HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 10.8.2020 NHC African-American History Commission (2)
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NEW HANOVER COUNTY MANAGER’S OFFICE
NEW HANOVER COUNTY COMMISSION ON
AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY, HERITAGE & CULTURE (NHCAAHHC or Commission)
Virtual Meeting via Microsoft Teams
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October 8, 2020 – 4:00 PM
Committee Members Present: (Virtually) - Christopher Eaton, Tracion Flood, Brenda Fong, Bernice
Johnson, Marcus Lacewell, Manuel Lloyd, Deborah Maxwell, Sandra Oglesby, J’vanete Skiba, Linda
Thomas, and Stephanie Walker. Ex-Officio – Jan Davidson, Historian Public – Marc Farnelli – Shell Island
Researcher
Absent: Angela Gaines, Cynthia Pershia, Travis Souther – Librarian (ex-officio)
Staff Present: Linda Thompson, Chief Equity & Diversity Officer
I. Call to Order – Chairman Lloyd called the meeting to order at 4:07pm. Quorum established.
II. Approve Agenda – Ms. Thomas motioned to approve the agenda; Ms. Fong, seconded. Motion
passed unanimously.
A. The Commission welcomes our newest member – Ms. Tracion Flood.
III. Approve Minutes – Ms. Skiba motioned previous meeting minutes; Ms. Ogelsby, seconded.
Motion passed unanimously.
IV. Public Comments – None
V. Presentation – Marc Farinella – Researcher Shell Island Resort – Mr. Farinella is a
political communications specialist and Senior Advisor for the Harris School's Center
for Effective Government. Additionally, he serves as Executive Director of
Harris' Center for Survey Methodology.
- Mr. Farinella shared his research so far: Shell Island used to be two physically
separate islands from Wrightsville Beach, and Shell Island Resort was advertised
as a “premier resort for black beachgoers” in the 1920s. A pavilion was built and
plats of land were planned to sell to African-Americans. The resort’s pavilion
lasted for 3 seasons before ‘mysteriously’ burning down in 1926. The pavilion
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was never rebuilt, and the realty/development corporations dissolved not long
after with only 2 lots ever being sold. He also reported that records show that it
was a business venture from Home Realty Corp. and Shell Island Beach
Development Corp. – partnership between 5 local prominent African-American
community leaders and white developers, which also mysteriously dissolved not
long after the fire. Mr. Farinella, along with the research committee, will keep
researching the descendants of the Shell Island Dev. Corp., records on the
‘mystery’ fire, and further information on the partnership that dissolved so
quickly.
VI.Old Business –
A. Update on Juneteenth Meeting participation – Mr. Lacewell was not in attendance and
could not give an update; will do so next meeting.
B. Name Recommendations for Parsley Elementary School – The commission took a vote
between the names Live Oak Elementary School and Masonboro Elementary School – A
vote was taken and the majority of the commission voted in favor Live Oak Elementary.
Ms. Thompson will add the decision to the drafted letter and send out to the New
Hanover County School Board.
C. Name Tags Update – Ms. Thompson will have them by next meeting.
D. Committee Reports (Chairs) -
a. Cemetery – Mr. Eaton reported a possible private donor for the restoration of
Freeman Cemetery – he and Bambi will collaborate to meet with this possible
donor.
b. Education – No update.
c. Outreach –No update.
d. Research – Committee will try and setup meeting times with Mr. Farinella
regarding further research on Shell Island Resort.
E. Committee Next Meeting Dates
a. Each group will contact Mr. Lloyd and Ms. Thompson regarding dates and times
of meetings outside regular commission meetings.
VI. New Business
A. Possible Speaker, Guest or Presentation for next meeting – Suggestions – Ms.
Tammy Beasley – NHC Register of Deeds.
VII. Announcements
A. Ms. Davidson announced two virtual events at the Cape Fear Museum – 1) Legacy of the
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Green Book (collaboration with the Smithsonian) – Oct. 15 7pm, and 2) African-
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American Military Exhibit – November 4, Lunch program with Dr. Salter.
B. Ms. Johnson – Important New Hanover County and City of Wilmington Community Relations
Advisory Commission virtual meeting on the effects of the school board policy change on
integration tonight at 6pm.
C. Ms. Maxwell reminded everyone to fill out the Census, and that the International
African-American Museum in Charleston, South Carolina will be completed in about 18
months. To be a charter member, visit - https://iaamuseum.org/membership/.
VIII. Adjourn – Meeting adjourned at 5:09pm.