Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-09-10If this information is required in an alternate format, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator at 905-623-3379 ext. 2131 1 Anti-Black Racism Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Wednesday, September 10, 2025 Online via MS Teams Clarington ABRAC Members: Angela Anderson (Chair) Lauren Reyes-Grange (Vice-Chair) Jaslin Browne Jodie Glean Joseph Adesanya Nadia Nembhard-Hunt Umwali Sauter (Lakeridge Health) Regrets: Councillor Llyod Rang Hawa Mire Stephanie Innocent (CDCD) Also Present: Jeannette Whynot – Staff Liaison Nirosha Balakumar – Supervisor, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. 1. Welcome and Introductions A. Anderson welcomed and introduced Nirosha Balakumar as the new Staff Laision. N. Balakumar introduced herself to the committee and shared that going forward she will be the staff liaison for this committee and the Diversity Advisory Committee (DAC). She also shared that the IDEA Office will be undergoing a rebranding and going forward it will be the DEI Office. L. Reyes-Grange inquired about the decision to rebrand IDEA to DEI. N. Balakumar advised she could follow up with additional information on the change later if the committee was interested in discussing it further. 2. Land Acknowledgment Statement A. Anderson shared a land acknowledgment statement. 3. Declarations of Interest 2 No declarations of interest were made. 4. Review and approval of June 4, 2025 meeting minutes Moved by L. Reyes-Grange; seconded by J. Adesanya. That the minutes of the June 4, 2025, meeting be approved as presented. Carried. 5. Workplan Development Workshop The workplan development workshop was led by N. Balakumar. The committee was presented with the summarized workplan survey responses that were sent to members in the summer. Committee members discussed the proposed initiatives for each key theme (Advocacy and Relationship Building, Public Awareness and Education, and Business Support). After the presentation and initial discussion, members were asked to vote on their preferred activity for each key theme. A draft workplan was adjusted based on the committee’s decisions. Although not every item was included in this workplan, members understood that this workplan focused on achievable goals within their term and there is flexibility to refine/expand initiatives as needed. Moved by L. Reyes-Grange; seconded by J. Glean That the Anti-Black Racism Advisory Committee adopt the workplan. Carried. The approved Committee workplan can be found in Appendix A. Workplan implementation planning will begin at the October meeting. 6. Adjournment Moved by L. Reyes-Grange; seconded by J. Glean That the meeting be adjourned. The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m. Next Meeting: Wednesday, October1, 2025, at 7:30pm (virtual) If this information is required in an alternate format, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator at 905-623-3379 ext. 2131 3 Appendix A ABRAC Workplan 2025-26 Public Education and Awareness Initiative Description Timeline Working Group Members Community conversations Host conversation style sessions to hear from local Black residents on anti-Black racism and other lived experiences. Business Support Initiative Description Timeline Working Group Members Continue & Grow the Black Vendor Village Continue and grow the BVV with expanded outreach, diverse activities and strategic partnerships with community organizations Clarington Black- Owned Business Directory Build and promote a Black-owned business directory that could support spotlighting local Black business owners 4 Advocacy and Relationship Building Initiative Description Timeline Working Group Members Invite Community Partners to ABRAC Meetings Invite community partners such as school boards, Region of Durham, DRPS and Lakeridge Health to ABRAC monthly meetings to discuss challenges, opportunities and build relationships Support Local Black Students Development of a framework to support Black students with a focus on mentorship, co-ops, scholarships and bursaries.