HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.28.23 - Minutes (FINAL) 4CHUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
Cultivating Community Through Social Justice
MINUTES
Tuesday, March 28, 2023
6:00 pm —7:30 pm
Virtual Meeting via Zoom
https://orangecountync.zoom.us/m/85782134210
MEMBERS PRESENT STAFF
Jenn Sykes Melvyn Blackwell, Civil Rights Specialist
Josh Ravitch Courtney McLaughlin, Community Engagement& Outreach
Coordinator
Ruby Garcia Shameka Fairbanks, Chief Equity& Human Rights Officer
Nathalie Volkheimer
Jameelah Merritt
Lynn McGee
Anjail Taylor
MEMBERS ABSENT
Allison Mahaley
Ana Garcia-Turner
I. Call to Order I Commissioner Mahaley, Chair
A. The meeting was called to order at 6:03 p.m.
II. Introductions
A. All present commissioners and staff introduce themselves
III. Minutes Approval I February 28, 2023 & March 28, 2023
A. Minutes unavailable. Will be reviewed in the April meeting.
IV. Executive Committee Report
A. Letter from a Birmingham City Jail — Poetry Slam on April 19, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. at the Arts
Mill that is being co-sponsored by the Orange County Arts Commission & the Orange
County Community Remembrance Coalition
B. Research Triangle High School Proposal — Commissioner Mahaley would like the HRC to
discuss the charter school that is being proposed to be established in Northern Orange
County. Expresses concerns that the charter proposal does not appear to be in alignment
with the expressed Social Justice goals of the County. Request Commissioners to consider
drafting a letter to the Board of County Commissioners to address these concerns.
i. Commissioner Fath moves that the Commission allows Commissioner Mahaley to
draft a letter that she will then share appropriately with the rest of the
commissioner for feedback and suggestions—though not binding and that
Commissioner Mahaley be authorized to speak on behalf of the Commission to the
Board of County Commissioners in April. Motion second by Commissioner McGee.
All in favor. Motion passes.
V. County Updates
A. Statewide Human Relations Commission—Interested in reestablishing the Annual National
Association of Human Rights Workers summit to bring human rights workers together.
B. Intake Specialist — Interviews will be conducted in mid-April and the Office hopes to have
someone onboarded or announced by the end of April.
C. Countywide Strategic Plan — consultant team has been contracted to lead strategic plan
efforts. The office is seeking community partnerships to support this process.
VI. Future Proclamations
A. Consideration of proclamations to be developed and coordinated in 2-3 months before
recognition. Commissioner Volkheimer pulled together a list of potential items to consider
for proclamation drafting.
VI 1. HRC Events &Committee Reports
A. Committee Report
i. Communication I Commissioner Volkheimer
1. Commissioner Volkheimer encourages Commissioners to follow the page.
Seeks to positively highlight the diversity of Orange County. Sent forward
the post to Commissioners in advance to receive feedback.
ii. Freedom Celebration I Commissioner Sykes
1. Commissioner Sykes has sent forward a listing of events that have already
been slotted for the June and July celebration. Considering whether or not
to sponsor the events that will be happening. Request budget projections
to know what they can do with regard to event sponsorship.
iii. Community Read I (Commissioner Garcia)
1. Commissioner Garcia has received information from Commissioner
Mahaley about past community reads. Orange County Public Library has
provided information about available book kits. Request budget projections
to know if they can purchase books for the book read and to provide
refreshments.
iv. Pauli Murray Award Reflections
1. No discussion. Discussed in February monthly meeting.
VIII. Commissioner Check-in (2 mins each)
A. Other Business/Announcement/Upcoming Event
i. Community Dinner - will be held April 30, 2023. Commissioner Sykes reminds the
Commission to purchase tickets.
ii. Fair Housing Month — Orange County is celebrating the 55th Commemoration of
the Fair Housing Act of 1968
iii. Reflections on the Civil Rights Movement — Office of Equity & Inclusion will be
partnering with the Library for a discussion of the Letter from a Birmingham City
Jail on April 11, 2023, at 7:00 p.m.
iv. Mount Bright Baptist Church — Book read being held on the title "Finding Joy on
Death Row" at the Purple Crow in Hillsborough.
IX. Adjourn
A. Motion to adjourn by Commissioner Volkheimer. Second by Commissioner Ravitch. All in
favor. Motion passes.
NEXT MEETING: April 25, 2023, on Zoom
(https://orangecountVnc.zoom.us/j/83832021326?pwd=OFdLT2FINlZYUENmZnl2ZlBTTEJUZz09)