City of Aurora African American Heritage Advisory Board met April 14.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
I. Call to Order: Meeting called to order at 5:37pm by Chair Dr. Hicks.
II. Roll Call: Present: Derek Drew, Deborah Goss-Johnson, Sandra Harrison, Chair Dr. Peggy Hicks, Pairlee Hunter, Secretary, Cynthia Latimer, Marquell Oliver, Vice Chair, Sharonda Roberson-via Zoom, Dr. Yolanda Stovall, and Keith Wise
Absent: Glenda Blakemore, Marc Dale, and William Whitfield
10 present 3 absent
III. Public Comments: No request for public comment
IV. Approval of Minutes - March 10, 2022: Moved by Drew, seconded by Oliver to approve the March 10th meeting minutes. Motion passed unanimously.
V. City Liaison Update: Standing item Financial Report & Additional Topics Update provided by Mr. Muhammad
a. Financial Report - $15,000 budget – Scholarships from this line item
i. Fundraising has primarily been via the annual Heritage Dinner
ii. Additional funds of $15,000 are provided to AAAHAB as seed money for the Heritage Dinner with the expectation that the $15,000 be paid back by the end of the respective calendar year with the balance of the profits remain in the AAAHAB budget.
b. Code of Conduct document was distributed to members to review, sign, & return.
c. It is National Volunteer Month. In recognition, all 200 plus members of Boards and Commissions are receiving certificates at their meetings and a group picture will be taken and posted on the website.
d. Highlights
i. The Aurora Actionaires – Black women in Aurora who care, act, and serve. Congratulations on 47 years strong and their Little Library Project with front page Beacon News coverage.
ii. Congratulations to Waubonsie Valley Grad Aaron Westbrook recognized for his creation of Ebony Voyage Website
iii. Congratulations to AU graduate – Dr. Sarai Carter on her Doctorate of Pharmacy….all while being a new mom of now 2.
iv. Congratulations to Aurora Police Department Liz Robinson Chan on her promotion to Commander. The highest-ranking Black female on the force and second in command to Chief Keith Cross.
v. Congratulations to West Aurora Grad Camron Donatlan who was recognized Tuesday at City Council, for his NJCAA Division II National Championship title.
vi. Board member Drew announced that Mike Neil, Jr. won a Grammy in the Jazz category.
VI. Member Compliance Requirement - Open Meetings Act Training Status City Liaison Director Muhammad reported 5/13 members have submitted documentation of OMA training completion. The website has not been functioning properly and members have had difficulty logging on. Mr. Muhammad was notified that as of today the website is functioning.
VII. Old Business
a. Review Vision & Mission Statement
A copy of the mission statement was provided for review. Chair Dr. Hicks asked that members be prepared to finalize at the May meeting. Moved by Goss Johnson Seconded by Drew to move this agenda item to May. Motion passed unanimously. There was a request to review the mission and act on it today. Chair Dr. Hicks responded that we should move forward as the motion passed
b. AAAHAB Goals and Objectives
Chair Dr. Hicks provided members with their brainstorming items from the March meeting and broke members into groups. Each small group reviewed a section, categorized and reported out their categories. Chair Dr. Hicks will bring back to the board in April for review.
There was a request to review the Mission Statement and act on it today as that is important to inform the goals and objectives. Chair Dr. Hicks responded that we are just organizing these items now to be decided in May and that we would move forward in May with Mission Statement as per the prior passed motion. Requester withdrew request due to point of order.
There was discussion about the specific role of the AAHAB Board.
c. Determine Committees - Tied to agenda item VII.b., will discuss next meeting. VIII. Future Activities and Calendar - Tied to agenda item VII.b., will discuss next meeting. IX. New Business – No new business items
X. For the Good of the Board
a. There was a request for the Board to utilize technology to stay more engaged and communicate between meetings. It was clarified that would be in violation of the Open Meetings Act.
b. Dr. Yolanda Stovall introduced herself.
XI. Announcements
a. A full complement of Juneteenth activities will be announced for June 18, June 19 Flag raising, and June 20.
b. The African American Health Coalition will hold a health fair on June 11, 2022 at Prisco 9am - 12pm.
c. Education Commission is working on coordinating agency support services for the schools.
d. The Commission on Disabilities will be holding a listening tour.
e. Simply Destinee Fundraiser is May 12 6-9 pm Gaslite – Tickets: $35
f. Cathedral of Grace – St. John is hosting a Collegiate Fellowship dinner 4/23 – 5-7pm
g. Civilian Review Board Listening Tour expected to be held 2nd quarter (May/June)
h. Supreme Court IL hearing - DeKalb
XII. Next Meeting - Thursday, May 12, 2022, 5:30 pm – City Hall – Conference Room 5A
XIII. Adjournment - It was moved by Hunter and seconded by Wise to adjourn. Motion passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned 6:32 pm
https://www.aurora-il.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_04142022-2873
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