STATE OF WASHINGTON
COMMISSION ON AFRICAN AMERICAN AFFAIRS
P.O. Box 40926 Olympia, Washington 98504-0926 (360) 725-5664 rjenkins@caa.wa.gov
Regular Commission Meeting Minutes
August 10, 2007
Academic Center Building, Board Room #501
Washington State University
12:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Attendees:
Commissioners and Staff: Commission Chairman Oscar Eason Jr., Anne M. Houston-Rogers, Joseph Hooks, Dr. Michael J. Tate, Deena Pierott, Commission Director Rosalund Jenkins, Assistant Pam Morris.
Members of the public: Allen Battle representing Asian, Hispanic, African American Business Association (AHANA); Reginald Eans, Community Colleges of Spokane; Kevin Graman, Spokesman Review Newspaper; Fran Hammond, NAACP Spokane; Oscar Harris, Goodwill Industries; Kitara McClure, Pony Tales Youth Service; Kristine` M. Reeves, Spokane Regional Task Force on Human Relations; Heidi Silver, WA ST Human Rights Commission; James Terrells, Professional Men of Color; Mary Verner, Spokane City Council; Trooper Tina Wallman, State Patrol; Rev. Happy Watkins, New Hope Baptist Church Spokane; Betty Whiteside; and Wallace Williams, Washington State University.
Meeting called to order, roll taken
The meeting was called to order and roll taken by Tate. Jenkins reported the names of the Commissioners who stated they would not be in attendance for today’s meeting. Earl Ford, Winona Hollins-Hauge, Rev. Dennis Payne, all excused.
Tate asked everyone to introduce themselves. After introductions were made, the floor was open for public comments.
Public comment period
Councilperson Verner said “There are many issues facing African Americans in Spokane that concern her.” She shared that what distresses her most is the high ratio of young Black men in jail, considering that the African American population in Spokane is only two percent. She expressed concern about the low numbers of Blacks who are employed by the City, the small number who own and operate their own businesses, and limited health care access in the African American community. She said these issues need to be addressed, but she has no answers. She added that a major city budget deficit resulted in major staff losses. One of the positions lost was the city affirmative action officer, who has not and probably will not be replaced in the foreseeable future.
Councilwoman Verner stated that there is no money to do any kind of outreach to the Black community, but that outreach is needed, especially for recruiting. Commissioners and other guests gave suggestions that are virtually free. She thanked everyone for sharing there thoughts for low-cost recruiting and outreach and offers to help in other ways.
Eans expressed concerns regarding local law enforcement. He stated that there have been several police shootings involving young African American men and there is no police oversight body in Spokane. He went on to say that there have been some discussions to establish a police ombudsman/monitoring office to provide oversight. He said the proposed structure for an ombudsman raises concerns for him.
Eans said that the proposed ombudsman would be appointed by the mayor to work separately from the police department to add "independence, transparency and professional review" to ultimately help build and restore public confidence. However, the police chief would still retain complete disciplinary control and the ombudsman must have a law enforcement background. He said he does not understand how this adds independence, transparency and helps build or restore public confidence.
Harris shared that he feels that there is a lack of connection among people of color in Spokane. He asked for suggestions to help bring all of the small groups in Spokane together, since most are working on the same issues. He said that these groups would be more effective if they would all band together to work on issues.
Hooks suggested using the Commission as a resource to help bring groups together.
Graman asked if the Commission was meeting in Spokane due to several police shooting involving young African American men and when was the last time the Commission met in Spokane.
Jenkins replied that Commission was here to touch base with its constituents in the area. The last time a Commission meeting was held in Spokane was two and a half years ago. She went on to say that 75 percent of African Americans in Washington State live west of the mountains and that is where the majority of the Commission meetings are conducted.
Wallman asked the group for their assistance in recruiting African Americans to the State Patrol. She shared that the Washington State Patrol (WSP) has begin recruiting candidates who are 19 ½ years of age and older for trooper cadet positions. The change of the minimum age requirement from 20 to 19 ½ years of age has allowed the Patrol to target a group of potential applicants it had not targeted in the past and who have yet to get involved with crime or drugs.
Wallman said “Working for the Patrol is an exciting and honorable career choice.”
