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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJanuary 11, 2022 Page 1 of 6 Minutes/Meeting Summary Pickering Anti Black Racism Taskforce January 11, 2022 Electronic Meeting 7:00 pm Attendees: G. Chang-Campbell, Chair Z. Adatia A. Davis D. Governor O. Grignon K. Noronha N. Sinclair C. Addo-Bekoe, Manager, People and Culture, Pickering Public Library R. Perera, Deputy Clerk J. San Antonio, Senior Advisor, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (Staff Liaison) A. MacGillivray, Committee Coordinator (Recording Secretary) Absent: C. Farinha F. Heath N. Holland T. Olanbiwonnu Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) 1. Welcome and Call to Order G. Chang-Campbell welcomed everyone to the meeting and called the meeting to order. 2. Review and Approval of Agenda Members reviewed the agenda items. Agenda approved. Carried. 3. Disclosure of Interest No disclosures of interest were noted. Page 2 of 6 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) 4. Approval of Minutes – December 2, 2021 Moved by D. Governor Seconded by N. Sinclair That the Minutes of the December 2, 2021 meeting of the Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce be approved. Carried. 5. Delegations There were no delegations. 6. General Business 6.1 Update on selection of new PABRT members G. Chang-Campbell expressed that there was a good response to the call for applications and that the taskforce was in the process of selecting and interviewing candidates. Further, she added that they expect to make their final appointment recommendations to Council for the February 28, 2022 council meeting. J. San Antonio provided clarification that 9 vacancies exist and that the taskforce is not required to have 20 members, but rather can have up to 20 members. A brief question and answer period ensued regarding the deadline to submit final applicant recommendations for the February 28, 2022 Council meeting and R. Perera confirmed February 18, 2022 to be the deadline to submit reports for that Council meeting. Members raised concerns about vacancies on the subcommittees that can result from recruiting subcommittee members to the taskforce. J. San Antonio responded that the taskforce could discuss the terms of reference around subcommittees and propose to make changes if there is consensus on the issue. J. San Antonio to meet with G. Chang-Campbell on creating the final candidate recommendations to council by the February 18, 2022 deadline. Page 3 of 6 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) 6.2 Review and discussion of PABRT initiatives for 2022 Discussion ensued regarding events and initiatives that the Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce would like to consider for 2022. Discussion ensued regarding the Lets Talk Event and the Nuit Noir event. Members expressed support for the Lets Talk Event, suggesting the event could lead to better understanding the issues facing the community. J. San Antonio noted that in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, a virtual town hall model could be explored for the Lets Talk Event and added that there were other considerations that City staff need to be involved in, in terms of process and approvals. Members discussed the taskforce not feeling compelled to hold an event during February for Black History Month due to the restrictive timelines. Further discussion ensued regarding opportunities to partner with other organizations and existing events as an alternative for Black History Month. 6.3 Follow up from PABRT orientation session and discussion of opportunities shared by Community Services staff Discussion ensued between Members and J. San Antoni regarding: • information regarding the Cultural Expressions Art Gallery; • the Taskforce’s role in the event, and if/how the City of Pickering presently supports this event; • information regarding an opportunity to collaborate with Pickering Village Museum including a permanent exhibit relating to Black History expected to open in 2023; Page 4 of 6 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) • creating social media content to share community stories and information about the Taskforce as an opportunity for engagement; • information about the Cultural Expressions Art Gallery and a possible opportunity for the taskforce to collaborate; • other opportunities for engagement including Cultural Fusion, Canada Day, and event booths at in-person events; • information regarding Hello Hope Workshops; and, • the need for the City to engage the black community directly in planning their events and initiatives, rather than solely relying on the Taskforce. 6.4 Revision of work plan A brief discussion period ensued between Members regarding: • focusing on a few objectives of the work plan over a given year to not overextend the taskforce; and, • Finalizing the work plan in March or April of 2022. G. Chang-Campbell solicited engagement from taskforce members, suggesting if there was an event or initiative they were interested in taking the lead on, they should reach out. 7. Correspondence There were no items of correspondence. 8. Other Business 8.1 Status of City of Pickering Equity, Diversity, Inclusion Initiative J. San Antonio provided an update on this initiative stating that the City is in early exploratory stage of consultation. Members asked whether it was possible J. San Antonio will share feedback with staff. Page 5 of 6 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) to receive standard updates to ensure that there was engagement of relevant community stakeholders in the process. 8.2 Grant Application Discussion ensued regarding the City’s grant application to the TD Friends of the Environment program. The City is looking to create a garden relating to heritage that will provide education and healing to the community. There is a request to see whether or not the Taskforce wishes to participate and have a plot. Discussion ensued regarding whether or not using Bang the Table may be useful as a tool to solicit community engagement and consulting the lead organizers of the project on how to solicit engagement. 8.3 Social Media J. San Antonio provided an update regarding the Taskforce’s use of social media. She expressed that consent had been provided and advised that the taskforce had been approved to use social media and suggested starting with one platform. Further there was concern expressed on the taskforce’s capacity to maintain engagement on social media, and that this may be a task delegated to new members. J. San Antonio suggested Instagram as a potential platform. 8.4 Provocation Ideas Festival G. Chang-Campbell shared that Nicola Hepburn, a Subcommittee Member is soliciting engagement and ideas from the Taskforce on the Provocation Ideas Festival. G. Chang-Campbell suggested that members wishing to engage can do so using the Microsoft Teams channel. 8.5 Inquiry into Delayed Payment of Vendors J. San Antonio provided information regarding the payment of Need Some Koi Inc. and clarified that the financial request had been submitted electronically, and processing was delayed due to the holiday rush. J. San Antonio to speak with the Communications Department regarding what the next steps are regarding P.A.B.R.T’s use of social media and follow up with members on the outcome. Page 6 of 6 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) J. San Antonio also provided an update on the payment of Rosie from the Hype Crew. She advised that she was waiting for more direction from Finance Department on the status of this payment. 8.6 Thanking Grace Foods Canada G. Chang-Campbell shared that she was able to thank Grace Foods Canada on behalf of the Taskforce in recognition of their generous for the October Harvest Thanksgiving event baskets. G. Chang-Campbell shared that she present the plaque to them via a virtual company board meeting. 9. Next Meeting – February 3, 2022 10. Adjournment. Moved by D. Governor Seconded by G. Chang-Campbell That the meeting be adjourned. Carried. Meeting Adjourned: 8:47 pm