HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 11-12-2020 NHC African-American History Commission
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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
th
November 12, 2020 – 4:00 PM
Committee Members Present: (Virtually) - Christopher Eaton, Tracion Flood, Brenda Fong, Bernice
Johnson, Marcus Lacewell, Manuel Lloyd, Sandra Oglesby, J’vanete Skiba, Linda Thomas, Angela Gaines
and Cynthia Pershia
Ex-Officio – Jan Davidson, Historian
Absent: Deborah Maxwell, Linda Thomas, Travis Souther – Librarian (ex-officio)
Staff Present: Linda Thompson, Chief Equity & Diversity Officer, Travis Corpening, Diversity & Equity
Specialist and Tomeka Jarreau, Administrative Specialist
I. Call to Order – Chairman Lloyd called the meeting to order at 4:00pm. Quorum established.
II. Approve Agenda – Bernice Johnson motioned to approve the agenda; Ms. Fong, seconded. Motion
passed unanimously.
III. Approve Minutes – Ms. Skiba motioned previous meeting minutes; Ms. Ogelsby, seconded. Motion
passed unanimously.
IV. Public Comments – None
V. Presentation – Christopher Eaton – Mr. Eaton did a presentation on Freeman
Cemetery showing headstones and burial sites of individuals dating back to the 1800’s.
VI.
Old Business –
A. Update on Juneteenth Meeting participation – No update
B. Name Recommendations for Parsley Elementary School – The application for the name
change from Parsley Elementary school to Live Oak Elementary School was submitted to
New Hanover County School Board.
C. Name Tags Update –
D. Committee Reports (Chairs) -
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a. Cemetery – Mr. Eaton reported a possible cost of about $45,000 to locate all
burial sites and for the restoration of Freeman Cemetery – he and Bambi will
collaborate to meet with this possible donor. Mrs. Thompson has reached out to
NHC Parks and Recreation to discuss annual landscaping for Freeman Cemetery.
b. Education – No update.
c. Outreach –No update.
d. Research – No update
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 – Mrs.
Tammy Beasley – (NHC Register of Deeds) to discuss the Slave Deeds of New
Hanover County
B. Possible mural or timeline at ILM- Sandra Oglesby voiced concerns of there not
being any Black History of New Hanover County displayed in the airport. Travis will
reach out to the Sheryl Mays, Director of the Cape Fear museum to get contact
info for the director of ILM to discuss a possible location or wall where the history
of New Hanover County can be displayed inside the airport
C. Mr. Lacewell gave suggestions on ways to change the perception of Rock Hill
Plantation. Specifics will be given at a later time.
D. Angela Gaines suggests getting our presence positively known in the community
dealing with education and outreach.
VII. Announcements
A. Travis Corpening, Diversity & Equity Specialist, will take over as staff leadership for the
Commission of African American Heritage. (tcorpening@nhcgov.com 910-798-7434)
Linda Thompson, Chief Diversity & Equity Officer will still be available to support when
she is needed. Tomeka Jarreau, Administrative Specialist will support as well.
(tjarreau@nhcgov.com 910-798-7030)
B. Congratulations to Stephanie Walker our secretary who was recently elected to NHC
School Board. She is no longer able to be the secretary of the commission. The
Commission welcomes Ms. Tracion Flood to serve as Secretary until our elections.
VIII. Adjourn – Meeting adjourned at 4:57pm.