2021-02-23 Minutes
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DRAFT MINUTES
DRAFT MEETING MINUTES
New Hanover County/ City of Wilmington
Community Relations Advisory Committee
Virtual ZOOM Meeting
February 23, 2021 5:30 PM
Committee members present: Liz Carbone, Jen Johnson, Kathy King, Lori Wainright, Scott Whisnant,
Courtney Horton, and Reddgo Long Jr., Kim Geiger, and Florence Warren
Staff Present: Linda Thompson, NHC; Suzanne Rogers, COW; Erica Jacobs-Graham, COW, Crystal
Williamson, WPD
Absent: Evelyn Bryant, Megan Mullins, and Reverend Charles Davis
Public: Anne Ettelman
Call to Order
Chair Lori Wainright called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm. Roll call was taken. A quorum was established.
Minutes 1/26/2021
Kathy King moved minutes be approved as presented, Reddgo seconded, and the motion passed.
Agenda 2/23/21
Courtney moved the agenda be approved as presented, Kathy seconded, and the motion carried.
th
Debrief from January 26 Planning Session w/Vantage Pointe – Lori
th
Lori asked for feedback/reflections on the January 26 planning meeting. Jen responded that the meeting
was somewhat helpful and a good start to developing a plan for the year. Lori added that there is more
work to do to create priorities. Liz remarked it was a good first step.
A. Establish priorities for next 2-5 years
Lori referred to her notes summarizing the 1/26/21 meeting, which she previously shared with the CRAC
via email. She reviewed the notes and referred to a matrix that Liz prepared to track CRACs work on
priority issues. (see attached).
B. “Issue/champion” versus sub-committee structure
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DRAFT MINUTES
A discussion ensued about the functionality of the existing sub-committee structure. The resolution that
created CRAC includes bylaws which define the membership and sub-committee structure – identifying
three sub-committees Programming, Education and Crisis. That said, the bylaws allow for the creation of
additional sub-committees, including ad hoc, as deemed appropriate by CRAC. Therefore, a more practical
approach is to organize CRAC’s work around pertinent Issues of Concern related to discrimination, equity,
inclusion, and diversity. These Issue will be prioritized, and a Champion will be identified to lead actions
related to the issue. “Issue Champions” will work with other CRAC members and report back to the full
CRAC on recommended actions. CRAC members are ask to sign-on to work on Priority Issues. The
existing Crisis sub-committee will be comprised of all members of the CRAC; this sub-committee will
serve to formulate responses to issues that require a timely consideration by the CRAC and possible action,
for example the letter of support for removing confederate statues, or the action to investigate CFPUA’s
possible use of water restriction devices for delinquent customers. Membership to “Issue Groups” and chair
for the Crisis sub-committee will require CRAC members to volunteer and inform Lori and Suzanne. After
full discussion the proposed change to sub-committee function via “Issue” focus was adopted by consensus.
After discussion of subcommittees, Suzanne provided the bylaws requirements stating, “the committees
are mandatory but, can create new subcommittees as needed.”
Kathy suggested that the crisis subcommittee be ADHOC.
Update on ongoing projects
LGBTQ – Jen Johnson. Jen reported that a follow-up letter restating CRAC’s recommendations had been
sent to the City and County. The City has verbally replied indicating a Resolution addressing LGBTQ
inclusion has been drafted and is being reviewed by the City Attorney. Linda Thompson reported that
New Hanover County is also working on a LGBTQ Resolution. The issue is currently who will enforce
the policy? The county is finding best practices from other counties/cities.
Jen continued, updating the CRAC on a January meeting she convened of LGBTQ stakeholders, including
community-based organizations. She shared her research on the negative impact of discrimination on
LGBTQ, especially youth in school. The Frank Harr Foundation agreed to host continued meetings to
continue advocacy for LGBTQ youth. A working group meeting was scheduled by Frank Harr for 2/24/21
at 5:30pm.
Jen shared her findings on from speaking with youth, teachers, and parents, in addition to her research
review. In these conversations Jen heard concerns about counselor confidentiality, harassment and
bullying, fear of retaliation, lack of training and understanding about LGBTQ youth. Jen will be meeting
with Stephanie Adams, School Board member, to share this information and explore how to work with
NHCS to utilize NC Equality resources to improve policy and create effective strategies to support LGBTQ
youth, families, and teachers. Further, Jen suggest a letter from CRAC to the NHC School Board.
Jen made the following motion: the CRAC will send a letter to the Board of Education to report the results
of our investigation into LGBTQ discrimination concerns in the schools and recommend that they consult
with Equality NC's Education Policy Director to develop a two-year plan for creating a more inclusive and
welcoming school environment for LGBTQ students and teachers. Courtney seconded the motion, and the
motion carried by unanimous vote.
Neighborhood Schools -Scott Whisnant with help of Kimberly Geiger. Scott reported he continues to
collect data and refine the presentation in relation to input received. He expects to present his findings on
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DRAFT MINUTES
the impact of Neighborhood School policy to a joint meeting of the NHC School Board, NHC Board of
Commission, and Wilmington City Council in late March or early April. He asked the group for input on
their thoughts about the wished of the African American community on the preference to improve the low
performing schools or move kids to increase racial diversity within the schools. It was suggested that
further research into this question and identify best practices or models to consider.
Health Equity- Discussion about this topic being of interest to Evelyn.
Minority Business- Discussion about this topic being of interest to Megan
City Rise Up/ Renaming – Liz Carbone. The City requested a CRAC appointment and Liz volunteered to
represent CRAC on City initiative to provide input on policy for renaming streets, etc.. To date, she has
not heard from the City on dates, etc. but she will keep CRAC posted.
