HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-01-10Clarington Anti-Black Racism Task Force
Wednesday January 10, 2024, 7:00 PM
Microsoft Teams
If this information is required in an alternate format, please contact the IDEA Officer
at 905-623-3379 ext 2563
Present:
Pranay Gunti
Angela Anderson
Rochelle Thomas
Joseph Adesanya
Nadia Nembhard-Hunt
Also Present:
Pinder DaSilva – Municipality of Clarington
Samantha Aitken - Clarington Library, Museum & Archives
Regrets:
Lauren Reyes-Grange
Aaliyah Ruddock
Hawa Mire (maternity leave)
Absent:
Carlene Honigan
1. Land Acknowledgement
Read by Joe
2. Welcome
Joe thanked everyone for their time and contributions to the committee and the
meetings.
3. Review of Agenda
No declaration of interest by any committee members.
4. Review & approval of previous meeting minutes (December 6, 2023)
Motion to adopt minutes put forward by Pranay; seconded by Rochelle
Carried
5. Black History Month Update – provided by Pinder
Region of Durham
Black History Month Celebration – The Region, in partnership with various
municipalities across Durham (including Clarington) will be hosting a Panel
Discussion event on Feb 1st in Pickering at Chestnut Hill Developments
Recreation complex from 6 to 8 pm. Registration is open.
Clarington
• Pinder is coordinating a staff Lunch and Learn for municipal and library
staff.
• The planning committee for the Black Vendor Village is scheduled to
meet after this meeting so will have more information at next meeting.
• Library will also be hosting a film screening; Sam had sent out some
movie recommendations and is interested in hearing feedback from the
committee members which movie to select.
o Plan is to watch the movie and then host a discussion session.
The Library is open to having one of the members of the
committee facilitate the discussion but if no one is available then
Library staff will do so.
o Hosting the movie on one night only given the short turnaround
time but is open to doing more than one if needed.
o Looking at films under 2 hours so would have time to have the
screening plus the discussion.
o Members asked if the Library could consider hosting the event
on the weekend, potentially a Sunday. Sam indicated that the
Library would be open to doing that.
o Action – Sam will send more details for each film and will
provide a deadline as to when confirmation is needed by. She
will also include potential dates in the email. Committee
members are to respond with their recommendations.
6. Review 2023 Month over Month action items
Committee went through the incomplete action items and moved them to the 2024
work plan.
Discussed why the “support a local business” section was updated on the Anti-racism
webpage. Explained that by including only certain businesses on the webpage, it
may seem that the municipality was endorsing one business over another . As that
webpage is the “anti-racism and anti-discrimination” landing page, we would need to
include more than just businesses owned by the Black residents of the community
and doing that would become very difficult to manage and maintain. The committee
members agreed.
7. 2024 Work Plan
The committee will review the work plan and discuss at the next meeting. Motion to
endorse the workplan will be put forward at that time.
8. Pinder’s Updates:
In previous committee meeting minutes, it was indicated that members were interested
in finding out how Clarington could be part of the 211ON racism reporting initiative.
Pinder followed up with 211ON. Was advised that this particular initiative is in the
preliminary stages – currently developing a draft concept for a community-based racism
reporting and referral service with 211.
211ON has completed consultations with London, Ottawa, and Kingston municipalities.
They will be piloting the project in 2-3 communities in 2024.
If Clarington is interested, it would not be until 2025 and approval would depend on
funding they receive – 211ON is aware that Clarington would be interested.
9. Other Business
Motion to adjourn meeting put forward by Rochelle and seconded by Joe.
Carried
Next meeting: Wednesday February 7th, 2024, at 7:00 p.m.