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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMay 7, 2026Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce  Meeting Minutes  Electronic Meeting  May 07, 2026 - 07:00 PM Present: C. Bussue D. David D. Dill Z. Donaldson A. Fraser V. Shaw O. Williams A. MacGillivray, Council & Committee Coordinator (Recording Secretary) J. SanAntonio, Supervisor, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion D. Yew Woon, Community Engagement Coordinator, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (Staff Liaison) Regrets: P. Martin S. Mascoll Call to Order/Roll Call   O. Williams called the meeting to order and read the Land Acknowledgment. Review and Approval of Agenda   Moved By D. David Seconded By A. Fraser That the Agenda for the May 7, 2026 Meeting of the Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce Meeting be approved.   Carried Disclosure of Interest   No disclosures of interest were noted. 1. 2. 3. 1 Adoption of Minutes   Meeting Minutes, April 2, 2026   Moved By D. David Seconded By C. Bussue That the Minutes of the April 2, 2026 Meeting of the Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce be approved.   Carried Presentations   Delegations   There were no delegations. General Business   City Updates: Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion   D. Yew Woon provided an updates from the City to the Taskforce, including: a reminder of the upcoming Municipal Election and the importance of being cognizant of potential conflicts of interest and appropriate use of City resources; and, • an invitation to the Taskforce to participate in the Durham PRIDE Parade happening on June 6, 2026. • Executive Updates   Budget   O. Williams solicited the Taskforce for nominations for the role of Treasurer. No Members expressed interest. Subcommittee Updates   Community Engagement   4. 4.1 5. 6. 7. 7.1 7.2 7.2.1 7.3 7.3.1 Pickering Anti Black Racism Taskforce Meeting Minutes May 07, 2026 2 A Fraser provided an update to the Taskforce regarding the City's Artfest Event happening on May 23 and 24, 2026 from 11:00 am - 5:00 pm. Discussion ensued regarding whether the Taskforce would like to host a table at the event. C. Bussue, D. David, and Z. Donaldson expressed interest in assisting with the hosting of a table at the event. O. Williams provided an update to the Taskforce regarding the Inaugural Madiba Award Gala Event by Cultural Expressions for CHANGE happening on May 23, 2026 from 5:30 pm to 1:00 am. Presentations   Erica Edwards, Durham Family and Cultural Centre (DFCC)  Re: Black Joy Holiday Market Erica Edwards, Durham Family and Cultural Centre (DFCC) appeared before the Taskforce speaking to the 2025 Black Joy Holiday Market. Taskforce Members shared positive sentiments regarding the impact of the event and the Taskforce's historic and continued partnership on this event. Leila Martinez, Durham Family and Cultural Centre (DFCC)  Re: Legal Support Services Community Focus Group Leila Martinez, Durham Family and Cultural Centre (DFCC) appeared before the Taskforce speaking to the DFCC Legal Support Services Community Focus Group. Discussion ensued amongst the Taskforce regarding the end of funding to Black Community Programs experienced by DFCC and throughout Ontario and the letter writing campaign to request the Province of Ontario to reconsider the funding of these programs. General Business   Subcommittee Updates   Anti-Black Racism Work Plan   5. 5.1 5.2 7. 7.3 7.3.2 Pickering Anti Black Racism Taskforce Meeting Minutes May 07, 2026 3 O. Grignon and D. Dill provided the Taskforce with an update regarding the Anti-Black Racism Work Plan Project (formerly the Consultation and Co-Design Project), speaking to: the meeting with the project consultant to confirm details around the project mandate, goals, tasks, and timelines; • the ongoing discussions regarding methods of data collection (focus groups, questionnaires, interviews etc.); • the consultant's request for a list of people including past and present Taskforce Members, City staff, and external community partners to engage as part of the process; and, • the Consultant's plan to attend the next Taskforce Meeting on June 4, 2026. • Taskforce Members were encouraged to share any persons they  would recommend to be added to the list of people to engage, and  that they could do so by email. Taskforce Feedback   O. Williams solicited Taskforce Members for any feedback. No feedback provided. Correspondence   There was no correspondence. Other Business   Z. Donaldson spoke to the rollerskating classes by the Melanin Skate Crew happening at West Shore Community Centre. • Next Meeting - June 4, 2026   O. Williams reminded the Taskforce that the last meeting of the Taskforce before the summer recess would be on June 4, 2026. Adjournment   The meeting adjourned at 8:18 pm. 7.4 8. 9. 10. 11. Pickering Anti Black Racism Taskforce Meeting Minutes May 07, 2026 4 Dated this 7th day of May, 2026. Pickering Anti Black Racism Taskforce Meeting Minutes May 07, 2026 5