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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-17-2015 Human Rights CommissionAGENDA HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION HELLING CONFERENCE ROOM, CITY HALL February 17, 2015 6:00 P.M. 1. Call Meeting to Order/ Roll Call 2. Approval of Minutes January 20, 2015 3. Public Comment of Items Not on the Agenda 4. New Business: a. Demographics Survey for Report on Equity b. Funding Request from KoNec Cultural Diversity Awareness Program c. Co -Sponsorship Request for Night of 1,000 Dinners 5. Old Business: a. Funding Request Form (Bowers) b. Volunteer Fair for Retired Persons (Retish) c. Commission Action Plan 2015 (Bowers) i. Education Programming Update (Hart) ii. Education Outreach Update (Ghoneim) iii. Community Outreach (Hanrahan) 6. Upcoming Events/Programs: a. Open Meetings and the Law Training (April 1) b. Youth Awards 2015 (May 13) c. Save the Date: Human Rights Awards Breakfast 2015 (October 28) 7. Reports: a. 2015 Choice Awards (Olmstead, Hanrahan, Hart) b. Juneteenth (Olmstead, Hart) c. Education Subcommittee (Retish, Olmstead, Coulter) d. Building Communities Subcommittee (Townsend) i. Housing Choice Voucher e. University of Iowa Center for Human Rights Board (Ghoneim, Olmstead) f Racial Equity & Diversity Initiative (Bowers) g. Commission h. Staff i. City Seasonal Summer Hire Job Fair (February 24) ii. Charter Review Commission Forum (February 24) iii. Citizens Police Review Annual Forum (April 28) 8. Set Next Regular Meeting Date: March 17 at 6:00 pm 9. Adjourn The Human Rights Commission meetings follow the Iowa City Community School District closings for inclement weather except for early dismissals for heat. Minutes Preliminary Human Rights Commission January 20, 2015 — 6 PM Emma J. Harvat Hall Members Present: Harry Olmstead, Orville Townsend Sr, Kim Hanrahan, Joe D. Coulter, Stella Hart, Paul Retish, Edie Pierce -Thomas. Members Not Present: Shams Ghoneim, Ali Ahmed. Staff Present: Stefanie Bowers. Recommendations to Council: No. Call to Order: Coulter called the meeting to order at 18:00. Consideration of the Minutes from the December 15, 2014 Meeting Date: Motion Townsend, seconded by Hanrahan. Motion passed 6-0. (Olmstead not present). New Business Introduction of New Commissioner Pierce -Thomas moved back to Iowa City from West Lafayette, Indiana where she served on the Human Relations Commission. She is looking forward to serving on the Human Rights Commission. Election of Chair Motion Townsend to nominate Coulter as the 2015 Chair, seconded by Hart. Motion passed 5-2. (Olmstead and Coulter in the negative). r Election of Vice Chair Motion Coulter to nominate Hanrahan as the 2015 Vice Chair, seconded by Relish. Motion passed 5-2. (Hart and Olmstead in the negative). Affordable Housing & Inclusionary Zoning Olmstead mentioned the recent Council Work Session (1-6-2015) on affordable housing and inclusionary zoning. Specifically the Council discussion on Riverfront Crossing. Motion Olmstead for a letter to be sent to the Council applauding and supporting its recent discussion on affordable housing and also asking Council to continue to look at the various options available in the future for affordable and inclusionary zoning here in Iowa City, seconded Hanrahan. Motion passed 7-0. Juneteenth Celebration 150 Year Anniversary Bowers provided a brief history of the national holiday along with the financial contribution by the Commission in the past for the event. The event will be held here in Johnson County on June 27. Olmstead and Hart will serve on the planning committee for Juneteenth. Commissioners discussed providing financial sponsorship for Juneteenth. In the past the Commission has sponsored at an amount of $350. ' Coulter voted for Olmstead. Motion by Hart for 2 Commission members to join the planning committee for Juneteenth and possibly plan a program for the event, seconded by Hanrahan. Motion passed 7-0. Motion by Townsend to provide sponsorship at $400 for the 2015 Juneteenth event, seconded by Hart. Motion passed 5-2. (Hanrahan and Pierce -Thomas in the negative). Black History Month Proclamation Hanrahan will accept the proclamation on behalf of the Commission along with a student friend on Monday, February 9 at the formal Council meeting. Invitation to Co -Sponsor Injustice On Our Plates: How Conditions of Food Workers Affect Us All The Commission agreed to sponsor this event without providing financial assistance. The Commission instead will send out notice of the event being held on February 28 from 9-3 at the University Capital Center. Motion by Hart, seconded by Pierce -Thomas. Motion passed 7-0. Sponsorship Request 2015 Choice Event The event will be held at the Hotel Vetro on Friday, January 23 starting at 5. The Commission chose to sponsor the event in the amount of $250. All the money raised for the event goes to the deProsse Access Fund that subsidizes services for under insured women and men accessing health care services at the Emma Goldman Clinic. Sponsorship comes with two complimentary tickets. Olmstead and Hanrahan will attend on behalf of the Commission. Motion Olmstead, seconded by Hart. Motion passed 7-0. Funding Request Soul Food Dinner The soul food dinner will be held on Friday, February 20 at either City High School or Grant Wood Elementary School. The Commission chose to offer financial sponsorship in the amount of $125 to assist with the cost of food, utensils and additional supplies. Commissioners respectfully request to be acknowledged on event information as a contributor. Motion Olmstead, seconded by Hanrahan. Motion passed 7-0. Old Business Center for Worker Justice Just Employment Initiative Bowers spoke about her concerns when the Commission actively investigates alleged human rights violations at their monthly meetings. Bowers cautioned that such action may cause complaints filed with the office to be transferred to another jurisdiction because the Commission is no longer impartial in the matter. Bowers suggested that the Commission discuss alternative ways to advocate and or support allegations of human rights violations. Volunteer Fair for Retired Persons Retish reports that he is currently looking at area organizations or nonprofits to assist with planning, volunteer fair for retired persons. Elder Services is an option but it may be a few more weeks before a meeting can be set up to discuss the venture in more detail due to staff changes at Elder Services. Action Plan 2015 Commissioners moved forward on approving the action plan for 2015. Motion Olmstead, seconded by Townsend. Motion passed 7-0. 2 Upcoming Events/Proarams Youth Awards The Mayor has been asked to deliver the keynote at this annual event being held on May 13 Reports Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Proclamation Bowers accepted the proclamation at the January 6 formal Council meeting on behalf of the Commission Human Rights Breakfast The Commission decided to hold its 2015 Breakfast at the Iowa Memorial Union (IMU). Bowers will follow up with a date and also request more service at the tables and better signage for the future event Motion Olmstead, seconded Pierce -Thomas. Motion passed 7-0. Education Retish, Olmstead and Hanrahan all serve on the Iowa City Community School District's (ICCD) Equity Committee. The Policy and Engagement Committee of the ICCSD will be meeting in the near future to discuss the diversity plan and how to move forward on reducing some of the overrepresentation within the ICCSD as it relates to youth of color. Building Communities The Black Voices Project plans on holding small group discussions at various location in the community including The Spot. Townsend will provide an update on the status of this outreach at future Commission meetings. University oflowa Center for Human Rights The Kenneth J. Cmiel Funded Human Rights Internship applications are due on March 13. Equity Bowers gave a summary of the recent Council Work Session and discussion on the equity report held on January 13. Commission Hart reported that there will be upcoming street harassment trainings. She will forward an announcement for distribution to Bowers in the near future. Staff Bowers gave an update on the Youth Police Academy being planned for the summer. Adjournment: 20:23 Next Regular Meeting — February 17, 2015 at 6:00 pm. Human Rights Commission ATTENDANCE RECORD YEAR 2014/2015 KEY: X TERM 2/18/ 3/18/ 4/29/ 5/20/ 6/17/ 7/15/ 8/19/ 9/16/ 10/2/ 10/21/ 11/18 12/15 1/20 NAME EXP. 