HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-05-12Clarington
Clarington Anti -Black Racism Subcommittee
Wednesday, May 12, 2021, 6:00 PM
Microsoft Teams
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Present:
Councillor Ron Hooper
Jasmyne Julien
Meera McDonald
Hawa Mire
Lauren Reyes -Grange
Rochelle Thomas
Angela Todd -Anderson
Also Present:
Allison Hector -Alexander, Region of Durham
Erica Mittag - Municipality of Clarington
Melissa Redden - Clarington Public Library
Regrets:
Rachel Traore
1. Land Acknowledgement
Meera McDonald shared the Land Acknowledgement Statement.
2. Welcome & Introductions
Members provided introductions and welcomed Hawa who had reached out and was
interested in joining the Subcommittee. Meera also welcomed Melissa Redden,
Clarington Public Library, who attended until Samantha Aitken's replacement is on
board. Samantha Li will join us at upcoming meetings to represent Clarington Public
Library.
3. Review of Previous Meeting Notes
The notes of the meeting of April 14, 2021 were reviewed.
Review of Agenda
No updates were received for the agenda.
4. Collaboration with Region of Durham — Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Meera introduced and welcomed Allison Hector -Alexander, Director, Diversity, Equity
and Inclusion, who joined the meeting to discuss opportunities for collaboration. Meera
provided an overview of the Committee and Subcommittee work to date.
Allison shared her priorities and deliverables from the Region. Recently, a terms of
reference for an Anti -Racism Task Force has been presented to the Finance and
Administration Committee at the Region, to be approved by Council towards the end of
May. The task force would ensure the Durham Region is successful in its
implementation of an anti -racism framework to address systemic racism. The
implementation plans would be built on the lived experiences and includes the voices of
racialized communities. Some of the deliverables to build this strategy include training,
policy review, safe spaces (following the recommendations from the consultant's
report). Recruitment for task force members will occur across the Region.
The work would be supported by an internal staff team as they expand the scope of the
current Inclusive Durham team. They will look to see how they can coordinate
resources, collaborate and how to best leverage the resources. Will look at 2021
census data to compare to the composition of Durham Region staff.
The Region has successfully rolled out anti -Black racism training for leaders and have
offered small group "let's talk" sessions which have allowed a safe space for discussion
of various topics.
Some future action items may include support for Black -owned businesses, mentorship
/ internship opportunities, support for small businesses for anti -racism. Meera thanked
Allison for sharing with the group this evening and they look forward to future
collaboration.
5. Anti -Racism Policy and Anti -Black Racism Strategy
Rochelle shared that the Anti -Black Racism Strategy is approximately 60% complete.
She shared some slides that include an overview of the draft strategy. The slides were
well received by all. Rochelle will continue to update and will share at an upcoming
meeting.
Meera and Erica are working to update the wording regarding symbols of hate within
the draft Anti -Racism Policy that Meera is working on. The draft policy will be shared at
an upcoming meeting.
5. Other Business
Meera shared that she will be meeting with Joe Solway, Bowmanville Rotary, to discuss
their diversity and inclusion initiatives.
Next meeting: Wednesday, June 9, 6:00 p.m.
Virtually — Microsoft Teams
Action Item •
•
•
Could minutes and agendas of
Erica
Completed
subcommittees be linked on the Diversity
Advisory Committee page.
Regional connection and collaboration
Erica
Erica to create a database
with similar groups.
of contacts for regional
committees and
grassroots organizations
Members are encouraged to share
Meera,
To provide update at May
feedback on policy and strategy with
Rochelle
12, 2021 meeting
Meera at next meeting.
and Lauren
Build out policy and strategy documents.
Meera,
Erica can support as well
Rochelle
and Lauren
Investigate partnerships for Business
Erica
Meeting with Clarington
Spotlight
Board of Trade in June
2021