the decision was made to cancel the virtual Cultural Exchange that was set for March, and hold the event outside under the Dodge Park pavilion, possibly on June 18th. She added that more vaccinations will be administered by then, and we may be able to allowed a larger attendance. As it stands, the maximum for an outdoor gathering is 200, but hopefully that will change soon.  Davis stated that its unsure how many groups will be able to perform, or what will be allowed as far as food goes. Many details will have to be decided as the guidelines change. One option for food would be to have food trucks from various ethnicities on site, and perhaps ask the owners to offer smaller portions at lower prices.  Giallombardo stated that the program would be expanded to include a large list of restaurants in the city, in an effort to boost their business.  Allen asked how this date would affect Sterlingfest. Davis replied that while nothing has been decided, Sterlingfest will likely be postponed to the fall, adding that city administration is currently running various financial models to see what parts of the event would be feasible.  Different ideas for food demonstrations were discussed; Elzhenni asked if the restaurant had to be located in Sterling Heights, as long as the owner is a resident. Restaurants outside of the city would be eligible for participation.  Giallombardo stated that planning could begin as late as April, and would allow enough time for a successful event. 7. Old Business:  None 8. New Business:  Dechavez stated that he received a short survey from the City Clerk’s office, asking if he was still interested in serving on the Ethnic Community Committee. Davis said that surveys were sent to all board and commission members in order to weed out people that no longer wanted to volunteer; the Clerk’s office is re- vamping their application process. Singh stated that he didn’t get the survey and Giallombardo said she would follow up with the Clerk’s office and verify a correct email address.  Taylor asked the difference between the Ethnic Community Committee and the new Community Alliance. Davis stated that the Ethnic Community Committee typically focuses on celebrating the different cultures and ethnicities that make up Sterling Heights, while the Community Alliance will work with every unique group within Sterling Heights, such as race, gender, sexual orientation, disabled,  etc. Davis added that City Council wanted a group with a broader focus, that would work to create unity among all groups in the city. The Community Alliance and the Ethnic Community Committee will likely work together on multi-cultural issues in the future.  C. Williams stated that she enjoys discussing what committee members are doing within their organizations that they’re affiliated with, but she would like to work to “build bridges” and bring different groups together for events and/or discussions. Dechavez said that his concept of building bridges works to educate the communitiy on the mission of an organization, their events and their purpose. Taylor suggested that Committee members take time during the meetings to share more facts about themselves and their organizations. Giallombardo stated that members may have different opinions on the concept of building bridges.  Davis suggested hosting dinner meetings in the future, at various restaurants on a quarterly basis, to provide an avenue for different organizations to come together for discussions. C. Williams suggested titling it “Coffee, Culture & Conversation” The idea was well-received and can be further discussed once restrictions are lifted for restaurants. 9. Adjournment. Meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.