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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-01-21 Human Relations Commission Regular Meeting Minutes 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 21, 2025 st Livonia Recreation Center – 1 Floor Conference Room I. Call To Order Chair Glover called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. Members Present: Chair Rich Glover, Denise Collins-Robison, Madison Ling, Pastor Yvette Warren Members Absent: Vice Chair Haitham Fakhouri, Ed Buison, Alex King II. Approval of Agenda & Approval of Minutes First by Pastor Yvette Warren and second by Denise Collins-Robison. The agenda for January 21 and the minutes of the November 19 meetings were approved unanimously. III. Audience Communications (2 Minutes) No audience present. IV. Chairperson’s Report a. Inauguration Reflection & Impact on Livonia Community Pastor Yvette reports mixed emotions from her community congregation due to the inauguration falling on the Martin Luther King Jr.’s holiday. The commission’s overall regard is concern for marginalized populations from the resulting executive orders expected to affect daily living, including from a student standpoint in higher education. b. HRC Membership Former Commissioners, Josh Reeber and Thomas Emerick, are wished well upon their resignation. This leaves the Commission with two vacancies and 7 active members. V. Old Business a. Updates from Subcommittees i. HRC Community Message Chair Glover discussed the importance of creating and conveying a unified message to communicate our mission to the public. ii. Outreach & Communications 1. HRC Mailing List Data will be transferred to digital format by Vice Chair Fakhouri, or a willing subcommittee member, for expediency once in use. 2. 2025 Brochure Chair Glover suggests changing the verbiage and images for our current brochure to align it better with Livonia’s cultures and demographics. We have plenty of the existing brochure to last until a new one is created and approved. iii. Education 1. LPS & Clarenceville Essay Contest Status There are currently 3 essays on docket from Churchill and Franklin. There was discussion about questions received, responses given, and the possibility of extending the contest deadline to current’s following Monday to allow for more entries after having promoted it a second time to the districts. Discussion about future prompts and verbiage were also emphasized. 2. Madonna Essay Winner The essay prompt was received well by Madonna contacts. There was commentary about the winning essay and its positive qualities. 3. Plans for 2026 Essay Contest a. Student Ambassador Suggested by Chair Glover to find a student from each school to promote future contests and the possibly expanding it beyond the realm of writing to multimedia. This could be a volunteer or a potential commissioner who has strong ties to the school system. Liaison Robb suggested seeking support from the Youth commission for this initiative and also connecting with English teachers. b. Library Chair Glover has been working toward establishing connections to obtain more platforms. c. Businesses The status of this initiative remains the same as the library. 4. Wednesday Madonna Representation Commissioner Denise will be in attendance to award Madonna’s essay contest winner. There was discussion and consultation about phrasing for the announcement. iv. Arrange Visit: City Council President (Updates) Liaison Robb reports no new updates about City Council President’s availability. th v. 75 Anniversary of City – Traveling Display (Continued Discussion) Liaison Robb informed the commission of potential plans to celebrate through the Livonia Spree th and through other events around its official commemoration date on May 25. The display is envisioned to be a kiosk that can travel among city departments for participation. VI. New Business a. Library Director Presentation Visit projected to happen in March. b. LPD Visit Pastor Yvette provided an update for Chief to provide availability. c. Schoolcraft College Update Madison provided insight into the upcoming Black Excellence in Writing and Art awards this coming February. There are no other known events for Black History Month observance from other departments presently. d. DEI Award Winner There was conversation about who the winning nomination was and their accolades for community support with many events. e. HRC Incoming Email Communications Review Chair Glover expressed his appreciation for commissioners ensuring a unified response to emails. f. HRC 2025 Goal Discussion This is slated to be discussed at a future meeting. Commissioners are encouraged to reflect on their personal goals, passions, and how to implement them through the Commission’s initiatives. VII. Audience Communication for Unspoken Guests No audience communication. VIII. Adjournment Meeting was adjourned by Chair Glover at 8:12 p.m. Motion by Denise and second by Pastor Yvette.