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 15 Edle Pierce- 1/1/2016 Thomas JoDCo 1/12016 X X X X X O/E X X X X X X X Harry 1/12016 X X X X X X X X X X X X X Olmstead PaulRedsh 1/12017 X O/E X X X O/E X O/E X O/E O/E X X Ali Ahmed 1/12017 X O/E O/E O/E X X X O/E X X X —X X O Orville 1/12017 —X O/E X X. X X X X X X X X Townsend, Sr. Kim 1/12018 X X X O/E O/E X X X X X X X X Hanrahan Shams 1/12018 X X X X X X X X X X X X OX Ghoneim Stella Hart 1/12018 _ _ _ _ X X X O/E X X X X X Andrea Cohen 1/12016 X O/E X X X X X O/E X O/E X X R KEY: X = Present O = Absent O/E = Absent/Excused NM = No meeting — = No longer a member R = Resignation 4 Late handouts from Human Rights Commission Meeting held on Tuesday, January 20, 2015. COPY From: Clado -Bennett, Robin <robin-dark-bennett@uiowa.edu> Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2015 11:19 AM `�-l• To: Harry Olmstead v N Cc: Stefanie Bowers Subject: RE: Conference Attachments: Injustice_On_Our Plates flier final.pdf Dear Harry and Stefanie, Per our previous emails, I'm attaching the flyer for the Labor Center's upcoming conference on Saturday February 28, 2015 from 9am-3pm entitled "Injustice on Our Plates: How Conditions of Food Workers Affect us All." The conference will be held on the second floor of the Old Capitol Mall and is currently co-sponsored by: the University of Iowa Center for Human Rights, Office of Sustainability, Department of Communication Studies, Department of History, Public Policy Center, Chief Diversity Office, and Latina/o Studies Minor, along with the Center for Worker Justice of Eastern Iowa, and the Iowa Federation of Labor. The Iowa City Human Rights Commission would be welcome to also co-sponsor the conference, if the commission is interested in doing so. Co-sponsors agree to help publicize the conference, and if possible they contribute $100 toward the cost of the honorarium and travel for the keynote, as well as interpretation and other conference costs. Co-sponsors are listed on all publicity (the flyer is already printed, but future publicity could be amended to reflect any changes). The conference is free and open to the public, and will be simultaneously interpreted in Spanish. The keynote speaker will be Fakkak Mamdouh, co-founder and codirector of a dynamic restaurant workers' organization called Restaurant Opportunities Centers United (ROC), and co-author with Rinku Sen of The Accidental American: Immigration and Citizenship in the Age of Globalization. ROC brings together restaurant workers, consumers, and high -road employers to confront race -based barriers to advancement, sexual harassment, low pay, and unsafe conditions that workers commonly face in this industry. Mr. Mamdouh is a Moroccan -American immigrant who, prior to co-founding ROC, served as headwaiter at Windows on the World restaurant in the World Trade Towers until September 11, 2001. As he and his co-workers were forced to find new restaurant employment in the wake of the attack, they formed ROC -New York to confront the discrimination and poor conditions they found in the restaurant industry. Since then, ROC has grown to include more than 13,000 restaurant workers in 26 states. The organization has recovered over $10 million in unpaid wages for restaurant workers, produced dozens of reports about conditions in the industry, runs advanced restaurant workers training and placement programs, and has assisted restaurant workers in opening several co-operatively owned restaurants (htta://rocunited.org/ ) Other conference sessions will include: an overview of the 21 st century food industry; reports on current national projects to raise standards in restaurant, fast food, meatpacking, and agricultural work; and a panel discussion featuring local food workers. We are very excited about this conference, and encourage you to participate. Registration information and other details are listed on the flyer. Please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions you may have. Best regards, Robin Clark -Bennett From: Harry Olmstead [Harry03@aol.com] Sent: Thursday, December 18, 2014 3:26 PM COPY To: Clark -Bennett, Robin Cc: Stefanie Bowers Subject: Conference Robin: I've asked Stefanie to put the conference request on our January Agenda. When you get flyers get them to Stefanie and she can mail it out with our January package. There are 9 commissioners and the flyer will need to be to Stefanie the week before our meeting. The date of our next meeting will be January 20, 2015. Truly, Harry Olmstead, Chairperson Iowa City Human Rights Commission COPY A one -day conference designed to bring together civil rights, labor, faith, and sustainable food activists and members of the University community to discuss current initiatives to create jobs with dignity for the people who harvest, process, cook, and serve our food. TOPICS WILL INCLUOE= • What challenges do workers face in the 21st -century food industry? • How are workers, consumers, and policy makers coming together to raise standards? • What's happening in Iowa? Keynote Speaker Fekkak Mamdouh Co -Director of Restaurant Opportunities Centers United (ROC) and co-author of The Accidental American: 3. Immigration and Citizenship in the Age of Globalization. SATURDAY B 28 UN- PH 2520-D University Capitol Centre, Iowa City (2nd floor Did Capitol Mail) Free and open to the public. Lunch provided for participants who register by February 23. To register, or for further information, call the University of Iowa Labor Center at 319-335-4144. L From: Sam Hargadine <Sam-Hargadine@iowa-clty.org> Sent: Saturday, January 17, 2015 9:55 AM To: Retish, Paul M Cc: Stefanie Bowers Subject: RE: Meeting I enjoyed the talk too. I'm still trying to remember how Mel Gibson ever came up 9+ years ago. V Beat 5 will be officer not assigned to the permanent beats 1 through 4. Float officers which will include K-9, SCAT or Street Crimes Action Team, an officer brought in on OT for a traffic detail. Also keep in mind that on a given day there may be an officer that is permanently assigned to work Beat 3. Hypothetically, Beat 3 may have everyone there but Beat 2 has nobody because one is on vacation and another called in sick. If there is a problem area the Watch Commander may reassign one or two from the overloaded area in to the area that is understaffed. While the Beat 3 officer is supposed to be in one area all of his/her activities for the day will show up in another. One of the things Dr. Barnum pointed out in his presentation to Council were officers that were assigned to the West side of town but they had a higher propensity or stop ratio in the S.E. side of town. That doesn't automatically mean that he's a cowboy picking on Persons of Color in the S.E. beat. Samuel E. Hargadine Chief of Police Iowa City Police Department 401 E. Washington Street Iowa City, IA 52245 ---Original Message ----- From: Retish, Paul M [mailto:paul-retish@uiowa.edu] Sent: Saturday, January 17, 2015 9:40 AM To: Sam Hargadine Cc: Stefanie Bowers Subject: Meeting Chief. Thanks for your time on Friday. I appreciated your openness and frank discussion. I hope to open a discussion with the human rights commission as to how we can be a positive influence on community relations. I am reading the Traffic Study you shared with me and I have one question. The map continually shows 4 beat areas but the data includes 5 areas. Where or what is the fifth area? Thanks again. Paul Retish Sent from my !Pad Stefanie Bowers From: Chace Ramey <Ramey.Chaoe@iowacityschools.org> Sent: Tuesday, January 20, 2015 5:46 PM l (✓V/^// To: Stefanie Bowers; Harry Olmstead (Harry03@aol.com) Cc: Kingsley Botchway; Stephen Mudey V Subject: ICHRC Letter to Superintendent Mudey Good Evening Stefanie and Harry. I hope that things are well with you. the Superintendent forwarded me the letter the ICHRC sent to him earlier this winter. We are enthusiastic about the commission's desire to support the work of the school district, and the points referenced in the letter align with the work of the District's Equity Committee. I have spoken with Director Botchway, as well as Superintendent Murley, and we agree that this collaborative effort should flow through our Equity Committee. We are appreciative of your interest in