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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 24, 2021 Minutes/Meeting Summary Cultural Advisory Committee Wednesday, February 24, 2021 7:00 pm Electronic Meeting – Webex Platform Attendees: D. Ryan, Mayor C.Addo-Bekoe, Manager, People and Culture T.Ryce, Supervisor, Cultural Services K.Williams, Director Public Services, Pickering Public Library Z.Adatia, Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce Member G.Chang-Campbell, Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce Member C.Cooper, Cultural Advisory Committee Member S.Charles-Watson, Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce Member A.Davis, Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce Member D.Davis, Cultural Advisory Committee Stakeholder P.DeWilde, Cultural Advisory Committee Stakeholder R.Diaz-Matus, Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce Member H.Douglas, Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce Member C.Farinha, Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce Member E.Forde, Cultural Advisory Committee Stakeholder M.Francis, Cultural Advisory Committee Stakeholder & PABRT Member D.Governor, Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce Member A.Graham, Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce Member O.Grignon, Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce Member F.Heath, Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce Member S.Hibbert, Pickering Anti-Black Racism Preparatory Sub-committee Member N.Holland, Cultural Advisory Committee Member & PABRT Member A.Laylor, Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce Member C.Mosca, Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce Member A.Moscote Freire, Cultural Advisory Committee Member K.Noronha, Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce Member T.Olanbiwonnu, Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce Member C.Sabean, Cultural Advisory Committee Stakeholder A.Sardar, Cultural Advisory Committee Member N.Sinclair, Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce Member J.Smith, Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce Member B.Sopher, Cultural Advisory Committee Stakeholder A.Vincent, Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce Member D.Poole, Clerk-Typist (Recording Secretary) Guests: Bolu Adefemi Dwayne Morgan Page 1 of 7 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) 1. Dwayne Morgan -Spoken Word Dwayne Morgan, spoken word artist and two-time Canadian National Slam Poetry Champion, recited two poems for the committee. 2. Call to Order C. Addo-Bekoe welcomed everyone in attendance and called the meeting to order at 7:10 pm. 3. Introduction, Meeting Format F. Heath thanked the members of the Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce for being in attendance for the closing meeting of the Preparatory Sub-committee; noting that this meeting is a presentation and overview of the work completed to date. 4. Welcoming Remarks on Behalf of Council Mayor Ryan provided greetings to the members of the Cultural Advisory Committee, Pickering Anti- Black Racism Preparatory Sub-committee and the Pickering Anti-Black Racism on behalf of the members of Council. Mayor Ryan expressed his gratitude to the members of the Pickering Anti-Black Racism Preparatory Sub-committee for all their hard work since last fall to bring us to where we are this evening and pledged to do whatever is necessary to advance the agenda to make meaningful change. 5. Bios Preparatory Sub-committee and Taskforce Members Bios of the Pickering Anti-Black Racism Preparatory Sub-committee members and the Pickering Anti- . Page 2 of 7 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) Black Racism Taskforce members were showcased through a PowerPoint presentation. 6. Background C. Addo-Bekoe and T. Ryce provided a timeline of the key work completed to date by the City with the support of the Cultural Advisory Committee, Council and the Pickering Anti-Black Racism Preparatory Sub-committee towards the creation of the Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce. T. Ryce noted that this meeting will be the closing meeting of the Cultural Advisory Committee’s Pickering Anti-Black Racism Preparatory Sub- committee to receive collective data prior to the first meeting of the Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce. 7. Survey Overview S. Charles-Watson provided an overview of the Pickering Anti-Black Racism survey, which was designed to inform and direct the work of the Taskforce to fulfill its mandate to identify barriers and areas of opportunity in order to enhance the shared experience and opportunities afforded to Black residents. 8. Bolu – Song Bolu Adefemi performed her song “Make it Right”. 