2021-09-28 Draft
MINUTES
New Hanover County/City of Wilmington
Community Relations Advisory Committee
Zoom Virtual Meeting
September 28, 2021 @ 5:30pm
CRAC Members present: Kathy King, Jen Johnson, Lori Wainright, Evelyn Bryant Kimberly Geiger, Liz
Carbone, Scott Whisnant; absent: Courtney Horton, Florence Warren, Reddgo Long Jr., Megan Mullins .
Others: John Joye, City Attorney; Melissa Huffman, Asst. City Attorney (COW); Suzanne Rogers, CRAC
Liaison (COW); Linda Thompson, CRAC liaison NHC, Officer Williamson, WPD; Anne Eidelman
Jen Johnson, Chair, called the meeting to order and called the roll to establish a quorum.
Jen acknowledged the recent loss of Erica Jacobs-Graham, City of Wilmington staff assigned to assist the
CRAC.
Kathy moved approve minutes from August 24th meeting; Lori seconded the motion and the
motion carried unanimously.
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Scott moved approve the minutes September 9 Programming/Education Subcommittee
meeting; Kathy seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.
Lori moved approve the Agenda; Evelyn seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.
Scott recommended in future use a consent agenda for minutes and other routine matters of business.
Kathy introduced the guest speaker Deborah Dix Maxwell, President of the NHC NAACP. Deborah shared
that the NHC NAACP has been in existence for 102 years. She explained the NAACP Legal Redress
Committee and the process used for reviewing and forwarding discrimination and other civil rights claims
to the state for potential legal action. She also noted that NAACP also refers people to the CRAC process
for submitting complaints. Deborah expanded on NAACP work on racial equity, including school
redistricting, suspensions, environmental climate justice, heat desserts, importance of trees and a host of
other issues. Jen shared NC Environmental Education video. She will send a link to Deborah and CRAC.
Evelyn shared that it is important to educate the minority community on the importance of trees. Jen
suggested that CRAC stay in regular communication with NAACP on issues of common concern. Kathy
King attends NAACP meetings and will help keep the groups connected.
Jen asked members to identify which subcommittee Programming or Education they want to serve on.
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She noted that a standing joint Programming/Education subcommittee meeting virtual on the 3,
Wednesday of each month at 3:00pm. The following people signed up for the Programming
subcommittee: Kathy King, Lori Wainright, Liz Carbone. Education subcommittee: Scott Whisnant,
Kimberly Geiger. Jen reported out on the last Programming/Education meeting referring everyone to
the meeting notes. The subcommittees recommend CRAC host a series of forums for parents, students,
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and teachers. Scott volunteered to serve as the leader for this initiative and he will convene an informal
group of CRAC members to plan the details.
John Joye shared that ad-hoc subcommittees are subject to the same notice and quorum requirements
as standing subcommittees; however, a group of members smaller than the CRAC quorum can meet
informally to discuss and plan initiatives in preparation for formal subcommittee and CRAC meetings.
Liz reported out an idea for consideration by the CRAC. She recommends CRAC host a training for
Nonprofit service providers and others on how to work with diverse people including, not limited to,
religion, race, ethnic, gender identify, etc… This training may include sensitivity training, micro-
aggression, unconscious/implicit bias, etc. Lori and Jen provided some input and suggested Liz explore
Human Rights Campaign and/or Equality NC. Liz will serve as the leader for this effort and reach out to
other CRAC members to assist.
Jen made a motion to endorse the Parent, Student, Teacher Forums, and continued planning efforts.
Scott seconded and the motion carried.
Jen made a motion to endorse the Working with Diverse People Training and continued planning efforts.
Scott seconded and the motion carried.
Jen updated the committee on the Nondiscrimination Ordinance that was passed by City Council. She
and Evelyn have been asked to serve on a Task Force appointed by the Mayor to consider improvements
to the Ordinance, as well as how to get information to the public about the Ordinance.
Another item of new business was brought forward was the need to convene a meeting with City and
County staff to discuss the process for handling complaints coming in on the NHC platform.
Jen thanked Evelyn Bryant and Florence Warren for their service on the CRAC as their terms have ended.
City Council has appointed Michael Wentworth, Education Category, and reappointed Courtney Horton
to the CRAC for terms to expire on 9/20/2024. Rev. Davis seat remains vacant.
A discussion followed about the need to change the categories used for selecting CRAC members to
ensure a diverse and representative committee. John Joye advised that changes would need to be made
by amending the CRAC Bylaws through a Resolution adopted by City Council and County Commission.
The Asheville Community Relations Board was offered as a good example. Mr. Joye suggested City and
NHC staff meet to come back to CRAC with recommendations to be considered in drafting a
recommendation to City Council and NHC Commission.
Lori announced the Rail Realignment Project and the opportunity for community groups to receive
funding to support public engagement events. Lori offered to share a Linc to a Rails to Trails Video on
Equity.
Lori moved the meeting adjourn, Scott seconded, motion carried.
Minutes prepared by Suzanne Rogers
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PURPOSE: The committee was established by the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners and
Wilmington City Council for the purpose of addressing community issues involving prejudice or
discrimination on the basis of race, national origin, creed or religion, age, gender, sexual orientation,
disability or medical condition; informing the Appointing Authorities and other organizations of their
findings; and making recommendations, in an advisory capacity, to the Appointing Authorities and other
organizations, as necessary.
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