HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-08-2021 HRC Minutes t 101. HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
Cultivating Community Through Social Justice
MINUTES
Monday, February 8, 2021
6:00 pm—7:30 pm
Virtual Meeting
via Zoom
MEMBERS PRESENT STAFF
David La Barre Tara May, Civil Rights Specialist
Ellis Driver Melvyn Blackwell, Intake Specialist
Ana Garcia-Turner Annette Moore, Director
Tomeka Ward-Satterfield
Stephanie Harrell
Allison Mahaley
Frances Castillo
Dion Graham
MEMBERS ABSENT
James Spivey(unexcused)
Samantha Beecham (unexcused)
GUESTS
Susan Clifford, HR&R Expediter
I. Call to Order—Frances Castillo, Chair
A. Commissioner Frances Castillo called the meeting to order at 6:05 pm.
II. Welcome & Introductions
III. Minutes Approval —January 11, 2021
A. Commissioner Stephanie Harrell motioned to approve the minutes from the last HRC
meeting. Commissioner Dion Graham seconded the motion. All were in favor of
approving the minutes.
IV. HRC Chair's Report
A. Commissioner Castillo reported that she recently did a radio interview with WCHL to
promote the 2021 Pauli Murray Awards.
B. Commissioner Castillo reminded Commissioners, April is Fair Housing Month and in an
effort to prepare,the Communications Committee will get with Human Rights& Relations
Approved 3/8/2021
(HR&R) staff to create a Facebook campaign to promote Fair Housing and Fair Housing
rights in relation to COVID-19.
C. Commissioner Castillo mentioned a suggestion that was made by Commissioner Ana
Garcia-Turner on working with the schools in Orange County and possibly having a Pauli
Murray lesson plan in their curriculum to engage more students in the future.
Commissioner Harrell will reach out to University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC)
World History Program, Carolina K-12, and the Equity Officers for the schools to explore
this possibility.
D. Commissioners agreed to have Commissioner Harrell provide a Communications update
prior to Ms. Annette Moore providing County Updates because she is planning to leave
the meeting early (see IX. C.)
V. County Updates
A. Ms. Moore introduced HR&R staff, Susan Clifford, and her role as an Expediter. She
explained how she connects residents to services as a part of the Eviction Diversion
Program.
B. Ms. Moore discussed the County's new non-discrimination ordinance that added
protections like public accommodations. She noted that this initiative was a hot topic at
the recent County Attorney Conference. She reported that BOCC Chair has requested her
to work on a "Protect the Crown" ordinance. She explained this ordinance will provide
protections of discrimination based on hair.
VI. Review BOCC Social Justice Goals
A. Commissioner Castillo discussed the HRC's role in reviewing the Social Justice Goals
(SJGs). Ms.Tara May shared her screen via Zoom and presented Commissioners with the
SJGs.
B. Ms. Moore requested for the Commissioners to be mindful of how the principle of
applying the SJGs are similar to the Government Alliance on Race & Equity (GARE)
mythology. She explained that the GARE mythology is being incorporated on a
countywide level. She explained how the County is developing a Racial Equity Plan,which
may supersede the principle of applying the SJGs. Commissioner Dion Graham expressed
concern about implementation of equity on policies. Ms. Moore commented that the
GARE mythology concentrates on implementing racial equity on policy more so than the
SJGs.
C. There was a Commissioner consensus for HRC members to work with HR&R staff to
become familiar with and adopt the GARE model. The concentration will be more on this
and the Countywide Racial Equity Plan, than on the SJGs.
VII. HRC Retreat
A. Commissioner Castillo suggested that April or May 2021 maybe good months to have the
retreat. Ms. May will send out a doodle poll to HRC members to figure out best dates to
have the retreat.
Approved 3/8/2021
Vill. Outside Agency Funding Process
A. Commissioner Castillo reminded HRC members of the applications Ms. May sent shortly
after the last HRC meeting. She reminded HRC members to submit their scores to Ms.
May. Ms. May noted how the applications were sent to the HRC sooner than in previous
years and the importance of their feedback and engagement in this process. HRC
members will submit their scores to Ms. May by February 22, 2021.
IX. HRC Events & Committee Reports
A. Community Conversation
1. Commissioner Tomeka Ward-Satterfield reported the event date is set for March
21, 2021 at 3pm. She noted how there are five (5) community members that have
committed to be a part of a panel discussion. After the discussion, the plan is to
create break out rooms for people to talk and share their thoughts. She explained
how a HRC member would lead/facilitate breakout rooms and report out to the
larger group. Ms. May shared her screen via Zoom and showed HRC members the
flier for the event. Mr. Melvyn Blackwell suggested incorporating Google
Jamboard into the programming. Commissioner Ward-Satterfield explained how
the sub-committee plans to test out Jamboard and Mentimeter applications at
their next meeting.
B. Pauli Murray Awards
1. Commissioner Allison Mahaley reported that she missed the last sub-committee
meeting. She reminded members that the event is coming up on February 28,
2021 and that the speaker will be Nikki Giovanni. She encouraged the HRC
members to keep promoting.
2. Commissioner Castillo announced that she found a young poet to perform for
the event. She noted that the poet is from Orange County. She will provide Ms.
May with the poet's information.
3. Once the award winners are chosen, Ms. May will have a flier created and share
it with the HRC.
C. Communications Committee
1. Commissioner Harrell reported how the committee came up with strategies for
outreach and brainstormed on how to do outreach to individuals that are not
online or are not internet savvy. She explained that she reached out to the head
of the North Orange NAACP and Ms. Latarndra Strong.
2. Commissioner Ellis Driver noted that they reached out to the FFA and Orange
County 4-H, and they facilitated a public service announcement (PSA) with UNC
radio station.
3. Commissioner David LaBarre noted that he has reached out to the athletic
associations but has not received a response. He also noted that he was not able
to make contact with anyone from Meals on Wheels. He reported that he has
been in talks with a Durham HRC member and has learned that other HRCs are
having the same issue(s) of how to conduct meaningful outreach in the social
distance era.
Approved 3/8/2021
D. Board Diversity
1. Commissioner Graham reported that the sub-committee plans to meet next
week.
2. Commissioner Garcia-Turner noted that the sub-committee could use at least
one more member (to make a 4-member sub-committee). She encouraged HRC
members to join.
E. Community Read
1. Commissioner Castillo explained what the Community Read is to the newest HRC
members, and she reflected on the recent HRC Community Read. She inquired if
any HRC member had any literary suggestions or if anyone would like to be on
the committee. Commissioners Castillo, Mahaley, and Driver volunteered to be
on the sub-committee.
2. Commissioner Castillo will reach out to Commissioner James Spivey and see if he
would like to be on the sub-committee.
X. Other Business/Announcement/Upcoming Events
XI. Adjourn
A. Commissioner Castillo adjourned the meeting.
B. NEXT VIRTUAL MEETING: March 8, 2020, call-in info to come
Approved 3/8/2021