assisting the District and look forward to you contacting Kingsley and working with our Equity Committee. Thanks and have a great week. Chace a 6R. Chace Ramey Chief Community Affairs Officer/ Chief Human Resources Officer Iowa City Community School District 319.688.1005 @Ramey ICCSD NOTICE: All email communications to and from the District's email server are archived in accordance with District policy and procedures. This email communication, including attachments, contains information which may be confidential and/or legally privileged, and may otherwise be exempt from disclosure under applicable law. The information is intended solely for the use of the addressee. If you are not the intended recipient or believe you received this communication in error, please reply to the sender indicating that fact and delete the copy you received. In addition, if you are not the intended recipient or believe you received this communication in error, any unauthorized retention, copying, disclosure, distribution, or other use of the information is strictly prohibited. Thank you. r V9'' o do-\ Outside the White Space ` A study of how race and culture intertwine in our diversifying society. By TRICIA ROSE THE DRAMATIC CHANGES Spurred by the civil rights movement and other 1960s social upheavals are often chronicled as a time line of catalytic legal victories that end- ed anti -black segregation. Jeff Chang's "Who We Be: The Col- orization of America" claims that cultural changes were equally Important in transforming Amer- ican society, and that both the legal and cultural forms of deseg- regation faced a sustained hostile response that continues today. According to Chang, the author WHO WE 8E The Coloriration of Amerkm HY Jeff Chang Illustrated. 403 pp. St. Martin's Press $32.99 of "Can't Stop Won't Stop: A His- tory of the Hip -Hop Generation, muhiculturalisin challenged who and'•:what defined America, going straight tothe heart of who "we" thought we were and who "we" aspired to be. Attacks on exclu- sions by multicultural scholars and artists were taking place everywhere. University battles raged over whether the West- ern literature canon should con- tinue to be elevated, or imagined outside the polmes of racial hier- archies. Artistsconfronted the nearly all -white and all-male elite art world. Chang even describes Coca-Cola's influential 1971 "I'd like to teach the world to sing" advertisement as a signal of how profitable a "harmonious" multi- cultural marketing plan could be. But over the next several decades, all the way through Obama's elec- tions, powerful counterattacks were launched, increasingly in racially oblique language. "Both sides understood that battles over culture were high-stakes," Chang writes. "The struggle between restoration and transformation, retrenchment and change, began in culture." "Who We Be" is ambitious in its scope, an impressive gathering of a wide range of artists of color, with their creative interventions and politically charged war sto- mlcu Rose is the director of the Center for the Study of Race and Ethnicity inAmeriaa at Brown University and the author of "The ries. Chang is an artful narrator, who uses biographical detail, personal texture and histori- cal and political context to bring his stories to life. He highlights important but unsung heroes like the 1960s trailblazer Moine Turner, who struggled to break into newspapers with his playful A collection of Martie Turner.'- "Wee Pals -cone strips,1970. but politically sharp multiracial "Wee Pals" comic strip. Chang's description of Turner's meeting with Aaron McGruder, the young hotshot creator of the syndicated strip "The Boondocks," conveys an entire fraught history of race through their careers. Turner and McGruder represent different historical moments, and yet so much seemed the same for each of them. There has been nothing comic about all the ways they and other nonwhite artists found themselves excluded, or forced into racial corners even as a few superstars were being mifividu- atlyy elevated. Stories like these suggest that multiculturalism was not so much about demanding a seat at the existing table (although some seemed comfortable with that outcome). Instead, it was really about the tenacious drive of so many creative people of color to fundamentally change the cul- tures of whiteness that saturated art, education, marketing and communications. Nonetheless, Chang's myriad portraits - beg for a stronger overarching narrative than he provides. While you are immersed in an ocean of multi- cultural stories, the details swim around you like schools of vivid fish. But after you come up for air, you have just taken in. What, ul- timately, do all these skirmishes about race, American culture and multiculturalism add up to? In fact, Chang's pages on artists working in the "postmulticultural moment" — the younger genera- tion the curator Thelma Golden and the artist Glenn Ligon half - jokingly called "postblack" — hit on an unsettling. possible future, one where collective anti -racist identities could disappear long before racial discrimination does. It seems that the political litmus tests that defined earlier genera- tions of black, Hispanic and Asian artists, who necessarily relied on consolidated racial and eth- nic identities to break down the walls of exclusion, are now often considered pass@ and perhaps somewhat embarrassing to a younger generation. postmulticulturahsts may bristle at the limitations of iden- tity politics, but it is not clear that the hyperfndividualist, market - friendly kind -of postmulticultur- alist creativity has actually freed anyone. And it could.be that..new, kinds of limitations are develop- ing. The demand to be recognized as a unique and individual mul- ticultural artist fails to confront continuing racialized constraints and marginalizations, not only in the art world and mass media but also on the streets. Given the stakes, I would have enjoyed learning more about collective creative practices designed to retain a political multicultural- ism, in contrast to the bevy of individual artistic visions Chang presents. Surely our national fabric is more racially diverse than ever before, and a few more people of color have access to powerful cultural institutions. At the same time, "Who We Be" left me won- dering about the resilience of pow- er. It is possible but not inevitable that multiculturalism will fuel the creation of an anti -racist and fully inclusive society. But it is also possible that we could become the land of multiracial society that keeps its darker -skinned people at the bottom to provide cultural raw material to a powerful white elite that celebrates the diversity on which it depends. As "Who We Be" makes clear, there is evidence for both trajectories, thoughit does not take a stand on this ren- sion. It leaves us in mid -battle with reasons to be both worried FEBRUARY 17, 2015 MEETING PACKET COPY Policy for Funding Request to Commission The Iowa City Human Rights Commission can donate funds to organizations and agencies that collaborate with the Iowa City Human Rights Commission in providing such things as organizing, planning and facilitating educational public forums or programs and activities designed to eliminate racial, religious, cultural and other intergroup tensions including but not limited to sex, color, creed, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, age and national origin. Agenda Item 4b February 4, 2015 Henri Harper Executive Director KoNec 2929 E Court st Iowa City Iowa 52240 Dear Mr. Coulter, My Name is Henri Harper; I am the Executive Director of KoNec Cultural Diversity Awareness Program formerly known as Fastrac. We are taking our 7a' Annual Civil Rights HBCU tour. The annual Civil Rights and HBCU Tour (Historical Black Colleges and Universities) has been a life -changing experience for the youth and adults that attend. The dates for this year's tour are June 6 —15. The trip is available to KoNec students. The students and chaperones travel by bus to learn about the Civil Rights movement and visit Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU's). Students are each given a notebook to take notes in preparation for a paper to be written at the end of the trip. They also post messages on our trip blog. Family, friends, community members, people across the country and local newspapers have followed