HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 8, 2021 Minutes/Meeting Summary
Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce
Thursday, April 8, 2021
Electronic Meeting
7:00 pm
Attendees: D. Ryan, Mayor, arrived at 8:04 pm
C. Addo-Bekoe, Manager, People and Culture (Staff Liaison)
T. Ryce, Supervisor, Cultural Services (Staff Liaison)
Z. Adatia, Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce Member
G.Chang-Campbell, Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce Member
S. Charles-Watson, Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce Member
A. Davis, Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce Member
R. Diaz-Matus, Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce Member
H. Douglas, Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce Member
M. Francis, Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce Member
O.Grignon, Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce Member
F. Heath, Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce Member
C. Mosca, Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce Member
T. Olanbiwonnu, Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce Member
N. Sinclair, Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce Member
C. Blumenberg, Deputy Clerk (Recording Secretary)
Absent: C. Farinha, Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce Member
D. Governor, Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce Member
A. Graham, Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce Member
N. Holland, Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce Member
A. Laylor, Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce Member
K.Noronha, Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce Member
J. Smith, Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce Member
A. Vincent, Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce Member
Item/ Details & Discussion & Conclusion Action Items/Status
Ref # (summary of discussion) (include deadline as
appropriate)
1. Welcome and Call to Order
C. Addo-Bekoe welcomed everyone in attendance
and called the meeting to order at 7:03 pm.
2. Disclosure of interest
M. Francis disclosed a pecuniary interest regarding
item 7, L.E.O.N. Presentation due to her connection
to The Henry Alexander House, a health and
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Item/ Details & Discussion & Conclusion Action Items/Status
Ref # (summary of discussion) (include deadline as
appropriate)
wellness/development facility within Durham
Region.
3. Adoption of Agenda and Previous Minutes
No changes to agenda or meeting minutes.
4. Delegations
There were none.
5. Stipend Update
T. Ryce confirmed remuneration for Taskforce T. Ryce to follow-up when
members will be paid from the Community Services stipend will be enacted and
Salary Account, and advised that a stipend will be process for remuneration.
paid to members of the Taskforce. The Taskforce
Terms of Reference are to be reviewed at each term
of the Taskforce by Human Resource, and a rate
assigned.
T. Ryce advised that in this term, the rate is set $65
per 2-hour regular Taskforce members and $75 for a
chair or sub-committee chair (active visible
participation in meetings is required). A rate of $25
set per hour of work; which is pre-approved by the
Taskforce, and recorded in the minutes.
A written request must be received by the Taskforce
liaison to receive payment. Payments will be issued
twice a year. Request for payment must be received
by December 15th of each calendar year. Requests
are to be provided to staff liaisons in a written
manner, either by email or a form. This is to be
determined.
A question and answer period ensued between
members of the Taskforce and staff regarding:
Timelines on implementation of stipend;
whether stipend will be retroactively paid.
Moved by M. Francis
Seconded by G. Chang-Campbell
That the stipend structure be accepted as reflected in
the terms of reference.
Carried.
6. Taskforce Name Change
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Item/ Details & Discussion & Conclusion Action Items/Status
Ref # (summary of discussion) (include deadline as
appropriate)
A discussion ensued among Members of the F. Heath and M. Francis to
Taskforce regarding: review/research and bring
forward for inclusion at the
purpose of the name change for longevity of next applicable meeting as
the Taskforce an agenda item.
whether to replace name for “A movement for
change” may be premature at this stage;
option to refer themselves as “movement for
change” in community;
how the “movement for change” name is
broad, and Taskforce needs to come up with
mission and vision statement underneath a
potential name before changing name.
T. Ryce suggested that staff can request this be the
Taskforce’s hashtag, and tagline as “movement for
change” in marketing and communication materials.
7. L.E.O.N. Presentation
M. Francis outlined the details of the presentation A potential partnership with
with the aid of a PowerPoint, and advised that the The Henry Alexander House
City of Pickering is a welcomed partner with the L.E.O.N program will be
Henry Alexander House new program L.E.O.N.. M. discussed at a future
Francis noted that the L.E.O.N program is focused on meeting.
helping BIPOC youth become engaged with
opportunities for emotional, developmental and
employment growth. L.E.O.N is an acronym for
Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Opulence and
Nobility. Through the contibutions of the many willing
partners the program cost is $130 for 21 weeks of
training: The program teaches job readiness, critical
thinking, financial empowerment, well-being and
creates entrepreneurial opportunities for youth in
renovation trades. M. Francis outlined the various
partners of the L.E.O.N program, such as the
Canadian Real Estate Association, Green Renovator
and Habitat for Humanity. The taskforce inquired why
the request was coming to their meeting rather than
directly to the City. T. Ryce advised that the City felt it
was appropriate to received endorsement of the
taskforce for partnership requests related to the
Black Community.t...
A discussion ensued among Members of the
Taskforce regarding:
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Item/ Details & Discussion & Conclusion Action Items/Status
Ref # (summary of discussion) (include deadline as
appropriate)
whether the program is available to all youth
with an application process or a referral;
more information on what kind of partnership
this would be with the City and Taskforce, with
M. Francis advising that an endorsement of
the program is important;
the program focus on BIPOC youth;
how the program lead is open to volunteerism,
donations and partnerships with other
agencies;
whether it may be premature to provide
support at this stage for the L.E.O.N program;
given that the action plan has not been set
and,
how determining the areas of focus, metrics
and targets for the Taskforce should be
established first, before determining support
for this, or other community programs.