The State Patrol currently has about 30 vacant trooper positions. Additionally, 20 percent of the Patrol's commissioned work force is eligible to retire in the next five years and to meet the current and future hiring needs, the Patrol must hire a minimum of 52 trooper cadets every nine months.
Trooper cadets can earn $37,476.00 annually, plus education incentives, shift differential and academy specialty pay. The State Patrol offers a college tuition reimbursement program that pays 100 percent of college education costs, including books.
Houston-Rogers asked “How many Blacks and women has Wallman recruited in ‘07?” Wallman reported that she recruited two Black women, five white women, ten Black men and 44 white men. Jenkins commended her effort and said she is doing a wonderful job considering that the African American population in Spokane is only two percent.
McClure asked for assistance in mentoring youth. She said mentoring is very important and she talked about the challenges. Pierott praised McClure’s efforts to help young people and suggested that McClure consider offering a “rights of passage” program especially for young men.
Commission Roundtable Discussion (Topics Ad Hoc) Subcommittee reports
Education
Tate passed out several informative publications, one it which he prepared for the Commission. This booklet recounted the achievements of notable African American in Washington State.
Tate guided the group through this publication with wonderful descriptions of the amazing people featured and a short briefing about the land grants to colleges and universities.
Houston-Rogers thanked and commended Tate on his presentation and for taking the time to put together this impressive publication.
Tate suggested that those who were not aware of Dr. Quintard Taylor site take some time to visit www.blackpast..org. He stated that it has a wealth of information. Jenkins said the Commission’s website will soon have a link to Dr. Taylor’s site and that we already worked with Taylor on material for the Black legislative history slide show for Legislative Day’ 07.
Eason asked “Where we were in regards to the parent empowerment program?” The Commission’s Black Education Roundtable has been working on this project. Jenkins reported that she has been working with Melissa Heaton of the Partnership for Learning and Adie Simmons, Director of the Office of the Education Ombudsman they are working jointly to put together a plan to pursue a planning grant from Washington Mutual, to hire a consultant to put together a pilot program.
She explained the pilot program would start with three schools with different demographics and that it is must have measurable goals.
Eason gave the group a little background information on the efforts of the Commission’s Black Education Roundtable research on parent empowerment models. He shared that it is the intent of the Commission to use this as a tool to help close the education gap.
Pierott shared with excitement that this work honors the family and she is in favor of this type of program.
Economic Development
Pierott shared that she has many things in the works and as soon as they come together she will share that information with the Commissioners and staff.
Roundtable Discussion of ACLU proposal related to Automatic Restoration of Voting Rights.
Jenkins reported that the ACLU is currently working on legislation to restore the right to vote to felons immediately upon release from prison. The ACLU is asking the Commission for its support by endorsing HB 1473, and SB 5530 legislation.
She shared that the ACLU estimates that more than 150,000 people in Washington State, are barred from voting because of felony convictions. (See http://www.aclu-wa.org/detail.cfm?id=223) The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People estimates that 13 percent of black men over the age of 18 cannot vote because they are convicted felons.
After reviewing the information, Commissioners agreed to support some type of legislation to restore the right to vote to felons, but before endorsing these bills they agreed to defer a vote until after a special meeting. Jenkins agreed to arrange with the ACLU.
Fundraisings campaign for Legislative Day ‘08
Pierott asked “When are we going to starting on our fundraising for Legislative Day ‘08?” It was agreed that the group needed to start fundraising as soon possible. After some debate it was agreed that the targeted amount would be $50,000.00 and this effort would be a team approach. The group agreed to use some of the money that is raised to hire an event planner. Tate moved that this would be a two-step process; Step0 1 to raise the money, and Step 20 to hire an event planner. This approach was seconded by Hooks and all voted in favor.
It was moved by Hooks to have an informal fundraising work session at the ACLU meeting. It was seconded by Houston-Rogers and all were in favor.
In a joking manner Hooks stated that he will write a check for the full amount required.
NAACP Lawsuit against Mortgage Lenders Alleging Racial Discrimination
Eason shared that the NAACP has filed a federal class action lawsuit against 14 of the country’s largest sub-prime mortgage lenders. He asked the Commissioners to share this information with anyone they felt should know.
Scheduling 2008 Commission meetings
In an attempt to comply with state rules, Jenkins agreed to send a draft of proposed dates, times, and locations for Commission meetings for calendar year 2008.