their posts in previous years. At the end of many days during the tour, we all gather and share reflections on our experiences that day. Memorable experiences included visiting: Slave Haven, the Lorraine Hotel and National Civil Rights Museum and the Stax Museum in Memphis; the 16a' Street Baptist Church, Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, and the Birmingham Police and Fire Departments in Birmingham; walking over the Edmund Pettus bridge outside of Selma; the Southern Poverty Law Center in Montgomery, and the Martin Luther King Museum in Atlanta. We also visited Tuskegee College, Alabama State University, Clark College, Morehouse College, Spellman College and Georgia State University We currently have 6 students attending HBCU schools from Iowa City. The annual Civil Rights and HBCU Tour (Historical Black Colleges and Universities) has been a life -changing experience for the youth and adults that attend. The dates for this year's tour are June 6 —15. The trip is available to KoNec students. Shabree Marshall: City High Graduate 2011 Bree wrote: If it wasn't for FasTrac, I would be strung out on drugs. If it wasn't for FasTrac, I would be a failure walking in defeat. If it wasn't for FasTrac, I wouldn't have a strong desire for education. If it wasn't for FasTrac, I would be on probation and on my way to jail. But because of FasTrac, I am holding a 3.2 G.P.A. and on my way to Alabama State University. Because of FasTrac, I respect my parents, leaders, teachers, authority, family and friends. Because of FasTrac, I am an asset to the community and not a liability. Because of FasTrac! —Shabree Marshall, 2011 Majesty Tutson; City High Graduate 2009 — Graduated from University of Iowa 2013- Now a Graduate Student @Alabama State University Montgomery Alabama. Coaching Track & Field This year we are asking for sponsors of students, The students would be accountable to their sponsor and will make a reports and establish a long term relationship. The student would write a report and present to their sponsor. The family will meet with their sponsor before we leave We are asking you to sponsor two students $500 each total $1000. Sincerely, Herm Harper Executive Director KoNec Agenda Item 4c Stefanie Bowers From: oksana unaiowa.org <oksana@unaiowa.org> Sent: Wednesday, February 11, 2015 12:49 PM To: HumanRights Subject: Night of 1,000 Dinners oo-sponsorship opportunity Hello, My name is Oksana Weir and I am the U.N. Campaign Organizer for the Iowa United Nations Association. Our upcoming annual event, Night of 1,000 Dinners, is soon approaching. It will be held on March 5th. The theme this year is Women and the Environment. We will be having a panel of women at the event who will speak about the environment and the issues at hand. Because our event is called night of 1,000 dinners we will also have varieties of cuisine from different cultures and ethnicities at the event. I am reaching out to you to see if you would be willing to co-sponsor the event with us'! We will include City of Iowa City Human Rights Commission in all of our promotional material, so that we can help raise awareness about your organization as well. All we are asking from our co-sponsors is a small donation to help us offset the food costs. If you are interested or have any questions please feel free to contact me at oksana(Z�unaiowa.org. We are asking for a decision from our potential co-sponsors by Wednesday, February 18— ` o that we can promotional material out promptly. Thank you, Oksana Weir U.N Campaign Organizer Iowa United Nations Association oksana@,unaiowa.or¢ 11 r A CITY OF IOWA CITY July 1, 2015 Agenda item 5c City of Iowa City Human Rights Commission 410 E. Washington St. Iowa City, IA 52240 319-356-5022 hu manriehtsCcDiowacitv.ore Thank you for your interest in sponsorship from the City of Iowa City Human Rights Commission. The Human Rights Commission (HRC) is pleased to make funding available for community events, programs and activities that will in- crease the HRS's mission to educate the public on human rights and illegal discrimination or eliminate racial, religious, cultural and other intergroup tensions. In order for us to process your request for sponsorship we need for you to take a few minutes to fill out the attached application form. Please note sponsorship requests are due by 5 pm on the second Tuesday of each month. The Iowa City Human Rights Commission will review the request at their monthly meeting. Staff will contact you by email, un- less otherwise noted, letting you know whether the request was approved or denied. OUR MISSION STATEMENT READS: Cooperate, within the limits of any appropriations made for its operation, with other agencies or organizations, both public and private, whose purposes are not inconsistent with those of this title, and in the planning and conducting of programs designed to eliminate racial, religious, cultural and other intergroup tensions; Educate the public on human rights and illegal discrimination, such as organizing and facilitating educational public forums that address one or more of the broad range of topics included within the rubric of human rights. In the last year we have co-sponsored the following events: Juneteenth Celebration 2015 150 Year Anniversary Johnson County Americans with Disabilities Act Celebration 2014 University of Iowa Center for Human Rights One Community One Book 2014 HRC APPLICATION FORM REQUESTING SPONSORSHIP FY16 Organization Details: Group/Organization Name: Contact Postal address: Email City: State: Zip Code: Group/Organization email address: Website: Date of activity/program/event: Describe how the activity, program, or event will create or have a positive impact in our community: Describe Amount of funds requesting $ What other funders are involved? How does your activity/program/event support our mission? Area (Check the box(es) that best describes the area in which your activity/program/event fall): Arts & Culture Community Event Fundraiser/Charity Other (Please Focus (Check the box that best describes the coverage of your activity/program/event): Local Regional National SUBMIT PROPOSALS TO: Human Rights Coordinator Human Rights Commission City Hall 410 E. Washington Street Iowa City, IA 52240-1826 319-356-5022 OR EMAIL PROPOSALS TO: humanrights@iowa-city.org Office use only: Approved: Not Approved: Agenda item 5c r CITY OF IOWA CITY HUMAN Alexis commission Action Plan January 2015 — December 2015 Adopted January 20, 2015 A goal setting session was held on October 2, 2014, at the Eastside Recycling Environmental Education Center. The following Commissioners were in attendance and participated at this meeting: Harry Olmstead (Chair), Andrea Cohen (Vice -Chair), Shams Ghoneim, Paul Retish, Stella Hart, Ali Ahmed, Orville Townsend Sr., and Kim Hanrahan. Also in attendance was Human Rights Coordinator Stefanie Bowers. Commissioner Joe D. Coulter was unable to attend. What follows is the prioritization of initiatives identified at the goal setting session. The initiatives will be reviewed by the Commission at its monthly meetings on a quarterly basis. ON-GOING INITIATIVES Human Rights Breakfast. Youth Awards. Job Fair. Collaboration with community organizations & groups. Participation in community events. Sponsor professional development programs. ORGANIZATIONAL INITIATIVES Continue sub -committees. Initiate more educational programs and outreach programs from trends reported in the Annual Report or the Equity Report. Increase participation of all Commissioners in Commission sponsored events, programs and outreach. NEW INITIATIVES Action Step Lead Other Expected Target Start Completion ComrW;Woner Commission Outcome Members Audience Dalp Date Outreach to Hold Kim Hanrahan InvolvedQbjectK4 Orville Foster Community Community Listening Townsend Sr., Community Posts Stella Hart Dialogue & Community Engagement Outreach to Present Joe D. Coulter Paul Retish Maintain Council Council Proclamations Positive , Provide Relationship Notice of with the Upcoming Council Programs & Events Educational Events on Stella Hart Harry Community Community Events for the Affordable, Olmstead Engagement, Community Universal, & Education, & Accessible Outreach Housing Educational Presentations Shams Orville Awareness Schools, Presentations on Who the Ghoneim Townsend Sr., about the Community to the Commission is All Ahmed Commission & Groups, Community and the Role Access to Service Clubs, the Resources Faith Commission Communities Plays in the Community Agenda Item 7g ACTION PLAN 1. Train and educate employees on cultural competence, inclusion and the value of diversity. A firm knowledge of these concepts and how explicit and implicit biases create inequities will assist the City in being able to better carry out present and future initiatives and ultimately provide better customer service. Initial trainings will concentrate on employees that have direct interaction with consumers. Staff will complete pre and post evaluations to ensure training goals are met. The outcomes will be measured by feedback received from the community on interactions with City staff with specific emphasis on feedback from minority consumers. 