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
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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-
.
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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