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Home My WebLink AboutSeptember 14, 2023 Page 1 of 9 Minutes/Meeting Summary Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce September 14, 2023 Hybrid Electronic Meeting 7:00 pm Attendees: C. Canzius D. David D. Dill A. Fraser O. Grignon B. Loiseau P. Martin S. Mascoll K. Petrolo C. Russell V. Shaw S. Muir, Supervisor, Public Affairs & Corporate Communications J. San Antonio, Senior Advisor, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (Staff Liaison) C. Addo-Bekoe, Manager, People and Culture (Staff Liaison) D. YewWoon, Community Engagement Coordinator, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion A. MacGillivray, Committee Coordinator (Recording Secretary) Absent: Mayor K. Ashe Z. Donaldson K. Hanson K. Smith Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) 1. Welcome and Call to Order O. Grignon welcomed everyone to the meeting, read the Land Acknowledgement, and called the meeting to order. 2. Review and Approval of Agenda Moved by S. Mascoll Seconded by D. Dill That the September 14, 2023 Meeting agenda of the Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce be approved. Carried 3. Disclosure of Interest Page 2 of 9 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) No disclosures of interest were noted. 4. Approval of Minutes Moved by C. Canzius Seconded by V. Shaw That the June 1, 2023 Meeting Minutes of the Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce be approved. Carried 5. Presentations 5.1 Shauna Muir, Supervisor, Public Affairs & Corporate Communications Re: Corporate Strategic Plan – Community Information Session S. Muir, Supervisor, Public Affairs & Corporate Communications, through the aid of a PDF presentation, provided an overview of the City’s progress to date in developing its first Corporate Strategic Plan, and solicited the Taskforce for feedback. Discussion ensued with Taskforce Members regarding: • whether the City’s intention to build strong community partnerships includes engaging diverse communities; • whether there are other goals that the City will be considering after the identified core goal areas have been addressed; • whether the City has considered the negative connotations around the word “Master” when naming its various plans and strategies; and, • whether the City is considering a consultant or additional resources for evaluating the Corporate Strategic Plan through an EDI lens. The Taskforce was encouraged to complete the Corporate Strategic Plan Survey on LetsTalkPickering.ca, and promote the survey to others in the community. 5.2 Elaine Knox, Community Safety and Well- Being Advisor Page 3 of 9 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) Re: Community Safety & Well-Being Plan This item was deferred to a future meeting. 6. Delegations There were no delegations. 7. General Business 7.1 Terms of Reference Review & Discussion D. Dill and S. Mascoll provided an overview of the work done to date on drafting an updated Terms of Reference. Discussion ensued with the Taskforce regarding: • the need for the Taskforce as a whole to determine the various roles and subcommittee structures; • language changes to include more inclusive definitions of Black identity; • consideration of having subcommittees taking on key Taskforce responsibilities rather than sole individuals; • the need for the Taskforce to immerse themselves in the Terms of Reference, and shape it; • the historical context around the current Terms of Reference; and, • taking time over the next 4 - 6 months to engage in conversation around understanding what the Taskforce would like to accomplish. The Taskforce agreed to review the Terms of Reference at a future meeting. 7.2 EDI Strategy Community Working Group Update D. Dill provided an update regarding the EDI Strategy Community Working Group. D. Dill spoke about the various experiences shared by those participating in the Working Group, and how powerful and engaging it was to be a part of. Discussion ensued with Taskforce Members regarding whether the Taskforce could select O. Grignon to share the draft Terms of Reference with Taskforce for review and comment. Page 4 of 9 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) alternate member(s) to be a part of this Working Group if D. Dill is not available to represent the Taskforce. C. Addo-Bekoe and J. SanAntonio explained that the EDI Strategy Working Group has one more meeting left and is wrapping up their work, however the Taskforce will continue to be engaged regarding the City’s EDI Strategy. 7.3 Community Event Updates Canada Day O. Grignon and K. Petrolo provided an overview of the Taskforces involvement in the City’s Canada Day event. Discussion ensued with Taskforce Members regarding the success of the photo booth and picture frame activities, and the event being a great opportunity to meet fellow Taskforce members. Emancipation Day V. Shaw provided an update on the Taskforce’s involvement in the Region of Durham’s Emancipation Day Event. Discussion ensued with Taskforce Members regarding: • the event being well attended; • the flag raising at the event; • the event being a great opportunity to engage with other Taskforce members and others in the community; • the event being indoors allowing attendees to be more comfortable; and, • engagement from the community including Durham Regional Police Services at this event. Page 5 of 9 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) International Day for People of African Descent Community BBQ O. Grignon, D. David, and B. Loiseau provided an overview of the International Day for People of African Descent Community BBQ put on in partnership with the Pickering Public Library’s Anti-Black Racism Working Group. Discussion ensued with Taskforce Members regarding: • the event being well attended and having good weather; • the event being a great opportunity to engage with other Taskforce members and other community organizations; and, • the Taskforce having a videographer at the event documenting their involvement and for creating social media content. O. Grignon thanked various community members, organizations, and City Staff involved in this event including: • Destination Pickering; • DurhamOne; • Durham Family Cultural Centre; • Afiwi Groove School • Durham Region Anti-Racism