2. Increase diversity of boards/commissions to better reflect the demographics of the community. City boards and commissions play a pivotal role of influencing future policy through recommendations to the Council. Having advisory boards that reflect the diverse community has several benefits for the individual and the City overall. Staff will track the demographics (race, national origin, etc.) of individuals who apply for vacancies on boards/commissions through a voluntary survey. Demographical information will be analyzed and compared to the current demographics of boards and commissions. This should allow for a better understanding of whether minorities and those from historically underrepresented groups are applying for vacancies but are not getting appointed by Council or if a lack of interest or lack of knowledge of the vacancies exists on the part of minorities and those from historically underrepresented groups. Staff will also evaluate the process used for appointments to boards/commissions and look at best practices to engage all community members to participate in this form of civic leadership. Eventually this action plan will expand to include increasing the number of persons from historically underrepresented groups and the immigrant communities who participate in the Citizen's Police Academy. Increasing the knowledge and understanding of daily police operations can assist in building relationships and trust between the police and minority groups in the community. 3. Work with and encourage other municipalities and government entities within Johnson County to collect data and report on the status of equity within their iurisdiction. Local governments can work together to address disproportionality strategically by joining Cedar Rapids (April 2014) and Iowa City (August 2014) in publishing an annual Equity Report. 4. Create workforce equity to eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in the workforce by increasing outreach. Staff will collect and analyze demographical data on individuals who apply for employment with the City and compare that data to who is ultimately hired by the City. 80 As a part of this process staff will collect data from historically underrepresented groups to ascertain how notice of City job vacancies might be better made available to members of ethnic and minority groups, and also what prevents or serves as a barrier to minorities who wish to 80 The ability to collect this information will be implemented with the full conversion to the online Munis Employment Application System. Munis allows for more concise statistical information to be collected and retrieved in a time efficient manner. f Sx apply for employment with the City. Once trends and factors have been evaluated over a course of time, staff may expand future action plans to include other potential barriers to minority employment with the City. 5. A Statement of Commitment from the Council. A resolution by the Council that states it is working to eliminate disparities within the City government. The Council must support opportunity to achieve equity and create a more inclusive community. The resolution would include for the Council to evaluate the effects that local policies and laws have on minorities and individuals from historically underrepresented groups through the use of a disparity impact analysis when voting on matters that come before it. at ei A racial equity impact statement is an analysis of how different racial and ethnic groups are affected by a proposed action, policy, or decision. A racial equity impact statement seeks to identify ways to maximize equity and inclusion while minimizing adverse and unanticipated impacts on different racial and ethnic groups. Source: www.arc.org. ff" City of Iowa City �, E uityReport ACTION PLAN FOR POLICE DEPARTMENT TO REDUCE RACIAL/ETHNIC DISPARITY The police are the first and most visible agents of the criminal justice system. Police are charged with responding to calls for service, monitoring citizens' behavior in public, intervening with warnings, referrals, or arrests when violations of law are suspected or observed, and assembling evidence for the prosecution of cases resulting in arrest. The Police Department will engage in the following 6 strategies to temper racial disparity at this level of the criminal justice system. 1. Engage in the community: The Police Department will actively seek community participation opportunities and look for innovative ways to build relationships with minority populations. 2. Increase diversity within the police force: A diverse police force increases creativity and problem solving, attracts and retains talent, builds better relationships in the community that result in more confidence and effective service, and allows for a broader range of information for decision making and a wider range of solutions. 3. Require cultural competency training: Police officers often work in areas that are culturally different from their own. In the absence of a more specific orientation to the language, norms, values, and traditions of other cultures, officers can misunderstand residents' attitudes as disrespectful of law enforcement. As a result, relations between the police and the community can become seriously impaired. Ongoing cultural competency training of police officers can help in this situation by: increasing respect and mutual understanding among those involved; increasing creativity in problem -solving through new perspectives, ideas, and strategies; decreasing unanticipated consequences that might slow progress; and increasing trust. 4. Conferences/Forums/Trainings: Officers will attend conferences, forums, and trainings regarding cultural competency. 5. Monitoring for indicators indicative of racial profiling: Interaction between officers and residents is subject to close and effective supervision to assure compliance with Department guidelines. Specific to monitoring for behavior of racial profiling, the Department will survey the community every 3 years by randomly surveying every 100th individual involved in a call for service and randomly review the videos of officers throughout the year for indications of unprofessional or bias based behavior. 6. Increase awareness of the complaint process: The Department recognizes the benefits of an effective complaint process. An effective complaint process offers empowerment, a better understanding of policing, and accountability. The Department will work towards increasing community awareness of how an individual can initiate a complaint against the Department. City of Iowa City =�5t £quiryReport Currently a person has 4 options: 1) oral, written, or email report to a Supervisor; 2) written complaint submitted to the Department; 3) CPRB complaint filed with the City Clerk; or 4) complaint filed with the Human Rights Office. - CiTY OF IOWA CiTY = MEMORANDUM Date: January 8, 2015 TO: Tom Markus, City Manager From: Geoff Frain, Assistant City Manager Sam Harpolne, Police Chief Stefarde Bowers, Equity Director Be: January 13th City Council Work Session In June of 2012, the City Council appointed an ad-hoc Diversity Committee to review law enforcement and transportation services as they relate to minority populations, and to review the polkies and procedures of the Citizens Police Review Board. Since that time, the City has made progress on the recornmerdatkms that were offered by the ad-hoc Diversity Committee. The City Council and public can track progress on the various efforts through periodic update reports that are distributed to Council and archived