City of Aurora African American Heritage Advisory Board met May 12.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
I. Call to Order - Meeting called to order at 5:38 pm by Chair Dr. Hicks.
II. Roll Call - Present: Glenda Blakemore, Marc Dale (via Zoom), Derek Drew, Deborah Goss Johnson, Chair Dr. Peggy Hicks, Pairlee Hunter, Secretary Cynthia Latimer, Marquell Oliver (via Zoom), Vice Chair Sharonda Roberson, and Dr. Yolanda Stovall
Absent: Sandra Harrison, William Whitfield, Keith Wise
10 present 3 absent
III. Public Comments
a. Meghan Conrad – VP Marketing & Communications of the Aurora Civic Center Authority Board (Paramount, RiverEdge Park, Paramount School of the Arts, Copley Theatre) introduced herself and welcomed input from the Board and members as she seeks input from a diverse community to include “the” African American community.
b. Ricky Rodgers – Executive Director of African American Men of Unity spoke to the importance of the Board in uplifting our culture and requested support for the 21st annual Juneteenth celebration and the many activities that are planned.
Set up 2pm and take down 8pm.
IV. Approval of Minutes – April 14, 2022 Moved by Hunter, seconded by Vice Chair Roberson to approve the April 14th meeting minutes. Motion passed unanimously.
V. City Liaison Update: Standing item Financial Report & Additional Topics
a. Financial - $15,000 – No changes
b. Highlighted the following
i. Fundraiser tonight - Simply Destinee – our own board member, Sandra Harrison, Skyy Calice, and Nick Thompson are competitors.
ii. Shenna Baker – Multi-million dollar real estate producer on cover of Real DuPage Producers Magazine
iii. Black Businesses
- Yvonne Tony Thompson – The Cotton Seed Creative Exchange - Traci Briscoe – Chi-Town Snacks
iv. East High Ange Michel Yvon Tiani Ngague was recently accepted into the highly competitive 2022 United States Naval Academy Summer Seminar
v. Oswego East Poetic Justice writer, Teja Davis, awarded a full-ride scholarship to the University of Wisconsin for her Slam Poetry
vi. Highlighted Graduates
1. Under grad – Troy Davis – Univ. of Kentucky, Percy Williams – EIU, Jordan Majersky – Ole’ Miss (U of Miss), Devon Cross – Cornell Univ.
2. Graduate degrees – Taylor Grisson
3. Doctorate – Dr. Donyale Grisson and Dr. Sarai Carter
vii. Black Graduation Night – Tentative – 6/17 – More information to come
viii. Juneteenth events – more info to come
ix. Joint Festival Funding Awardees from Community Services Department – handout with details provided
VI. Member Compliance Requirement - Open Meetings Act Training Status – Status provided
VII. AAAHAB Board Chair Update – Dr. Peggy Hicks – Provided general statements of:
- appreciation for the quality and expertise of Board members seated around this table - focus on the fact that our children need us
- expressed sentiments of unity in that we are all here for the same reason
- charging us with being collaborative and intentional because united, we can accomplish things and divided not so much.
VIII. Old Business
a. Vision and Mission Statement – Motion to approve – Closure – Discussion, members support both the current vision and mission statement, therefore no motion is necessary.
b. AAAHAB Goal Topics – Closure
Board members generated topics in March and categorized in April. Those categorized topics were tabulated by Chair Dr. Hicks and Secretary Latimer and brought back to this meeting to finalize goal topics.
Goss-Johnson moved to accept the three goals of Advocacy, Communication & Marketing, and Fundraising. Seconded by Hunter. Discussion. Motion Withdrawn.
Blakemore moved that AAAHAB adopt one overarching goal of Advocacy with the pillars of Awareness, Communication, and Fundraising. Objectives to obtain the goal to follow. Seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
c. Recommended Committee/Sub-committee Structure - Tabled
d. AAAHAB Activities/Areas tied to Goal Topics – future discussion - Tabled
e. Juneteenth
i. Motion to financially support AAMOU 6/18/22 Juneteenth Celebration at $3,500. Moved by Vice-Chair Roberson. Second Stovall. Discussion. Stovall suggested Amended amount of $4,300. Vice-Chair Roberson accepted the $4,300 as friendly amendment. Amended motion of $4,300 moved by Stovall. Seconded by Vice Chair Roberson. Motion Passed: 6 Yea 4 No.
Original Motion to financially support AAMOU 6/18/22 Juneteenth Celebration at $3,500. Moved by Vice-Chair Roberson. Second Stovall.
Motion Failed: 3 Yea 6 No
ii. AAAHAB Participation at 6/18/22 AAMOU event - Tabled
iii. June 18th events – 3:30-7:30 at MLK Park - Tabled
iv. June 19th events - Tabled
v. June 20th events - Tabled
IX. New Business
a. Discussion - Advocacy: Collaborative/Supportive Community Outreach to African American Community & Black Businesses / Awareness of AAAHAB and Feedback from Community - Tabled
b. Future Activities and Calendar - Tabled
X. For the Good of the Board - Tabled
XI. Announcements - Tabled
XII. Next Meeting - Thursday, June 09, 2022 - 5:30 pm – City Hall – Conference Room 5A
XIII. Adjournment – Latimer moved. Drew Seconded.
https://www.aurora-il.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_05122022-2900
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