HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-02-10Clarftwn
Clarington Anti -Black Racism Subcommittee
Wednesday, February 10, 2021, 6:00 PM
Microsoft Teams
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Present:
Erin Boyd
Councillor Ron Hooper
Meera McDonald
Lauren Reyes -Grange (until 6:45 p.m.)
Rochelle Thomas
Rachel Traore (until approximately 6:30 p.m.)
Also Present:
Erica Mittag - Community Development Coordinator, Municipality of Clarington
Samantha Aitken - Public Service Coordinator, Clarington Public Library
Regrets:
Angela Todd -Anderson
1. Land Acknowledgement
Meera McDonald shared the Land Acknowledgement Statement.
2. Update on Virtual Event
Erica and Samantha provided an update on the planned virtual event, on behalf of
Angela who was unable to attend the meeting. The event, Clarington Comes
Together: Join the Conversation to Support and Learn about our Black
Community, will be a forum for residents to engage in very important conversations
surrounding resources and challenges for our Black community regarding education
and career development, mental health and policing. Angela has connected with and
confirmed some speakers for each area: Allison Hector -Alexander, Director, Office of
Student Diversity, Inclusion and Transitions at Durham College, Sophia Bishop, (title
and organization being confirmed) and a representative from Durham Police Services
Diversity and Inclusion team. It will be held virtually on Wednesday, March 31, 2021
from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Clarington Public Library will be hosting registration
through Eventbrite and the Zoom platform. Registration will be required and
attendees will submit any questions for the speakers upon registration. Rachel and
Angela could act as moderators of the session. Samantha and the team at
Clarington Public Library will be drafting a poster to promote the event. She will
follow up with Angela for some information to be included.
3. Update on Anti -Racism Policy and Anti -Black Racism Strategy
Meera had shared a draft Anti -Racism Policy and Anti -Black Racism Strategy with the
group for comments and suggestions.
Action Item: Members are encouraged to share feedback with Meera at next meeting.
Meera suggested that the next step in the Strategy would be to create deliverables and
action items for each area and develop a timeline for implementation (approximately 2
to 3 years). Rochelle had some suggestions for additional categories within the
Strategy: Local Partnerships and Tools & Resources.
Action Item: Meera, Rochelle and Lauren will meet offline to build out the policy and
strategy.
4. Update on Social Media Calendar
In August the subcommittee formalized 3 pillars, or you could call mission, for this
subcommittee. These are:
1. Developing a Social Media Calendar
2. Developing a Training Program for Municipal staff and the community
3. Developing an Anti -Racism policy
Social Media Plan
• Completed the Social Media Campaign map of events/activities
• Presented the plan to the Diversity Advisory Committee for approval. It was
approved
• Information has been shared with the Communications department
• One of the items from the Social Media Plan is to organize a virtual event. Erica
just provided us with an update on the event.
Training
Draft for the Expression of Interest for training has been created
The subcommittee provided our feedback during our December meeting
The application to the Community Support Multiculturalism and Anti -Racism
Initiatives (CSMARI) Project fund requested funds to supplement the
development of the training program, as well as a community networking
component. Should we not be successful in funding through this program, we
will move forward with the existing funds.
Policy
• Anti -racism policy has been drafted and has been shared with the sub committee
for feedback/comments
• Anti -black racism strategy was created for feedback
Other items
Submitting the funding application. Thank you everyone who reached out to various
community partners so that Erica was able to submit the application for the
Community Support, Multiculturalism and Anti -Racism Initiative Program. Deadline
for that was January 12tn
5. Business Spotlight
To move the "Business Spotlight" initiative forward, Erica suggested that the
subcommittee consider partnership with the Clarington Board of Trade and Clarington
Tourism. City of Oshawa launched a drive for Black History Month to engage with
Oshawa based Black -owned businesses; through this connection they were able to
offer free membership to Malcolm's Choice, an online directory of Black -owned
businesses. This was offered by the owner of Malcolm's Choice. Erica will connect
with City of Oshawa to determine how this directory is maintained, as the challenge will
be supporting the addition of businesses and making sure the directory is current.
Action Item: Erica to connect with Clarington Board of Trade, Clarington Tourism and
local Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) to inquire about partnership for this initiative.
Erica will also follow up with Malcolm's Choice about similar extension of membership
offer (as shared by City of Oshawa).
6. Other Business
Erica shared the Communitv Development Council of Durham — Durham Black
Community Lens with the group.
February has been proclaimed Black History Month in the Municipality of Clarington.
A flag raising may be arranged; Erica will advise of date once / if confirmed.
Next meeting: Wednesday, March 10, 6:00 p.m.
Virtually — Microsoft Teams
Action Item Description
Who?
Notes / Follow up
Share process for requesting book club
Samantha
books
Regional connection of similar groups.
Erica
Erica to share more information when
available.
Members are encouraged to share
All
feedback on policy and strategy with
Meera at next meeting.
Build out policy and strategy documents.
Meera, Rochelle
Erica can support
and Lauren
as well
Investigate partnerships for Business
Erica
Spotlight