9. Work to Date E. Forde provided an overview of the work to date, noting that in August of 2020 Council endorsed a report put forward by staff on behalf of the Cultural Advisory Committee. The report included an Action Plan and draft Terms of Reference for the Taskforce. The Action Plan, which was to be undertaken by a Preparatory Sub-committee, with the support of City Page 3 of 7 Item/ Details & Discussion & Conclusion Action Items/Status Ref # (summary of discussion) (include deadline as appropriate) staff, included the recruitment process, supporting activities, community engagement, and promotions for the period leading up to the appointment of the Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce. The Action Plan identified the creation of resources for use by the Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce. Work was started by the Pickering Anti- Black Racism Preparatory Sub-committee, and will continue with the direction of the taskforce. The Action Plan further identified opportunities to engage the community through a wide spread community call, survey, and round table discussions. The Pickering Anti-Black Racism Preparatory Sub- committee has provided an interim mediation and advocacy role on several occasions including the St. Mary Secondary School yearbook, DRPS Body Worn Camera initiative, local business advocacy/support and developing new opportunities for youth during their tenure. This work will continue with the Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce in place. The Preparatory Sub-committee has worked with City staff to develop and contribute to a video promoting the Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce and their work, along with the upcoming Diversity & Inclusion strategy. As part of the initiative to prepare for, and support, the work of the Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce, Council and the Cultural Advisory Committee supported a component of the Action Plan designed to celebrate of Arts, Culture and Achievement. Following the direction of the Cultural Advisory Committee a total of 25 virtual and limited attendance events/performances have been delivered since July 1, 2020. A new mural by artist Hallie Njorley has been installed at the West Shore Community Centre. In 2021, staff were challenged to further improve the offerings of the summer concert series, and attract Page 4 of 7 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) new applicants to the Pickering performance series. Staff have revised campaigns, placing paid social media ads, targeting online culture-based websites, and print ads in select print publications. The campaign has been redesigned to better position the invitation for applicants and attract new applications. Additionally staff have applied for grant monies, which will allow staff to hire a greater number of professional acts, and provide video production support where needed. 10. Next Steps N. Holland provided an overview of the next steps of the Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce, which focuses on the ongoing work from the Preparatory Sub-committee. The work of the Taskforce will be informed by the results of the survey. Efforts will be guided by the expressed concerns of the Black community in Pickering. Much, or all, of these concerns have been articulated in the mandate of the Taskforce and includes, but is not limited, to:  Providing advocacy and leadership on behalf of the Black community to the City as well as organizations and businesses serving the City of Pickering.  Strengthening and supporting Black-led economic development and Black employment initiatives.  Providing educational resources to build allies within and for the Black community.  Conserving and promoting Black culture, history and heritage.  Ongoing communication with the residents of Pickering to identify existing systemic barriers for Black residents and develop/provide opportunities to address these barriers, provide education, and effect change. Page 5 of 7 Item/ Details & Discussion & Conclusion Action Items/Status Ref # (summary of discussion) (include deadline as appropriate)  Building partnerships and sharing resources with like-minded organizations to maximize benefits.  Engaging stakeholders, businesses, and cultural organizations as partners in the delivery of initiatives. Proposed initiatives include:  The publication of an extensive listing of agencies, organizations, artists and Black owned businesses that serve the Black community on the City’s website. With permission of the artists and organizations, listings can be included in the City website, Cultural portal, and be used as a resource to celebrate Black culture.  Virtual panel discussions and information sessions on issues of health and wellbeing, navigating the school system, education and the path to college and university, legal resources, empowerment sessions for youths, and much more.  Advocacy and partnership opportunities with Durham Regional Police, Durham District School Board, Durham Catholic District School Board and CAS.  Community mediation.  Strike and call for a Youth Led Sub- committee  Engaging non-Black allies. At the first formal meeting, which is scheduled for Wednesday, March 3rd at 7:00 pm, the Taskforce will update the Terms of Reference, as may be applicable, and submit them to the City Clerk for Council approval within one month of the first meeting. Furthermore, the Taskforce will develop an annual action plan for presentation to Council, which identifies primary goals, strategies, implementation schedule, measurement tools, and budgets in response to the goals and objectives of the Taskforce. Page 6 of 7 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) 11. Shakkoi -Spoken Word S. Hibbert recited two pieces of poetry. 12. Closing M. Francis provided closing remarks and thanked everyone involved in the creation and manifestation of the Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce. No further business was conducted resulting in the adjournment of the meeting at 8:40 pm. Meeting Adjourned: 8:40 pm Copy: (Acting) Director, Community Services City Clerk Page 7 of 7