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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-01-13Clarington Clarington Anti -Black Racism Subcommittee Wednesday, January 13, 2021, 6:00 PM Microsoft Teams If this information is required in an alternate format, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator at 905-623-3379 ext 2131 Present: Councillor Ron Hooper Meera McDonald Rochelle Thomas Angela Todd -Anderson Rachel Traore Also Present: Erica Mittag - Community Development Coordinator, Municipality of Clarington Samantha Aitken - Public Service Coordinator, Clarington Public Library Regrets: Erin Boyd Lauren Reyes -Grange 1. Land Acknowledgement Meera McDonald read the Land Acknowledgement Statement. 2. Update on Virtual Event Samantha shared that the team at the Clarington Public Library & Museums have approved partnering to offer a virtual event — panel discussion to recognize Black History Month. Timing was discussed and Wednesday, March 31, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. was chosen (with a back-up of Wednesday, March 24). This way the event can be promoted properly and speakers can be engaged without conflicting with many other events taking place throughout the month of February. Rachel suggested Cristal Hines from Durham Black Accountability Coalition as a possible speaker and offered to speak as well. Meera suggested the Rachel could be the moderator for the event. Angela, Samantha and Erica to meet offline to discuss further planning. Samantha shared that the Clarington Public Library & Museums is a partner with Durham Libraries, and they have partnered on a virtual event being held Sunday, February 28 in the afternoon. This event has a focus on youth — events of 2020, effects on mental health, social life, jobs. They will look at where do they go from here. Speakers are being confirmed. Angela, through the Congress of Black Women of Ontario, is also involved in this initiative. 3. Update on CSMARI funding application Erica provided on an update on the application to the Community Support Multiculturalism Anti -Racism Initiatives — Project Stream funding application. It was submitted ahead of the deadline on Tuesday, January 12. Letters of support were received from 6 organizations / institutions which was overwhelming. This funding would supplement the money allocated by Council for anti -racism initiatives for the Diversity Advisory Committee. 4. Anti -Black Racism Strategy and Policy Update Meera has reviewed the policies of the Municipality of Clarington shared by Erica as well as policies found in other municipalities. She has drafted an Anti -Racism Policy based on the municipal policies and has addressed gaps that she found in her review. Meera also drafted an Anti -Black Racism Strategy. Both documents will be shared with the minutes of this meeting for the members to review. 5. Other Business The Whitby Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee is hosting a webinar on Thursday, January 21 at 6:30 p.m. (virtually). Webinar: What is Unconscious Bias and Why Does it Matter? Free to attend, pre -registration required. The Pervasive Reality of Anti -Black Racism in Canada is an article that examines the current state of anti -Black racism in Canada and contains data and information from the Greater Toronto Area. Lauren could not attend the meeting but requested an update on the following items: • Social media editorial — this action item is on Erica's list to-do. She will be collecting the required information to share with Communications in order to be included in the social media content. • Engage Campaign progress — Erica will bring engagement stats back to the next meeting. It was suggested that if members have stories to share, they should do so through the Engage Clarington page as the first story is needed with hopes of prompting others to follow. • Update on Symbols of hate — The motion (attached to minutes) from Council was passed at the December 14, 2020 Council meeting and the Diversity Advisory Committee has not met since. It will be an item on their agenda for their January 28, 2021 meeting to review a joint statement on symbols of hate. Next meeting: Wednesday, February 10, 6:00 p.m. Virtually — Microsoft Teams Action Item Description Who? Notes / Follow up Could the Library host a virtual event? Samantha Angela and Erica to meet offline to bring back details to next meeting Share process for requesting book club Samantha books Terms of Reference to be shared with Erica / Meera / DAC for review and approval Rachel Regional connection of similar groups. Erica Erica to share more information when available. Black History Month — share ideas around All programming activity suggestions, books, authors for the Library to recognize Black History Month