Moved by F. Heath
Seconded by T. Olanbiwonnu
That the L.E.O.N presentation be discussed at a
future meeting of the Taskforce.
Carried
8. Executive Board Nominations and Appointments
T. Ryce provided an overview of the Sub-Committees Once Terms of Reference
and Executive Board Nominations and Appointments are approved by Council,
process. staff and members will
recruit former applicants A discussion ensued among Members of the from the PABRT Preparatory Taskforce regarding: Sub-committee & Task
the need and importance for Youth Force applicants, as
representatives on all sub-committees; required.
how youth can bring back their learning to their
committee and inform the discussion on
separate committees, being mindful of not
creating duplication of efforts;
how if all voices are at the table, including
youth there will be a more cohesive approach
to getting the work accomplished; and,
How youth are ready to speak up and be given
a seat at the table.
Moved by G. Chang-Campbell
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Item/ Details & Discussion & Conclusion Action Items/Status
Ref # (summary of discussion) (include deadline as
appropriate)
Seconded by O. Grignon
That all sub-Committees must include at least
oneyouth representative..
Carried
It was the consensus of the Taskforce to agree to the
following:
Sub-Committees must include a youth
representative from the Youth-Sub Committee;
Co-chairs for all sub-committees to recruit and
Co-chair to manage committee administration
(unless otherwise indicated)
Recommended that the City Diversity Strategy
presentations come to the full Taskforce
Sub Committees (require Co-chairs, except
where identified)
It was the consensus of the Taskforce to agree to the
following executive positions by Taskforce
membership:
Executive:
o Chair – Staff/Government Liaison
o Vice Chair – Action Plan
Development/Tracking/ Presentations
o Secretary (two positions) – Taskforce
Administration – Advocacy,
Compliance/Accountability/Ethics HUB Liaison
Mediation
o Treasurer
Moved by F. Heath
Seconded by C. Mosca
That these will be the guiding principles of the
Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce (PABRT);
and,
That Executive membership of the PABRT will
consist of a Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary (2) and
Treasurer.
Carried
T. Ryce provided an overview of the different Sub-
Committees proposed by the Taskforce.
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Item/ Details & Discussion & Conclusion Action Items/Status
Ref # (summary of discussion) (include deadline as
appropriate)
A brief discussion ensued on the removal of Chair in
the Education and Policing Sub-Committees.
Moved by O. Grignon
Seconded by H. Douglas
That the Chair, under the Education and Policing
Sub-Committee be replaced with a “Member with
Expertise”.
Carried
It was the consensus of the Taskforce to agree to the
following Sub-Committee Memberships:
1. Executive Advisory S ub Committee eg. Police –
Services, Human Resources, Faith Groups
[Chair + 1]
2. Fund Development [Treasurer +1 ]
3. Policy / Best Practice [research and presentations]
4. Youth
5. Outreach/Communications - Social Media, 'Bang
The Table/ Fundraising/ Youth Recruitment
6. Education – [Member with Expertise as partner
with DDSB]
7. Employment / Entrepreneurship
8. Health (mental and physical wellness)
9. Policing [Member with Expertise as partner with
DRPS]
10.Events, Community Engagement, Programming
11.Recognition Program eg. Procurement / Allyship /
Community Champion / Achievement [Chair, Vice
Chair, Secretary, Treasurer]
12.Housing/Construction
Moved by S. Charles-Watson
Seconded by C. Mosca
That the Taskforce structure and its Sub-Committees
be approved and duly created.
Carried
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Item/ Details & Discussion & Conclusion Action Items/Status
Ref # (summary of discussion) (include deadline as
appropriate)
9. 2021 Meeting Schedule
It was the consensus of the Taskforce to adopt the Staff to share the updated
2021 meeting schedule, inclusive of a July 15, 2021 2021 meeting schedule.
and August 5, 2021 summer meetings for the
remainder of the year whereby the next meeting will
occur on Thursday, May 6 at 7:00 pm.
10. Nominations & Elections
Chair – Staff/Government Liaison
Moved by F. Heath
Seconded by H. Douglas
That Gena-Chang Campbell be appointed as Chair of
the Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce.
Carried
Vice Chair – Action Plan Development Tracking/
Presentations
Moved by F. Heath
Seconded by S. Charles-Watson
That Catherine Mosca be appointed as Vice-Chair of
the Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce.
Carried
Secretary (two positions)
1st Position:
Moved by A. Davis
Seconded by C. Mosca
That Floyd Heath be appointed as Secretary of the
Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce.
Carried
2nd Position:
Moved by G. Chang-Campbell
Seconded by N. Sinclair
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Item/ Details & Discussion & Conclusion Action Items/Status
Ref # (summary of discussion) (include deadline as
appropriate)
That Odessa Grignon be appointed as Secretary of
the Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce.
Carried
Treasurer
Moved by F. Heath
Seconded by O. Grignon
That Suzanne Charles-Watson be appointed as
Treasurer of the Pickering Anti-Black Racism
Taskforce.
Carried
It was the consensus of Taskforce to appoint Sub-
Committee members at the May 6, 2021 meeting.
11. Other Business
T. Ryce provided an update on Bang The Table T. Ryce to provide an update
software and its capabilities for use by Taskforce. on Bang The Table.
She noted that training will be provided prior to the
launch of the platform in May.
12. Adjournment
Meeting Adjourned at 8:44 pm.
Copy: (Acting) Director, Community Services
City Clerk
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