by the City Clerk, or by visiting the Diversity Initiative webpage at hito:tfwwww.kwv.oea/Pk1F2281. In recent months, high-profile national events have heightened community conversation about radal disparities locally. While we are pleased with both the short and long-term steps that we as a City have taken In the last two years to address disparltles, R is dear that we have more work to da In preparation for the City Coundrs January 13e work session, we would like to offer a framework for the Council to use as they consider the requests the City has recently received from the public in various forms (e4 emails, phone calls, public comments, media Interview; etc.) and determine the best path forward for the aommuNty. The framework would not replace what we have started in our respoues to the ad-hoc Diversity Committee recommendations. Rather It would supplement that effort and focus on building relationships and communication channels. Spscifk:allV, the framework focuses on the fire areas of eonversatb%accountability, outreach, training and justice. Conversation: We feel it would be very beneficial to more that comversatbns are being facilitated at all levels of the city, organhation. City Council meetings and work sessions may not be the most effective forums as the structure, agenda limitations, time and physical set-up can sometimes prevent healthy dialogue. To bWerfedlltate community conversation with staff, city management and elected omdels, we are suggesting the following actions: I. City Council listening posts; The Council should consider holding listening posts in various locations In the Community during 2015. Two Council member an rotate at each post. Key city staff could also be present. We recommend that each pat focus on spedged concerns articulated by the community, such as pollee matters, housing, employment and transportation. 2. "Roundtable.: The qty Manager, Assistant City Manager, Ponce Chlef and Equity Director should consider convening small regularly scheduled roundtable discussion with the chair or dlreda of foal community organizations that focus their efforts on eliminating racial disparities. Examples ofsuch groups may include the Mack Voices Project and the Center for Worker Justice. Expanded Coffee with a Coo: The Police Department launched Its version of Coffee with a Cop in 2014. The deparfineM would like to expand this initiative In 2MS and will rotate to different areas of the community. These events give residents and officers an opportunity to interact and connect with each other M a setting that Is more conducive to building relationships. January t 2015 Page 2 Accountability has been a term widely used across the country in room* months. it was also the focus of much discussbn with the ad-hoc Diversity Committee. Iowa City Is the only community In Iowa that has a Citizens Police Review Board (CPRE). While the CPRB is subject to limitations imposed by state and federal law, R undoubtedly adds a layer of accountability to the public Similarly, Iowa City Is one of a relatively small number of cities and cuvettes in Iowa that has a standing Human Rights Cbmmbslon and full-time staff focused on discrimination and diversity, Issues. To expand the City's aecw*abliltytothe community we are recommandbg three specific actions beyond the recommendations In the mWm Dkwft Committee report to be completed in 2015: L Investigate emerstngtedmobgy and equip all offbera with body amelias 2. Co mdmie to engage the service of St Ambrose UnhivsKyto quantify racial disparities in vehk%stops, tdtedm and searches, and commit to publicly presenting that dateto the City Council annually. The goal of this unique partnership end public review process Is to reduce disproportionate minority comped 3 Havathe CityCotmcg review the metros repotted on In the 2013 Equity Report and specify any new mmures by which the city shall be accountable for in the comingYears Since the formation of the ad-hoc Diversity Committee R has been a top priority of the Police Department to conduct more outreach to minority and underrepresented populations in the community. Examples of such outreach Include: • Collaboration with the Youth leadership Program and Children of Promise to launch the Badges for Baseball program • Participation In community events such as the Latino Fesdval, Party In the Park events, National Night Out, Juneteenth, and miscellaneous neighborhood meetings and picnics • Launching of the first Youth Police Academy and actively partnering with The Dream Center and Diversity Focus to bolster minority population in the second offering of that program • Partnering with local schcob to promote positive Interactions with officers and students, Including participation In a newly created 3 on 3 basketball program at South East Junior High School • Beams the first Iowa police department to appoint LGIFM liaisons to help foster positive relations • Concerted efforts to bolster neighborhood foot patrols and other community oriented policing strategies • Individual officers serve In various capacities with many local organizations and non-profit agencies, Including on the Board of Directors of organizations such as The Dream Center and Systems Unlimited The department Is working diligently to build and expand on these current efforts. We hope these efforts are helping to build awareness and strengthen relationships with youth, neighborhoods and key organizations in the community. To expand on these outreach efforts and develop new opportunities we recommend that the City Council: L Support the requested labor and financial resources in the Police Department's budget to arty out these activities 2. Council members continue to actively participate In these outreach uthAties when appropriate and feasible. Rea* elected official attendance with city staff at the Iowa City Mosque and the Pheasant Ridge neighborhood cookout are good examples of engagement that an be expanded. January B. 2015 Pape 3 Each year poke officers are esposed to multiple training sessions that focus on specialized topics. in the past year, all officer trainings have been conducted focusing on positive police interactions with: • Foreign nationals • Persons with disabilities who utilise service animals • Individuals covered under the American with Disabilities Act • LGI3Tgpopulations • Persons with mental health disorders The nest two ail offlcertmining sessions are scheduled in January and March of 2015. one will focus on Civil Rights and the second on bias -based policing and racial profiling. The last all officer training specifically on diversity was held In 2023. The above-mentioned trainings are held in addition to state mandated trainings on topics such as CPR and hazardous materials (blood bone pathogens. In addition to those in the Police Department, other city employees also receive diversity, training. In 2014, Transportation Services conducted s6c employee training sessions entitled 'Buffft DAw* Skft In the Tronslt WoAgvlacd'. Additionally, two training sessions for all employees on diversity and inclusion were held city wide In 200 Mother organkationwkle diverskytmining opportunity Is scheduled in February 20M To propalyfows employee tralaing on community needs our recommendation Is to tie City Council: L Authorizes the funds necessary for thesetrainkV 2 Communicate; any Was or perceived needs for training of any city employee group to the City Managers office 3, Consider pa ticlpe0ngfirsthand In future diversity tmming sessions that are offered to all Cityampioyaas Justim While the City does not manage the justice system In Johnson County, it certainly an play a role in advancing key Initiatives. There am several continuing efforts the city Is focusing on: • The Police Department has been a lead collaborator with the Iowa Clay Community School Dlstrkt, Johnson County Juvenile Court Services, and other key organisations in developing a program to address racial disparities In referrals to Juvenile court for first time offenders charged with disorderly conduct. We are optimistic that this program will reduce disparities and lay the groundwork for other similar efforts. • The Department has been working closely with the Iowa Department of Human Rights (1DHR), which is reviewing sample juvenile arrest reports and offering feedback to improve our police services • The Department Implemented a community