Workforce Housing Advisory Committee – Evelyn Bryant & Lori Wainright. Lori reported on the 2/3/21
meeting of the WHAC, which included presentations from consultants on housing needs assessment and
public opinion survey. WHAC continues to work on a housing plan to present to the City and County in
late April.
Youth Engagement- Reddgo Long Jr.. Reddgo reported on a meeting with Big B to plan a youth forum.
Reddgo is following up with Big B to finalizing plans. He proposes a series of virtual forums with a Big
Event to culminate the series. The events should target youth up to age 24 and include speakers-
Champions of Diversity- with insights into topics of interest and concern to youth and engage youth in a
discussion around the topic as it relates to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Reddgo suggest using the
StreamYard App as the platform. He will create a plan and schedule to present to CRAC for review and
comment. He asked that members send him ideas for speakers.
Master Calendar of events/groups addressing Equity, Diversity, Inclusion – Liz reached out to Cape
Fear Collective to ask then to join with CRAC to create and host a community calendar. They agreed.
Announcements:
Lori will email information on a Resiliency Conference
Jen will email a webpage resource on Person Centered Language
Public Comment:
No public comment. Recognize Anne Ettelman, NHC League of Women Voters.
Meeting adjourned at 6:55 pm
Attachments
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DRAFT MINUTES
Notes 1/26/21 CRAC Planning Meeting prepared by Lori Wainright
1. Decide what long-term initiatives to prioritize for the next 5 years
Follow models of past successes (LGBTQ / School Redistricting)
Evaluate and share what other groups are working on
Align with City and County on Diversity, Equity initiatives
Be able to respond to immediate needs as they arise (Crisis Ad hoc)
Is our mission /vision in line with this? Do our committee structures support the work of
the C-RAC or should we align with issues?
These are the areas of interest identified by C-RAC members:
LGBTQ issues in schools and the greater community awareness (JEN)
How well do we understand diversity and equity as a committee/community (LORI)
Socio-economic opportunities/Minority Entrepreneurship Needs (MEGAN)
School disparities / education (SCOTT and KIMBERLY)
Outreach for community concerns “making C-RAC a household name,” identifying concrete
channels for advertising/social media (EVELYN, FLORENCE, LIZ, LORI)
Workforce Housing (EVELYN, LORI)
Youth Engagement (CRYSTAL Williamson, WPD Diversity & Inclusion Officer)
Outreach to LATINX community (LIZ)
Addressing needs of people with disabilities (LIZ, JEN)
Voices not heard: Reddgo Long, Rev Davis, Courtney Horton
Action Steps:
1. Create master document of projects, point person, action steps, deadlines and collaborating
agencies (Vantage Point model)
2. In collaboration with CLEAR (Peyton Earey/Mebane Boyd), and County Equity & Diversity
Office create master list of organizations and what they are working on-identify gaps and
collaborations
3. Assign point person to the City’s Rise Up campaign
4. Appoint every C-RAC member to a subcommittee (either Education or Programming)
5. Reassign Crisis as Ad hoc for issues that come up that need our attention
6. Assign person to follow up with implementation of recommendations of C-RAC (KATHY)
7. At every meeting, provide roundup summary of community events/conversations/programs
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qaqeR3kD8f-PUlcLm_dlshwM4R4bM-
C0ERghix2V5CU/edit?ts=602ec26e
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DRAFT MINUTES
Project Lead C-Affiliated Groups Goal & Actions Steps
RAC
rep
Neighborhood Scott W GOAL:
Schools
LGBTQ Issues Jen J Equity NC GOAL:
Resiliency Taskforce Equity NC MEI
Frank Harr Foundation recommendations to
City/County
Research and presented report at
public meeting
Made recommendations to the
School Board
Follow up April 2021
Minority Megan M Chamber of GOAL:
Entrepreneur- ship Commerce Genesis
/ Economic Block
Development
Health Equity Evelyn B Novant GOAL:
Workforce Lori W Mtgs 1st Wednesday @ GOAL:
Housing 3:00 PM
Rise UP City Liz C GOAL:
Renaming efforts
Community Florence GOAL:
Awareness W C-RAC website went live July 1,
Evelyn B 2019
Lori W Advisory role to the 1898
Commission (Liz)
2020 survey of community
funded by the City to assess
public views of discrimination at
school, governmental policies,
housing.
WAVE project with Creekwood
(6/2019)
Discrimination Package:
Resource/Outreach Site @
Downtown Library every
Monday at 9:00 AM (2019)
Criminal Liz C Resiliency TF-1st GOAL:
Justice/Law responders Deputy Sarvis attended 8/2019
Enforcement subcommittee mtg said that CRAC would be
included in any crisis
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DRAFT MINUTES
CRAC invited to do “ride along”
(8/2019)
CRAC invited to participate in
de-escalation training (2018)
CRAC briefed on use of force
policies (2020)
Bias, Diversity, Florence REsiliency TF GOAL:
Equity W
Youth Engagement Reddgo L Coast Radio YWCA GOAL:
Brigades
Dreams
Met with Big B in January-need
to follow up
Latinx Community GOAL: Raise awareness of needs of
immigrant communities; ensure that C-
RAC has representation
Access to governmental
services/health equity
Individuals with Jen J GOAL:
disabilities
Cochair of CFDC Vanessa Lacer
presented to CRAC (9/2019)
County held Deaf and hard of
hearing town hall (9/2020)
Master Contact & Liz C Cape Fear Collective GOAL:
Calendar Spoke with Patrick Brien from
Resiliency TF CFC