HomeMy WebLinkAboutHRC Minutes 090919
MINUTES
September 9, 2019
6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
John Link Government Services Center
200 S. Cameron Street, Hillsborough NC
MEMBERS PRESENT STAFF
James Spivey Tara May, Civil Rights Specialist
Nora Spencer Melvyn Blackwell, Intake Specialist
Allison Mahaley
Samantha Beecham
Frances Castillo
Marc Xavier
Debby Stroman
Ana Garcia-Turner
MEMBERS ABSENT
Stephanie Harrell (excused)
Matt Case (excused)
Jamie Paulen (excused)
GUESTS
David LaBarre
I. Call to Order
A. The meeting was called to order at 6:30pm by Dr. Debby Stroman, Chair. A quorum was
present at 6:45pm.
II. Introductions
A. Human Rights & Relations (HR&R) staff, current and recently added Human Relations
Commission (HRC) members, made introductions. Mr. David LaBarre, a guest and
current HRC member applicant, made introductions as well.
III. Minutes Approval – August 12, 2019
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A. HRC members reviewed the minutes from the previous HRC meeting. Ms. Nora
Spencer made a motion to approve the minutes. Ms. Allison Mahaley seconded the
motion. All were in favor to approve the minutes.
IV. County Updates
A. Ms. Tara May reported a message from the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC)
requesting the HRC to develop a process to respond to crisis.
B. Ms. May reported that a petitioner made a request to the BOCC asking that the HRC
develop a formal process on how they choose speakers for events. HRC members
discussed messages from the BOCC. Dr. Stroman noted that she would contact BOCC
Commissioner Penny Rich for more clarification and expectations of the HRC, and report
back to HRC members.
C. Ms. May reminded newer HRC members of the Fair Housing training on September 21,
2019, from 9am-5pm.
V. Updates
A. Chairperson’s Report – Housing, Education, and Criminal Justice
1. Dr. Stroman reviewed the importance of the HRC working on issues related to
housing, education, or criminal justice.
Dr. Stroman discussed the Hate Free March that was held in the county, and how
that may be something the HRC could respond to.
B. MarComm
1. Dr. Stroman discussed blogging and posting social media are convenient vehicles
to speak on issues in the county. She encouraged members to volunteer to
author blogs or suggested topics to post on social media.
VI. Election of Vice Chair
A. Ms. Spencer nominated and motioned for Ms. Mahaley to be the Vice Chair of the HRC.
Ms. Castillo seconded the motion. All voted in favor of the motion.
VII. Discussion of Process for blog and Social Media Post
A. Mr. James Spivey and Ms. Frances Castillo voiced their concerns on blogs or social media
posts collectively representing the HRC without a collective approval process. Dr.
Stroman suggested making a disclaimer on posts and blogs that reference the author
and their individual thought. She assured HRC members that she will come up with a
process that will satisfy voiced concerns.
VIII. Orange County Racial Justice Convention
A. Dr. Stroman discussed the idea of the HRC hosting a gathering of all individuals and
organizations that participate in social and racial justice work. She explained how this
would give everyone an opportunity to network and to get to know who does what type
of work in the county.
IX. Applications & Recommendations
A. Ms. May notified HRC members that she will be sending HRC applications electronically.
X. HRC Events & Committee Reports
A. Pauli Murray
1. There were no current subcommittee updates. Ms. May noted that due to
change in the HRC members’ roster, that more members are needed for the
subcommittee. Dr. Stroman encouraged others to volunteer for the
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subcommittee. Ms. Castillo agreed to join the committee, but noted that she
will be out of town during the time of the ceremony.
B. Forum
1. Ms. Mahaley suggested that the HRC host a forum on understanding first
amendment rights. She explained that this event could be in response to the
recent KKK sighting in Hillsborough and the Hate Free March. She explained how
the HRC could get a lawyer that specializes in first amendment rights as a
speaker, and facilitate conversations with community members around the first
amendment. HRC members suggested having this event in October 2019. Ms.
May advised that there should be about a month of lead time to plan for a
forum. The subcommittee of Mr. Marc Xavier and Ms. Mahaley will begin
planning for this forum.
C. Community Read
1. Dr. Stroman provided newer members some background on the community read
and past processes. She encouraged HRC members to consider possible books
that can be chosen for the read. Ms. Mahaley suggested having the book read in
March 2020. She suggested choosing a book that was on a lower reading level
for the next read. She suggested that HRC members consider choosing the book
titled Democracy in Chains. She explained that the author, Nancy MacLean, is a
professor at Duke and, as a local author, she may come and speak at the read.
2. Ms. Samantha Beecham, Mr. Spivey, and Ms. Castillo will make up the
subcommittee for the Community Read.
XI. Other Business/Announcements/Upcoming Events
A. Ms. Mahaley discussed the controversy concerning the recent undocumented man
removed from the county’s jail and supports provided to undocumented persons in the
county. Dr. Stroman suggested the HRC invite Sherriff Blackwood to a meeting to
discuss the Sheriff’s department’s stance on this issue. HRC members were in favor of
inviting Sherriff Blackwood.
XII. Adjourn
A. NEXT MEETING: Monday, October 14, 2019 at Link Building
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