service program In lieu of municipal infractions In downtown Iowa City and Is larking for ways to build participation • The City remains a strong supporter of the community ID program that is being led by Johnson County Staff recommends the following role for the City Council to faiRtate desired changes In the Justice system: 1. Be supportive and provide resources for the City's involvement Ina regional community ID program, which aims to open access to law enforcement and other municipal services 2. The Council should continue to be represented on the Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee. More frequent updates from the Council representative on the committee and regular review d meeting minutes will help the entire Council stay engaged with this cwnmkta, and Its various subcommittees. January 8, 2015 Page 4 The racial disparity Issues being discussed across the country and In Iowa City are incredibly complex Solutions will require a commitment and collaboration between all local govemments, community organisations, neighborhoods and resIdents. We believe the above -outlined framework will help further the needed work needed to move the community forward in a positive and productive manner. February Correspondence Stefanie Bowers From: LaTasha Massey<lmassey@co.johnson.ia.us> Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2015 11:34 AM To: Stefanie Bowers Subject: Re: Juneteenth 2015 Follow Up Human Rights Commission Great! I'll send out a more formal thank you in a bit. UD Please forgive any spelling errors, messages sent from my (Phone On Jan 21, 2015, at 11:09 AM, "Stefanie Bowers" <Stefanie-BowersCa)!owa-citv.ora> wrote: LaTasha, The Commission voted at its meeting last night to contribute $400 to the Juneteenth testivities for 2015. At your convenience can you please provide me with who the check should be made out to along with the mailing address? In addition, Commissioners Harry Olmstead and Stella Hart will serve on the subcommittee. I have included both Harry and Stella in this email. Their email addresses are below. stet la.d. ha rt@ftmail.com harryo3@aol.com (please note that is a letter o and not a zero after harry) Thanks, Stefanie Stefanie Bowers From: Stefanie Bowers Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2015 1:59 PM To: 'Raquishia Harrington' Subject: RE: Soul Food Dinner RaQuishia, I think if you put Iowa City Human Rights Commission that would be enough. Please let me know when you have flyers or a news release I can post here at the City. Stefanie From: Raquishia Harlington [mailto:raquishia-harrington@ncjc.org] Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2015 1:40 PM To: Stefanie Bowers Subject: RE: Soul Food Dinner Thank you all for deciding to support our efforts. This will be so helpful and yes I will make sure to include them on any material going out. Is there a logo or should it just be the human rights commission. Sent from my U.S. Cellular® Smartphone -------- Original message From: Stefanie Bowers Date:01/21/2015 12:23 PM (GMT -06:00) To: Raquishia Harrington' Subject: Soul Food Dinner RaQuishia, The Commission at its meeting last night voted to financially contribute to the 2015 Soul Food Dinner being held on Friday, February 20. The Commission agreed to provide $125. I will do a check request by the end of the week. It usually takes 7-10 business days for the check to be delivered. The check will be made out to the Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County. The Commission also respectfully requests to be noted as a contributor to the event in any news release or flyer. Sincerely, Stefanie Stefanie Bowers From: Clark -Bennett, Robin <robin-clark-benneft@uiowa.edu> Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2015 12:57 PM To: Stefanie Bowers Cc: 'Harry Olmstead' Subject: RE: Injustice on Our Plates: How Conditions of Food Workers Affect us All Hi Stefanie, Thank you - we appreciate the Commission's assistance in publicizing the conference. Please let me know if you need any additional information, or if the flyer needs to be in any other format in order to post it to the Commission website. We hope to see you there! Best regards, Robin Clark -Bennett Labor Educator University of Iowa Labor Center 100 BioVentures Center, Rm W130 Iowa City, Iowa 52242-5000 319-335-4891 -----Original Message ----- From: Stefanie Bowers [mailto:Stefanie-Bowers@iowa-city.org] Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2015 11:28 AM To: Claris -Bennett, Robin Cc: 'Harry Olmstead' Subject: Injustice on Our Plates: How Conditions of Food Workers Affect us All Robin, I am following up with you in regards to the request to the Human Rights Commission to co-sponsor the upcoming Injustice on Our Plates: How Conditions of Food Workers Affect Us All. The Commission at its meeting last night voted to offer support for the upcoming program by publicizing the event which will include sending notice out via email and also placing the flyer on the Commission website. I hope you will keep the Human Rights Commission in mind for future opportunities to either work together on programming or to co-sponsor events/programs. Sincerely, Stefanie Stefanie Bowers From: Stefanie Bowers Sent: Monday, January 26, 2015 9:09 AM To: 'icblackvoices@gmail.com';'mhurtedo516@gmail.com';'coulter.joe.d@gmail.com';'royceann porter (roycean nporter@msn.com)' Cc: Tom Markus; Geoff Fruin; Sam Hargadine; Stefanie Bowers Subject: Roundtable Conversations Alecia, Joe, Marcela & Royceann, First let me start by thanking each of you for your dedication and hard work on social justice here in the community. As mentioned at the City Council Work Session on January 13, City staff would like to begin ongoing conversations with the Chairs of local community organizations that focus on eliminating racial disparities. The Black Voices Project, Center for Worker Justice of Eastern Iowa, the Human Rights Commission, and the Coalition for Racial Justice were identified as being at the frontline of such activism. The roundtable conversations will include the City Manager, Assistant City Manager, Police Chief and Equity Director. It is our hope that the roundtable discussions serve as an opportunity for City staff to receive information on how we can improve in the area of racial equity and get feedback on current initiatives to combat disproportionality. To give adequate notice and to allow flexibility in scheduling could each of you please RSVP to me all the below days that would work for you? The meeting would be held from 12-1:30 here at City Hall in the City Manager's Conference Room. The City will provide a complimentary lunch. If the below days do not work for you we are far enough out in scheduling that we can expand the list of dates to allow for more flexibility and times. Wednesday, March 4; Friday, March 6; Tuesday, March 10; Wednesday, March 11; There is plenty of work ahead and I believe the roundtable conversations will help the City progress toward our intended goals while fostering better communications and relationships. Sincerely, Stefanie Bowers Equity Director MOM ®IOWA CITY HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION 410 E. Washington Street • Iowa City, Iowa 52240-1826 (319) 356-5022 • (319) 887-6213 (FAX) www.icgov.org/human6ghts January 28, 2015 City Council City of Iowa City 410 E. Washington Street Iowa City, IA 52240-1826 Dear City Council, On behalf of the Human Rights Commission, I would like to acknowledge our strong support for your recent discussions on affordable housing. It is essential that we as a City continue to discuss and support such initiatives that create a more equitable and inclusive community. Please let me know if the Human Rights Commission can be of any assistance in future Council endeavors in this area. Sincerely, Adaol& Chair, Human Rights Commission JDC/sab COPY February 03, 2015 Iowa City Human Rights Commission 410 E. Washington St. Iowa City, IA 52240-1826 Dear Iowa City Human Rights Commission Thank you for your $250.00 sponsorship of the Emma Goldman Clinic Choice Event. The success of this annual event is credited largely to you. Your name and financial support allows us to apply 100% entrance fees for the event to the deProsse Access Fund and keeps the event tax-deductible for attendees. The money raised for the dePmsse Access Fund subsidize services for low income and under insured women and men accessing health care services at the clinic. By participating as a sponsor, your business or organization's name will be recognized in Emma's advertising for the event, Choice List email, and at the event. Th s advertising reaches approximately 2000 community members. We appreciate your support. Sincerely, J fer Price Director, Administrative Services Stefanie Bowers From: Black Voices Project <icbladmices@gmail.00m> Sent: Friday, February 06, 2015 11:33 AM To: Black Voices Project Subject: Black History Month Celebration Concert Greetings, I would like to formally invite you to our "Unity" concert in celebration of Black History Month hosted by New Creations International Church. The theme of the worship concert is "Lift Every Voice and Sing." When: February 22nd at 3pm Where: New Creations International Church (2929 Court St. Iowa City, Iowa 52245 Phone. 