HomeMy WebLinkAboutJanuary 8, 2026Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce
Meeting Minutes
Electronic Meeting
January 08, 2026 - 07:00 PM
Present:
D. David
D. Dill
A. Fraser
P. Martin
S. Mascoll
O. Williams
A. MacGillivray, Council & Committee Coordinator (Recording Secretary)
K. Roberts, Manager, Cultural Services
J. Wallace, Supervisor, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
D. Yew Woon, Community Engagement Coordinator, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
Regrets:
Z. Donaldson
V. Shaw
Call to Order/Roll Call
D. David called the meeting to order and read the Land Acknowledgement.
Review and Approval of Agenda
Moved By Odessa Williams
Seconded By Donovan Dill
That the Agenda for the January 8, 2026 Meeting of the Pickering Anti-Black Racism
Taskforce Meeting be approved.
Carried
Disclosure of Interest
No disclosures of interest were noted.
Adoption of Minutes
1.
2.
3.
4.
1
Meeting Minutes, November 6, 2025
Moved By Sharleen Mascoll
Seconded By Donovan Dill
That the Minutes of the November 6, 2025 Meeting of the Pickering Anti-Black
Racism Taskforce be approved.
Carried
Presentations
Patricia Huntsman, Patricia Huntsman Culture + Communication
Re: City of Pickering Cultural and Strategic Plan
Krystal Roberts, Manager, Cultural Services gave a brief introduction.
Laurel Lawry and Erin MacDonald, Patricia Huntsman Culture + Communication
provided an overview of the City of Pickering Cultural and Strategic Plan Review
and Update project.
Discussion ensued with the Taskforce discussing:
whether the Taskforce could obtain a copy of the slide deck;•
the need for equitable and easy to access funding could be made available for
small cultural groups;
•
the need to help cultural groups be better oriented with the City's Request for
Proposal process;
•
the need to increase the profile of the Pickering Museum Village;•
the need to tell the story of Black artists in Pickering through permanent
installations, rather than temporary installations;
•
the need to better communication to the community regarding cultural
initiatives;
•
the need for additional staff resources for the City's Events and Culture Team;
and,
•
the need to evaluate cultural initiatives to measure engagement and impact
based on community feedback.
•
City Staff to provide a copy of the slide deck to the Taskforce for their
reference.
4.1
5.
5.1
Pickering Anti Black Racism Taskforce Meeting Minutes
January 08, 2026
2
Delegations
There were no delegations.
General Business
City Update: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
D. Yew Woon spoke to the updates regarding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the
City, including the selection of the consultant for the Consultation and Co-Design:
Anti-Black Racism Strategy Project to be submitted to Council for approval and the
new applications received for Taskforce vacancies.
Discussion ensued regarding the Taskforce needing involvement in the recruitment
and orientation process for new Members.
D. Yew Woon provided further updates including:
Tamil Heritage Month Celebration happening on January 18, 2026 from 2:00
pm - 6:00 pm at Chestnut Hill Development Recreation Complex;
•
Durham Region Black History Month Celebration happening on February 3,
2026 from 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm in Ajax;
•
The City's Black History Month Lunch and Learn in partnership with the
Melanin Skate Crew; and,
•
the Taskforce's Work Plan and the need to coordinate of the Taskforce's
signature events and partnerships.
•
Discussion between D. Yew Woon and the Taskforce ensued regarding the planned
submission the Taskforce's Year End Report and Work Plan to Council in March
2026 and the Taskforce's budget allocation and the anticipation that it would remain
the same in 2026.
Executive Update: Budget
Update regarding the Budget was provided under Item 7.1.
Subcommittee Updates
Consultation and Co-Design: Anti-Black Racism Strategy RFP
Process
6.
7.
7.1
7.2
7.3
7.3.1
Pickering Anti Black Racism Taskforce Meeting Minutes
January 08, 2026
3
Update regarding the Consultation and Co-Design: Anti-Black Racism
Strategy RFP Process was provided under Item 7.1.
Community Engagement
A. Fraser briefly spoke to the Taskforce's preparation for Black History
Month Events happening across Durham including the Black Experience
Town Hall, Black Health Week, Together We Rise, and various others.
Communication
The Taskforce briefly discussed Marketing and Promotional material
including the purchase of post cards for events and the need to examine
the Taskforce's inventory of material.
2025 Recap of Activities
D. David provided a high level overview of the various events that the Taskforce
was involved in and provided an update on the Durham Black History Month Event.
She explained that the event was being held at Milestone Ministries in Ajax with the
theme: Legacy Ignites the Path for Youth to Lead the Future.
PABRT Work Plan
Update regarding the PABRT Work Plan was provided under Item 7.1.
PABRT Executive Nominations and Membership
D. David thanked O. Williams for stepping up for the Executive Team.
2026 Planning
2026 Black History Month
Update regarding the 2026 Black History Month was provided under Item
7.1 and 7.4.
Correspondence
There was no correspondence.
Other Business
7.3.2
7.3.3
7.4
7.5
7.6
7.7
7.7.1
8.
9.
Pickering Anti Black Racism Taskforce Meeting Minutes
January 08, 2026
4
O. Williams highlighted an event happening at the St. Francis Centre for Community,
Arts and Culture on January 21 from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm featuring a preview of the
CBC's Fifth Estate's Missing Black Boys documentary.
•
Next Meeting
D. David highlighted that the next meeting will be held on February 12, 2026.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 8:22 p.m.
Dated this 8th day of January, 2026.
10.
11.
Pickering Anti Black Racism Taskforce Meeting Minutes
January 08, 2026
5