City of Aurora African American Heritage Advisory Board met Aug. 11.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
I. Call to Order - Meeting called to order at 5:40 pm by Liaison Muhammad
II. Roll Call - Present: Glenda Blakemore, Marc Dale, Deborah Goss-Johnson, Sandra Harrison Pairlee Hunter, Secretary Cynthia Latimer, Marquell Oliver, Dr. Yolanda Stovall on Zoom, William Whitfield, & Keith Wise Absent: Vice Chair Sharonda Roberson 10 present 1 absent
III. Public Comments – Curtis Wilson from the Civilian Review Board brought personal greetings and shared his interest and willingness to work and support AAAHAB.
Guests: Nicole Mullins, Brandy Gilliam
IV. Approval of Minutes – Moved by Harrison, seconded by Goss-Johnson to approve the July 28th meeting minutes with the correction of deleting the erroneous letter “c” which created item VII c(i). Motion passed unanimously.
V. City Liaison Update – Oral report by Liaison Muhammad
a. 8/19 – AAMOU & Ald Jenkins Back to School event at Greene Park
b. 8/21 – Ald Hart-Burns 35th Annual Back to School Bash – Dr. MLK Park
Financial Report – No change. Balance: $9,200
VI. New Business
a. Discussion and Approval of Funding Requests – Founder and Culture Shock Board Chair Nicole Mullins presented at the request of AAAHAB for more information about the “On the Wall” Urban Arts Festival. She shared details on Culture Shock, the upcoming 08/28/22 event, and answered the Commissioner’s questions. Moved by Harrison and seconded by Latimer to sponsor the “On the Wall” event at the $500 level for BBoy Battle Sponsorship since the art of breakdancing originated as an African American Art Form. Roll Call Vote. Motion passed 8 Yes, 1 No.
Commissioners further discussed the importance of determining the impact of our contributions. It was suggested that an evaluation form sent to and completed by the recipients might give us the information we are seeking. Need closure.
b. Discussion on 2023 Heritage Dinner – This has been the signature event for AAAHAB. 2023 will be the 17th year. In July, Commissioners requested additional information. Liaison Muhammad provided multiple handouts documenting processes, details on African American of the Year, NIA Award, the Mayor’s Lifetime Achievement Award, and press from prior events.
The event is typically held the last Friday in February. The last one was held 2020. Whitfield moved. Blakemore seconded to hold the 2023 AAAHAB Heritage Dinner. Discussion. Roll Call Vote. Motion passed 8 Yes, 1 No.
Need a Heritage Dinner Committee
c. Discussion on 2023 AAHAB Scholarships – Commissioners unanimously voted in July to contact the Community Foundation of Fox River Valley for the purpose of discussing transferring AAAHAB scholarship dollars to them to manage with the caveat that AAAHAB maintains control of the process of selecting the students and awarding the scholarships. The Foundation would provide all of the processing and payment to the students. Commissioners asked Liaison Muhammad to set up a presentation from The Foundation. Need a Scholarship Committee.
d. Nomination and Election of New Chair – Discussed options:
Option 1 – Nominate tonight and vote tonight.
Option 2 – Candidates speak tonight and vote at next meeting in August.
Commissioners suggested a 3rd option which was agreed as the way to proceed.
Option 3 - Nominate tonight, any Speeches tonight, Vote tonight
Self-nominations – none
Nominations from the floor.
- Pairlee Hunter nominated Sandra Harrison. Harrison accepted.
- Sandra Harrison nominated Will Whitfield. Whitfield accepted.
Motion to close nominations by Blakemore and seconded by Goss-Johnson. Motion passed unanimously.
Vote by paper ballot. Results: 6 Whitfield 3 Harrison.
Commissioner Whitfield is the new chair.
e. Selection of Executive Officer’s Planning Meeting Date Before September 8 To be held August 30, 2022 at 1 pm.
VII. For the Good of the Board
VIII. Announcements
.. Commissioners provided details of upcoming events.
.. Pigment International will present information at our September meeting regarding their 10/02/22 brunch
IX. Next Meeting - Thursday, September 08, 2022 - 5:30 pm – City Hall – Conference Room 5A
X. Adjournment – 7:15 pm Moved by Dale, Seconded Blakemore. Motion passed unanimously
https://www.aurora-il.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_08112022-2975
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