319 333-5644) "And if I be lifted up from the Earth, I shall draw all men unto Me" (Jn. 12:32). Sincerely, Carolyn Porter Administrator Director 319 338-2877 carolvn(a.ncichurch.com The Iowa City -Cedar Rapids .Atuumnae. Chapters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. & Xa-ppa .Alpha Psi ,Fraternity, Inc. Invite you to Sunday, February 22 2-a PM Northwest Jr. High Library 1507 8th Street Coralville. L4 As we celebrate Black History Month we invite you to participate in our Read -In. Please come anal share a reading from your favorite book or poem. All ages are welcome. For more information contact Tyna Price @ tpriceia@ad com Or Khirin Carter @ khirin-carter@uiowa. edn Delta Sigma. Theta and Kappa Alpha Psi arc nonprgjit pabHc servke organizations Programs and happenings in the city honoring Black History Month 2015 Through a collective effort to engage the community in celebrating Black History Month all activities are free, accessible and open to the public. Wednesday February 11t' Youth Art Workshop Time: 4- 6pm Artists will explore their creativity while celebrating Black History Month through art expression in various mediums -painting, drawing, poetry, writing, act. Artist will be invited to present and/or display their artwork at the Community Soul Food Dinner at Iowa City High School Friday, February 20m. Both events are free and open to the public. United Action for Youth Teen Center located at: 410 Iowa Avenue .Iowa City, IA 52240 Wednesday February 18th Black History Trivia Night Time: 6pm-8pm Test your knowledge of Black History, Life and Culture Pheasant Ridge Neighborhood Center located at: 2651 Roberts Road, Iowa City IA 52246 Thursday February 19th Women Speak: Embracing the Black Women Time: 6-8pm at The Dream Center 611 Southgate Ave, Iowa City, IA Discussion surrounding the images of black woman, experiences living in Iowa City and how we can be more uplifting and supportive in our community. For more information contact: Morgan Murray at Morgan.murrav0116Awmail.com Friday February 20th Soul Food Dinner 6-8 pm Enjoy a free meal and connect with others from the community City High School located at: 1900 Morningside Drive, Iowa City, IA 52245 Contact RaQuishia Harrington @ raauishia-hanillgton(a),ncic.org Sunday February 22d Unity Concert "Lift Every Voice and Sing" Time: 3pm to 5pm New Creations Church located at: 2929 East Court Street, Iowa City IA Phone. 319 333-5644 February 24th & 25d' Dr. Eddie Moore Jr. Dinner and youth conference For more information contact Royceann Porter at royiceannporteraa rasn.com hW://www.eddiemooreir.com/ Thursday February 26th Men Talk Time: 6pm — 8pm Discussion surrounding the lives of Black Men in America. Open to all men. New Creations Church located at: 2929 East Court Street, Iowa City IA For more information contact Henri Harper henri.harper050)lzmail.com Saturday February 28th 9am to l lam Freedom Breakfast Location: TBD A free breakfast reflecting on what it means to be Black/African American today and the importance of celebrating Black/ African American History. Special recognition to these sponsors, Community groups and Organizations that helped with planning of events. �te+OOoC, m z rn ylrs��p_�- � i>1EAM N5OP1 UENTER N (�'� i v_-�I■ C_b C The Human Rights Commission of Iowa City Fp Mav m FqMIted situ of Iowa E • - " Aaon > Februar 12 5:eau IOWA &tea' tr outhM Y MMu •American/BL:...:_ 8GN0p1 DIS 1 rostFree Where: Afro -Amen 0onsor: Auo-American Cultural Center w..s'M.ms.n..a• This event is open to all. Facilitators will guide this discussion as people share what it means to be African American/Black. Thursday, February 12, 1OPM — Step Afrika Cost: Free Where: IMU Main Lounge Sponsor: Campus Activities Board Step Afrika is a step group committed to furthering the tradition of stepping, ranking as one of the top ten African American dance companies in the U.S. Dances they will perform include the South African Gumboot Dance, South African Zulu Dance, and many high-energy collegiate step traditions. Sunday, February 15, 6:30-9PM —Soul Food Sunday Where: Afro-American Cultural Center Sponsor: Afro-American Cultural Center Cost: Free Join us for dinner and a movie discussing Black History Tuesday -Thursday, February 17-19, 12-5PM — Boxes & Walls Cost: Free Where: 1MU 2nd floor ballroom Sponsor: Herky CARES, Residence Education, UH&D University Housing & Dining's office of Residence Education will present "Boxes and Walls," an interactive, emotional and educational tour staged in the IMU 2nd floor ballroom The multi -media exhibit is designed to raise awareness about diversity and give participants an up -close and personal experience of everyday stereotypes and discrimination. Tuesday, February 24, 12:30PM-2PM — Black Hawkeyes: The History of Black Students at the University of Iowa Cost: Free Where: IMU Penn State Room Sponsor: BGAPS Wednesday, February 25, 7:30PM — Ta-Nehisi Coates Lecture Cost: Free Where: Englert Theatre Sponsor: VPSL, CDO, Office of the Provost, Office of the President Ta-Nehisi Coates is a national correspondent at The Atlantic, author of the memoir The Beautiful Struggle and frequent commentator on race in America. Monday, March 2, 7PM — Harlem Renaissance In The Belly Of A Killer Whale Cost: Free Where: Iowa City Public Library - Meeting Room A Sponsor: CDE & NAACP Renaissance in the Belly of a Killer Whale uniquely tells the story of three young women's love affair with Harlem from youth to young adulthood through a montage of spoken word poetry, theater, dance, and song. It explores the conflicts in coming to terms with a gentrified Harlem _ Moni9omary County :BLa�CIC. �t1•IS:T��iY � Ml<+511�'Z`Yi C7�EmES=Z'IOl�i '201,6! Ct/s ��rlp�NE!^SEiiKK Moiarh! Jan. SOLFf -Friday ra,:rm=d ar wer rvoon a<.r.i: - - Fab. 6ih - Fr�fday Fab_ 11tLa - waana�day _ veno - si �a.�••.rr',r^^ Feb. 13rA -Friday 1z: AwFn R2-la1AI iar�a v^•�� ry^col .. cemrrir+ rw neo.•. Fab. 20L1f ^ Friday ca_S;mNi �a�--oonmiri `r Cen<act peesons: hroa Hutson - 494-674-6562 - •M1u�son®mor+tropa.org e Oa�nica 5�¢pM1�ns - 610-279-36'l9 - ds�epM1a2®mor:Lcopa.org A Ce�fury of 8/sok- L/fa H/slory ""cf 210111®.0'11101 A111CA1-Ag11CA1111111111Nif BLACK HISTORY MONTH MM11111UY=�' A11MMAi1N! '.�.+Iuw.wwJ'r�. lrllMFlriw'Ii Mrii� a.\J..! a+.Y.Y ry\\k .nrY�rrMiWw\ 1.waa+.. r...ow<.r M.n . a+wti.arrnr ►41L�1lllew r�\NstVNI * vala..r L P ltmu f a•� WN,i �r 1 i114MiMli0i1111 111AMYIY1/1M`i •«�rw �r 1y\aw Mi/vie;«.RM ►41L�1lllew r�\NstVNI * vala..r L P ltmu f seeking nominations M May 1�3 2015 n g r"1 T h e o t ..;ton 5f` for more information or a nomination form please visit wwwJcgov,orcj/hum:ar)rights or call 319-356-5022 106F'ons due fridag, opril 24 bg 4:30 f IE I! I 41 C I n ol [ owl, C 1-1 Y SEEKING NOMINATIONS outh l award THE YOUTH ALLY AWARD RECOGNIZES AN ADULT, WHO HAS INSPIRED LOCAL YOUTH TO BECOME INVOLVED IN HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVITIES AND INITIATIVES EITHER LOCALLY OR ABROAD. THE YOUTH ALLY AWARD IS AN AWARD WHERE YOUTH IN THE COMMUNITY NOMINATE AN ADULT FOR SPECIAL RECOGNITION. THE AWARD RECOGNIZES AN ADULT WHO THROUGH THEIR WORK AND TRUST IN AREA YOUTH HAVE EMPOWERED YOUTH IN THE IOWA CITY AREA. For more iiifoi enation or a nomination f o i �n visit www.icgov.orglhumanrights or rali 314-356-5022 Nominations wi11 beoccepfed through 4:30 onFrtdoy, App -i124ti Award will be presented Wednesday, May 13. 2015 at the Englerttheatre, 221 E. Washington Street. Iowa City. IA 57-240 1 r IE C1TrCIE 101%A CCFr