Task Force; • Durham Community Action Group; • Cultural Expressions; • Pickering Public Library; • Energy Martial Arts Academy; • Holistic Vibrancy ; • DJ Otis Sutherland; • Tammie Sutherland, Breakfast Television; • PG Case, DurhamOne & Durham Region Anti-Racism Task Force; • Bethina Loiseau; • Romina Diaz, Pickering Public Library Anti-Black Racism Working Group; • Deja YewWoon, Community Engagement Coordinator, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion; • Keziah Addo-Bekoe; • Andrew Fraser; • Kenisha Hanson; • Zakkiyya Donaldson; Page 6 of 9 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) • Jaclyn SanAntonio, Senior Advisor, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion; • Clara Addo-Bekoe, Manager, People and Culture; • Krystal Roberts, (Acting) Supervisor, Cultural Services; • Chris Farrell, Event Coordinator, Culture; • Veronica Shaw; • Karleen Smith; • Sabrina Young; Pickering Public Library; • Hailey David; and, • C.C. Canzius. O. Grignon provided an update regarding the status of the Anti-Black Racism (ABR) Identifier project. Discussion ensued with the Taskforce regarding: • the talks regarding this project with the Pickering Public Library Anti-Black Racism Working Group having slowed down; • the expectation that should the ABR Identifier project proceed, that it would be the responsibility of the City; • the consideration of the various elements such as logos, letterhead, marketing and branding that could incorporate the ABR Identifier; • the International Day for People of African Descent Community BBQ initially being a promotional event for the ABR Identifier project; • clarification regarding what an Identifier is; • the realization of the complex legalities and processes around creating and implementing an Identifier; • conceptualizing the ABR Identifier as a brand exercise to understand how it will be used; • whether an ABR Identifier would be considered intellectual property and trademarked; Page 7 of 9 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) • the Taskforce’s need to determine whether they wish to incorporate this project into their Work Plan and at what scale and scope. Black Joy Holiday Experience O. Grignon provided an overview of the Black Joy Holiday Experience Event that the Taskforce had put on in collaboration with the Durham Family Cultural Centre (DFCC) and proposed that the Taskforce take part in supporting this event again in collaboration with DFCC. Discussion ensued with the Taskforce regarding: • the date of the event being November 26, 2023 at Chestnut Hill Recreation Complex; • the Taskforce having $7,843.38 left in the budget; • whether there can be partnership and collaboration with shelters, charity organizations, and grocery stores to accept donations, distribute food, and increase awareness; • grocery stores and local businesses that could contribute to this event; • clarification that all elements of the event will be led by DFCC, with PABRT in a supportive role; • clarification that the hamper provided in last year’s event was made up of non- perishable food items; • the previously budgeted amount of $7,500.00 and whether it is anticipated that the Taskforce will spend that amount; and, • the hampers being afro-centric, and whether hampers will be limited to Black Pickering residents. Moved by D. David Seconded by K. Petrolo 1. That the Taskforce support the Black Joy Holiday Experience Event; and, 2. That the Taskforce allocate $7,500.00 to this event. Page 8 of 9 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) Carried 7.4 Student Placement O. Grignon provided background regarding the City potentially bringing on a Student to work within the City’s Corporate Communications team to support the Taskforce’s communications and social media. She spoke to the challenging timelines and the processes involved in bringing on a student for September and suggested that the Taskforce could consider this in the future. Discussion ensued with the Taskforce regarding: • clarification as to what the timelines are for bringing students onboard for different semesters; • the need for the Taskforce to understand the timelines so that consideration can be given to bring a student on in the Winter or a future semester; • whether the Taskforce should make a decision and allocate budget funds sooner rather than later for this student placement opportunity; • concerns around rushing the process to onboard a student; • whether there is opportunity for the Taskforce to provide volunteer opportunity for this role (e.g. high school students); • consideration for the Taskforce to create a formalized registry of potential volunteers for future Taskforce work; • clarification regarding the details of the City departments involved in this opportunity, the amount of funds that are being dedicated from those departments, and what would be expected from the Taskforce; • whether the Taskforce should continue to discuss and finalize details of this opportunity before approving a budgeted amount; and, • whether there are other programs or organizations that can assist with funding this opportunity. Page 9 of 9 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) 8. Correspondence There was no correspondence. 9. Other Business 9.1 Confronting Anti-Black Racism Workshop O. Grignon provided an update regarding the Confronting Anti-Black Racism Workshop, including the planned date of Wednesday September 27, 2023 from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm. She further indicated that the location was still to be determined and that Taskforce Members should fill out the survey and let them know about any dietary restrictions. 9.2 Day of Truth and Reconciliation – Orange Shirt Day initiatives O. Grignon highlighted the City’s partnership with the Indigenous Relationship Building Circle on several upcoming initiatives including: • the Interactive Mosaic Installation in Esplanade Park; • the Every Child Matters Flag Raising ceremony on September 18, 2023; • the Truth and Reconciliation Community Gathering on September 29, 2023; and, • a Community Walk at the Region of Durham Headquarters on September 22, 2023. 10. Next Meeting The next meeting is scheduled for October 12, 2023 at 7:00pm. 11. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned. Meeting Adjourned: 9:20 pm