Ethnic Community Committee

City of Sterling Heights ETHNIC COMMUNITY COMMITTEE Unofficial minutes of the Thursday, March 4, 2021 regular meeting, via Zoom conference call. MEMBERS PRESENT: Sharron Allen Abbott Basal Willie Dechavez Iqbal Singh Shawn Taylor Carmen Williams Stacy Williams MEMBERS ABSENT: Mohammed Alomari Kozetta Elzhenni Susan Kattula Abul Patwary OFFICIALS PRESENT: Community Relations Services Specialist Sue Giallombardo 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Approval of Minutes: MOTION by Dechavez, SECONDED by Taylor. Approved 7-0 4. Communication from Citizens:  None 5. Communications from the Sterling Heights Police Dept.-Sgt. Kevin Reese  Reese stated that a Sterling Heights police officer recently posted an inappropriate comment on social media; he added that he incident has been investigated and the officer has resigned. Reese assured members that these types of comments are not tolerated and never will be. Officers have already attended additional sensitivity training. C. Williams asked why more details on the incident have not been released, Reese replied that the officer signed a non-disclosure statement and the city is not required to release the officer’s name, adding that the Police Chief and City Admininstration acted swiftly on the entire incident.  Dechavez asked if there have been any reports of hate crimes against Asian Americans, Reese replied that he had not heard of any. 6. Agenda A. Building (virtual) Bridges  Dechavez stated that he participated in a community-wide virtual Chinese New Year Celebration, recognizing excellence among individuals and organizations making significant contributions in the community. He added that he and Iqbal  Singh recorded a 30-minute greeting and congratulations video for the event. Dechavez also attended an APIA Vote Michigan zoom meeting.  Dechavez continues to volunteer with the Sorsogon City food program and sent additional contributions to their community and will organize a Go Fund Me for his April birthday to encourage additional donations.  Dechavez stated that he initiated an event that will be honoring local women in celebration of March being Women’s History Month. The event will be aired March 20th.  Allen stated that she attended Metromode’s Q3 Editorial Advisory meeting, attended the monthly African American Coalition meeting, and read a children’s story for one of the library’s Black History Month virtual events. Allen added that C. Williams and Taylor were also in attendance.  C. Williams stated that she also read a children’s story for the Library’s Black History Month events and is a member of the Urban League of Detroit.  Giallombardo added that the library also organized a panel discussion lead by Lt. Governor Gilchrist that was well-received on facebook. https://www.facebook.com/events/130016992258554/  For more information on any of the above mentioned items, please feel free to contact fellow members. 7. Old Business:  Giallombardo stated that the Cultural Exchange will still take place on Friday, June 18 from 6:00-10:00 p.m. under the Dodge Park Farmers Market Pavilion. Giallombardo added that the guidelines will likely change at the end of March, and will allow for more attendees. She will begin soliciting ethnic-themed food trucks for the event, since the usual food buffet line will not be allowed.  Further discussion on the event will take place at the April meeting. 8. New Business:  None 9. Adjournment. Meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m.