minutes-dei-oct-26REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Call to Order
Kiarra Zackery called the meeting to order at 6:41 pm.
Roll Call
Commissioners in person: Joelle Allen, Ajani Woodson, Ruth Paradise, Melissa Johnson, Sheri Hixon,
Jonathan Kim
Commissions virtual: Chris Mitchell
Commissioners absent: Teresa Sit, Melissa Johnson, Thomas Huling,
Staff present: Kiarra Zackery, Equity and Inclusion Manager
Old Business
Chair and Vice Chair votes and appointment
Commissioners have agreed they will need to elect a Chair and Vice Chair for the
Commission. Commissioner Allen has volunteered being held in the Chair position.
Commissioner Allen explains she is open for anyone changing their mind in the future.
Commissioner Kim volunteers to be Vice Chair.
MOTION by Commissioner Paradise to elect Commissioner Allen as Chair and Commissioner Kim as
Vice-Chair. Seconded by Commissioner Hixon. Motioned carried 6.0.
Quarter 4 Building an Equitable Golden Valley Planning
Staff liaison, Kiarra Zackery, provides terms of holding the BAEGV event. First, she asks the
commissioners about the formality of the event. Commissioner Allen provides feedback
regarding the benefits of holding the event formal. Commission discusses the benefits of
holding the event virtual, in-person or hybrid. Concerns regarding facing individuals that
may go against the values of the commission is held during the conversation. Staff liaison,
Kiarra Zackery provides feedback and logistics of how a hybrid meeting is set up.
September 28, 2021 – 6:30 pm
Council Conference Room
Golden Valley City Hall
7800 Golden Valley Road
City of Golden Valley Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commission Regular Meeting
September 28, 2021 – 6:30 pm
2
Work Plan Development: Land acknowledgement, Bill Hobbs, and MLK essay
Commissioner Kim provides and update on the subcommittee’s ideas for land
acknowledgment. The commission also talks about nominations for the Bills Hobbs Award.
Staff liaison, Kiarra Zackery, updates the commissioners with the current state of
nominations and advertising. Commissioners offer their experience on the process of the
Bill Hobbs Award, historically. Staff liaison, Kiarra Zackery asks commissioners to start
brainstorming ideas and themes for the MLK essay. Commissioners provides ideas
surrounding community and belonging, social justice, hate versus love, and what it is to be
a good neighbor. Commissioner Mitchell provides a comparison of a Beloved community
quote to the Community theme. Commissioner Paradise asks if the assignment can be
combined with school life. Commissioner Allen provides an idea about the assignment
surrounding favorite quotes. Commission all agrees on the theme of community building.
Commissioner Hixon talks about love being universal and how this should be combined
with the theme. Commission Allen questions if love is the main topic, it may be too abstract
and take away the main focus of MLK and would like to see the assignment focus more on
Civil Rights and inclusion. Commission all agrees to tie in the Beloved community quote,
inclusion, and love.
New Business
Equity Changes in Golden Valley
Staff liaison, Kiarra Zackery explains the climate and changes that have been occurring in
Golden Valley and the feedback that is being received from community members in regards
to equity. Commissioners go into discussion about critique, fear, racism, and micro
aggressiveness in the community. Staff liaison, Kiarra Zackery talks about strategizing,
building, and organizing to ensure commission’s work is impactful and important.
Commissioner Paradise asks if commission is able to educate community members to help
people understand equity and the DEI's mission. Commissioner Allen talks about making a
public statement on behalf of the commission. Commissioner Kim discusses ways to create
safe spaces and share stories about equity. Commission questions about the cities’ PEACE
Commission and their position, engagement, and involvement with building equity and
Golden Valley. Commission agrees to continue to focus on the mission for community
engagement and inclusion with minimal distractions.
Adjourn
MOTION by Commissioner Allen and seconded by Commissioner Kim to adjourn at 8:11pm.
Motion carried.
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Date
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Kiarra Zackery, Equity and Inclusion Manager