Ethnic Community Committee

City of Sterling Heights ETHNIC COMMUNITY COMMITTEE Unofficial minutes of the Thursday, May 4, 2023 regular meeting. MEMBERS PRESENT: Mohammed Alomari Kelechi Anyaogu Dunia Arif Abbott Basal Willie Dechavez Carmen Williams Iqbal Singh (via conference call) MEMBERS ABSENT Kozeta Elzhenni Naketa Jones Susan Kattula Vipul Tripathi OFFICIALS PRESENT: Community Relations Services Specialist Sue Giallombardo 1. Call to Order – Carmen Williams 2. Roll Call 3. Approval of Minutes: MOTION by Basal, SECONDED by Alomari. Approved 6-0 4. Communication from Citizens - None 5. Communications from the Sterling Heights Police Department  Giallombardo stated that the Community Services Bureau will send an officer to future meetings, to replace the sergeant previously assigned as the police liaison of the committee. 6. Agenda A. Building Bridges  Alomari stated that he, along with volunteers from The Omar Center for Awareness & Understanding, hosted a dinner event for 100 families at the Larsa Palace to celebrate the end of Ramadan, reps from the Iraqi Council were in attendance.  Dechavez stated that May is Asian Pacific American month, and he has a cultural display set up in the showcase at the Community Center. Dechavez also attended a Lunch & Learn for Employee Retention that will benefit the Hmong community. He coodinated a fundraiser for his birthday to benefit the Sorsogon feeding program and raised over $1,000. Dechavez also attended the Asian American Forum at the White House, via zoom, Kamala Harris was the guest speaker.  Williams stated that she is excited to bring her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha, to Macomb County and Sterling Heights, where she is a charter member. 7. Old Business:  Giallombardo reminded members about the Breakfast of Nations event, taking place on Friday, May 19 at the Chalden Community Foundation.  Giallombardo reminded members of the Memorial Day parade, on Monday, May 27th. Anyone wishing to walk or drive in the parade should plan on meeting at Dodge Park around 8:30; for the 10:00 start time. Giallombardo added that there will be a ceremony starting at 9:00. The parade will end around 11:30. She advised members to park at Heritage Jr. High and take the shuttle in to Dodge Park. Dechavez added that he has three groups that will be joining the Committee.  Giallombardo reminded members that the Diversity Distinction Awards dinner will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 27 at 6:00 p.m. She added that she will have the participation forms ready for distribution at the June meeting, adding that members could promote the event throughout the summer, and at Sterlingfest. Giallombardo encouraged members to nominate friends, family or colleages for an award; she will send out guidelines if anyone needs them. Recipients do not necessarily need to live in Sterling Heights, but they should actively be promoting diversity in some way, benefiting the residents of Sterling Heights.  Dechavez suggested reaching out to Priya Mann, with WDIV-Local 4 to act as our guest speaker; adding that she recently MC’d an event hosted by the Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce. Giallombardo will follow up.  Giallombardo stated the city’s second annual African American Coalition’s Juneteenth Celebration will take place on Friday, June 16 under the Farmers Market pavilion in Dodge Park. Members are welcome to volunteer at the event, or attend as visitors. 8. New Business  Basal asked about the Go Green initiative that the City is promoting. Giallombardo stated that there were limited funds earmarked for residents to receive monetary assistance for qualifying improvements to their home, such as a new roof, new furnace, etc. Assistance was financially based, but Giallombardo stated that program ended.  Dechavez stated that he will be able to secure enough volunteers to help at Sterlingfest so that the Ethnic Community Committee can have a tent. Giallombardo said members are welcome to volunteer for any shifts that they are available, a schedule will be emailed as we get closer to the date. Giallombardo stated that she will have t-shirts, magnets, pens and American flags to give away.  Giallombardo stated that it might be necessary to hold a meeting in August, to discuss the awardees for the Diversity Dinner. She asked members if they’d prefer to cancel the June meeting, due to the pending August meeting and also a lack of agenda items in June. Alomari made a MOTION to cancel the June 2023 meeting, SECONDED by Dechavez. Approved 6-0. 9. Adjournment. Meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.