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Home My WebLink About2025-11-06If 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 Thursday, November 6, 2025 Online via MS Teams Clarington ABRAC Members: A. Anderson (Chair) A. Phillips H. Mire J. Browne J. Glean L. Reyes-Grange U. Sauter Absent: Councillor Rang J. Adesanya N. Nembhard-Hunt S. Innocent T. Ologun-Kolawole Also Present: N. Balakumar - Supervisor, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion M. Nelles – Digital Media Specialist, Communications Division The Meeting was called to order at 7:40pm. 1. Land Acknowledgement A. Anderson shared a land acknowledgement statement. 2. Declaration of Interest No declaration of interest by members. 3. Review and Approval of Agenda A. Anderson added a discussion on online hateful activity under “Other Business.” Moved by L. Reyes-Grange; seconded by J. Browne. 2 That the agenda be approved as presented with one addition. 4. Review and Approval of September 10, 2025 and October 1, 2025 Meeting Minutes Moved by L. Reyes-Grange; seconded by J. Browne. That the minutes from September 10, 2025 and October 1, 2025, for the ABRAC meeting, be approved as presented. 5. New Members and Roundtable Introduction Members and guests introduced themselves, including new member A. Phillips. Guests included M. Nelles (Communications Division). 6. Presentation: Communications Social Media Audit Survey M. Nelles presented on the upcoming social media audit survey. It was shared with the Committee that the Municipality will be conducting a social media audit in partnership with a consultant. The goal is to assess current performance, identify gaps, and develop a more inclusive and accessible social media strategy. The Communications Division would like to gather feedback from the municipal advisory committees to understand how municipal social media can better reflect the diversity of the community. Survey responses will be anonymously and will inform the wider social media strategy. If members have completed the survey via another committee, there is no need to repeat. N. Balakumar to share the survey link. 7. ABRAC Workplan Review & Subcommittee Planning All five initiatives outlined in the ABRAC Workplan were discussed. Committee members determined proposed timelines for each initiative and identified volunteers for each sub- committee. Subcommittees to meet at least once before the December meeting. Black Vendor Village (BVV) Planning for the 2026 Black Vendor Village has started and the event date is under review due to conflict with another large Black History Month event in Durham. The tentative new date is February 21, 2026. Performers outreach is currently underway, 3 and vendor applications are to launch before the holidays. Subcommittee members will join the wider planning committee, with the first meeting being the week of November 17, 2025. N.Balakumar to reach out to those involved in the BVV subcommittee. Community Conversations The subcommittee will work towards hosting topic-based community conversations catered to different groups within the Black community (ie. Black parents, Black business owners). The tentative first session is the end of January 2026. Black-Owned Business Directory Building on the Black Vendor Village (BVV), The subcommittee will aim to create a local directory of Black businesses in Clarington. As vendor applications will be going out for BVV in the next month, there was a suggestion to explore adding a piece on the vendor application form where businesses can express interest in being included in future opportunities such as the directory. Inviting Community Partners The subcommittee will be planning quarterly invitations for community partners such as Region of Durham, DRPS, DDSB and Lakeridge Health to attend ABRAC meetings and share knowledge and resources on requested topics. The Municipality can assist with outreach and logistics to help facilitate these connections and presentations. Supporting Black Students The subcommittee will focus on developing a scholarship framework which will explore opportunities for mentorship and co-op. There will be a focus on sustainability and long- term impact, recognizing that it may be a multi-phased approach, with the mentorship and co-op components coming after. The aim is for an initial financial scholarship launch for Spring/Summer 2026. 8. Other Business The committee discussed hateful and divisive online activity targeting committee work. Concerns around the safety and well-being of volunteers was raised. N.Balakumar to escalate concerns to leadership and explore safeguarding options. An update will follow. 9. Adjournment Moved by J. Browne; seconded by L. Reyes-Grange. 4 That the meeting be adjourned. Next Meeting: Thursday, December 4, 2025, at 7:30pm (virtual)