HomeMy WebLinkAboutDiversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Board Minutes 030524
City of Lansing DEI Advisory Board Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, March 5, 2024
5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
7th Floor, City Hall
Lansing, MI
Attendance: Muhammad Qawwee, Raquel Sparkman, Florensio Hernandez, Randy Watkins,
Amber Denney
Absent: Emily Sorroche, Prince Solace
Others: Kim Coleman and Andrea Collier (HRCS), Amany Williams (OCA), Tina Alonzo,
Ashley Green, Teresa Bingman (Consultants).
Public: None
The meeting was called to order at 5:33 pm by the Advisory Board Chair, Muhammad Qawwee,
followed by a roll call.
Approval of Agenda
It was moved by Mr. Hernandez and seconded by Mr. Watkins to accept the agenda with
corrections. Motion carried. The correction included adding "Action Items" to the agenda.
Approval of Minutes
It was moved by Ms. Denney and seconded by Mr. Hernandez to approve the March 16, 2024,
minutes with correction. Motion carried. The corrections included Mr. Watkins's request to
include committee reports on all agendas and minutes. Mr. Watkins also requested an updated
contact list of DEI Advisory Board members.
Public Comment
There was no public comment.
Directors Report
Director Coleman noted a tentative offer made to an applicant for the DEI Officer position.
Final Discussion of Priorities and Objectives/Actions:
The Advisory Group facilitated their final discussion with the Board and reminded Advisory
Board members to use the grid document to keep the work of the themes moving forward. TAG
also stressed that every action should be tied to the MRJEA plan. TAG will resend the grid
document, which has been referenced, to the Board. Moreover, the Board decided that there
would be one action per theme for now.
Key Points
• Determine a tentative timeline for each theme.
• Next Steps for each theme
• Metrics, Assessment, Tracking
• Communications Plan
2
TAG will forward an updated grid document reflecting the current priority outcomes of the
discussions to members.
Committee Reports
Justice and Safety Committee
Chair Muhammad Qawwee will be joining this committee. The committee would like to create
and distribute a survey on the Police Department. Director Coleman informed board members
that the survey must be approved by the Mayor's Office and the Office of the City Attorney
before plans are finalized or the survey is administered. Mr. Watkins and Ms. Denney plan to
meet with the Police Chief to get responses to their questions. Members of the Board previously
suggested that the Chief be invited to the DEI Advisory Board meeting so that they could
participate. Ms. Denney expressed the committee's wishes for an informal meeting and decided
this meeting would be between the committee members Denney, Watkins, and the Chief of
Police.
Economic Empowerment Committee
The Economic Empowerment Committee will work on an educational event and a mentorship
program. They will explore partnerships around the feasibility of their initiatives.
Community Sustainability
This committee will begin working on Community Town Hall meetings or Neighborhood
Summits.
Old Business
Amany Williams, City Attorney, updated the Board on procedures for meetings and highlighted
the following:
• Open Meetings Act documents were passed out for review.
• If there is no quorum, the Board cannot meet. The Board can take public comment.
After the public comment finishes, the meeting must adjourn.
• No proxy votes are allowed for Board members.
• No virtual vote is allowed. Board meetings are public meetings and must be
announced to the public 18 hours in advance of any meeting of the Board.
New Business
• Chair Qawwee discussed Board term limits. Ms. Coleman noted the term limits are listed
in the Board folders. She stated that the mayor determines appointments and the
continuation of individual terms.
• Celebration of Diversity is tentatively set for June 27, 2024, at City Hall from 4:30 to
6:00 pm in the City Hall lobby.
• Juneteenth begins June 14th and 15th.
Meeting Adjourned at 6:45
• Celebration of Diversity is tentatively set for July 21st at City Hall from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m in
the lobby.
Meeting Adjourned at 6:45