Hooks requested that the October 12, 2007 Commission Meeting date be removed from the meeting dates listed on the Commission website. He said he is encountering some difficulty in finding an appropriate venue for the October 12th date. Jenkins offered to help in finding an appropriate venue.
Fundraising, Sojourner Truth Monument
Eason shared that the U.S. Congress finally passed the Sojourner Truth Bill. Sojourner will be the first Black woman to have an honored place in the U.S. Capitol.
Eason is requesting that the Commission support this effort sponsored by the National Congress of Black Women, Inc.
Houston-Rogers would like to have more information.
It was moved by Hooks to revisit this matter at the ACLU meeting. It was seconded by Houston-Rogers and all were in favor.
Staff report
Jenkins gave an Agency Fiscal year-end closing report.
Year-End Budget Summary as of August 7, 2007
She stated we ended the year with positive balances in donations and Savings Pool funds.
Year-end balance of State General Funds: Zero dollars
Beginning Savings Pool balance: $9,765.00
Year-end Savings Pool balance: $3,265.00
Beginning Donated Funds balance in state coffers: $8,200.00
Year-end balance of donated funds in state coffers: $1,242.00
Beginning Donated Funds balance at NWILC: Zero dollars
Year-end balance of donated funds at NWILC: $5,000.00 (estimated)*
Information Technology Pool Funds Allotted $21,000.00
Year-end balance of IT Tech Pool Funds Zero dollars
She also said “We are currently waiting for a final receivable that will be paid to the NWILC. Once that is posted we will secure a bank statement and prepare a report to all donors and the Commission board to account for all donations deposited with the NWILC.”
Our web development funding is up $26,000.00 per year for the next two years
The Legislature provided us with a budget enhancement of $52,000.00 for the 2007-09 Biennium, solely for maintenance and enhancement of our agency website.
Jenkins said staff have already attended two briefings with Information Services staff to discuss the terms of usage for these new funds. A proposal is being prepared and will be submitted this fall. She asked Commissioners to watch their email for the draft proposal.
She shared that we intend to include various minority vendors and non-profits such as Technology Access Foundation (TAF) in the work plan.
Hooks applauded Jenkins on her leadership and stated that the Commission is sitting in an impressive position relative to the quality and sophistication of our website relative to the other small agencies.
Tate commend Jenkins on all of hard work.
Eason moved to commend staff on their hard work on the website; it was seconded by Tate and all were in favor.
Juvenile Justice Symposium
Jenkins reported that she has been working with John Clayton, Frances Carr, and Woody H Hodge all of (DSHS) on convening a Juvenile Justice Symposium, as a result of issues with the Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration. She also gave a recap of the presentation by DSHS Secretary Robin Arnold-Williams at the Black Collective Meeting in May 2007. The symposium is scheduled for Sept. 19th. The site has not been confirmed. Jenkins told Commissioners she will keep them informed.
Black Collective Presentation
The group agreed to attend a Black Collective meeting in Tacoma, to present the website and share information on the upcoming Juvenile Justice Symposium. Jenkins will schedule the presentation and report to the Commissioners on date, time and location.
Jena 6 Matter
Houston-Rogers asked if anyone was keeping up with the Jena 6 matter. Eason reported that the NAACP was involved.
Staff Announcements
Audit update, Jenkins reported that Commissioner Hooks has agreed to attend the Auditor’s Meeting scheduled August 14th in Olympia.
Jenkins reported that she has received a few emails regarding an exhibit at the Woodland Park Zoo. The exhibit in question is a display of Maasai people, crafts, and culture. The issue being raised is what impact this exhibit has on our youth and on the image of our city.
Jenkins asked if anyone has seen the exhibit. No one in the group had seen the exhibit. Hooks agreed to visit the 'Maasai Journey' and report back to the group.
Jenkins reported that the Breakfast Group, in partnership with Northwest Black Pioneers and Roots group is sponsoring the ROOTS Family Picnic. The event is scheduled for Sunday, September 2, 2007 at Gasworks Parks, from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. She shared she went last year and delivered the greeting from the Governor’s Office and she asked for a volunteer to attend this year’s picnic to represent the Commission.
Jenkins reported on July 25, 2007 press release from Seattle Storm hailing Franklin as a ‘woman of inspiration’.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned by Eason at 4:30 p.m.