HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-07-22 NHCHLC Minutes
NEW HANOVER COUNTY HISPANIC/LATINO COMMISSION MINUTES
Location: Government Center, Room 136
July 22, 2025 – 5:00pm
I) Call to Order and Agenda Meeting called to order at 5:00pm
Members present: Dr. Andres Afanador, Dr. Amanda Boomershine, Maria Carmen Rodriguez
Morales, Dr. Whiyie Sang, Rafael Toro, Dr. Edelmira Segovia, Gustavo Rodea, and Lambeth
Chalk
Members absent: Joseph Casares, Janeth Howard, Natalie Picazo
Staff: Linda Thompson
II) Approved Agenda motioned by Maria and seconded by Edelmira
III) Chair Comments- Welcomed new members and made introductions. Explained that the former
Department of Equity and Inclusion is now the Office of Civic Engagement.
IV) Committee Updates
a. Advocacy for Public Education Subcommittee- has not met due to lack of leadership
b. Language Access Subcommittee- Maria made a flyer with QR code for us to share across
the community, waiting for Joe to get list of resources to Linda for HLC website.
c. Health and Wellness Subcommittee- They have now met with all the clinics on their list,
the last being the Michael Jordan Clinics. They discussed these clinics’ plan to serve the
underserved (no free service, but self-pay for uninsured). MJ Clinic might be able to help
with community events.
V) Old Business
a. HL Website Resources- check with Joe
b. Formal Community Survey- in progress
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c. 2025/2026 Meeting Dates/Times- Decided the 4 Tuesday of the month at 5pm will
remain the best meeting time. We will check on a November date and not meet in Dec.
d. 2025/2026 Committee Appointments - The new subcommittees and appointments are as
follows:
Public Education: Lambeth, Natalie (Chair), Rafael, and Andres
Economic Opportunity: Edelmira, Gustavo
Public Safety & Disaster Preparedness: Rafael, Amanda, and Maria
Health and Wellness: Whiyie, Andres, and Maria
Janeth and Joe still need to choose.
A motion to approve these 4 categories since language access will fall under all
subcommittees was motioned by Andres and seconded by Edelmira and Lambeth. All
present voted Yea.
e. 2025/2026 H/L Commission Chair Appointments (conducted by Linda)- The
appointments are as follows:
Chair- Joe
Vice Chair- Natalie
Secretary- Lambeth
VI) New Business
a. Andres encouraged all to participate in their subcommittees.
b. Edelmira asked that subcommittees share their meeting times with each other so that all
can participate when available. We need to communicate this information better to one
another.
VII) Other Business
a. Linda informed the HL Commission that Zoom subcommittee meetings (which should be
advertised to the public) are not permitted due to security issues. Linda said she would
get clarity from the clerk about what a “public meeting” means and communicate with us
through email. It might be possible to have conference calls without video as a solution.
This will need to be added to policy for the commissions.
b. Mari announced that the Governor’s Council of NC is accepting new applications in Sept.
She encouraged anyone to apply. These are 2 yr appointments. Application link:
https://bc.governor.nc.gov/Apply
c. How can we support HL efforts in the Office of Civic Engagement?
Over 50 NHC staff are bilingual in English and other language and will receive $18
supplemental pay when using their language.
Mari might be contracted as a vendor to interpret.
VIII) Upcoming Events
a. Aug. 7 Boys and Girls Club Back to School Backpack Drive
b. Aug. 8 from 9am-2pm MedNorth’s Rock the Block for Cancer- free cancer screenings,
interpretation provided
c. Aug. 14 from 4:30-7:30pm Boys and Girls Club Back to School Fiesta- offering onsite
help to Spanish-speaking families to register for programs.
d. Sept. 20 CF Latino Festival 11am parade, 12 Festival
IX) Public Comments
a. Mari said that she had reports of some families without drivers licenses having to fill out
notarized forms at the public schools saying they did not have a license and providing 2
forms of identification. She requested that the Public School Subcommittee look into this
if possible. (NHHS, HSMS)
b. CFCC offers night and online classes for ESL and Adult High School for people in the
community who are not English proficient.
c. Maria Scheel with Brigade Boys & Girls Club said there were cuts to federal funding, but
they have received funding to cover those deficits.
X) Adjourn- motioned by Lambeth and seconded by Andres
NEXT MEETING – August 26, 2025 – 5:00pm, Government Center Room 136