2022-04-26 CRAC Minutes
MINUTES
New Hanover County/City of Wilmington
Community Relations Advisory Committee
Zoom Virtual Meeting
April 26, 2022 @ 5:30pm
CRAC Members present: Jen Johnson, Lori Wainright, Kimberly Geiger, Kathy King, Courtney Horton, Erin
Howell, Kaari Snook; Fawn Rhodes, Charlrean Mapson, Liz Carbone; absent: Courtney Horton-excused.
Others: Melissa Huffman, Asst. City Attorney (COW); Suzanne Rogers, CRAC Liaison (COW); Joe Conway,
Linda Thompson, CRAC Liaison (NHC); Crystal Williamson (WPD).
Jen introduced the guest speaker, Dr. LaChawn Smith, Chief of DEI NHCS. Dr. Smith provided information
about NHCS DEI efforts and plans. She shared information about her new role with Research Training
Institute and generously offered to stay in communication with CRAC to continue work to ensure all
students have opportunity and positive educational experience in NHCS.
Jen Johnson, Chair, called the meeting to order and called the roll to establish a quorum. Lori made a
motion that the minutes & agenda be accepted as presented, Kathy seconded, and the motion carried.
The next item was a r eview of March retreat and work plan and a discussion of the subcommittee duties
and expectations. Consensus was reached that the programming and public education subcommittees
would work to refine the workplan and identify activities and task around the focus areas identified at the
nd
March 22 planning meeting. – 1) Housing (Fair Housing vs. Affordable) 2) Public Accommodation &
Health Equity. 3)Public Schools Education. The Crisis subcommittee would convene as needed. Further,
the committee members agreed that Jen would assign members to the programming and public education
subcommittees and a meeting date would be established.
Brief reports were provided as follows:
Linda: reported no new reports of discrimination have been received since she last reported out.
Liz: reported the DEI, Fair Housing, & Housing First Training 4/20/22, was a success
Jen: reminded the group that election of CRAC officers is in July
Lori made a motion to adjourn, Kathy seconded, motion carried.
Minutes prepared by Suzanne Rogers
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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