Present : David Curley, Rick Steele, Rupert Ayton, Murray Bennet, Claire Lending, Mike Betz, Mel Hoover, Naomi Gary (taking minutes)
1. Clyde Ford Debrief
Mel and Rupert 5/4 conversation with Clyde
He was a UU in New York. He remembers BUF hosting the NAACP Bellingham Chapter back in 1992 (we could have a 30th anniversary event!) He suggested ways to create a more inclusive community including “mindful meetings”, building authentic relationships, etc. He prefers opening to BIPOC not just BLM conversations. He said he looks forward to further conversations with BUF. Tonight we discussed having a Book Reading event including his last two books “Think Black” and “Of Blood and Sweat”.
2. Brave Space Practice Adoption Discussion for our next Program Mtg June 20th!
Read these two articles to understand what a ‘Brave Space’ is and how we may use it for our 3rd Monday speaker sessions:
https://www.citybureau.org/notebook/2019/12/19/safe-spaces-brave-spaces-and-why-we-gon-be-alright
https://artscorps.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Brave-Space-Agreeements.pdf
3. Anti-Racism Reflection Minutes
David and Rupert debriefed team on 5/6 meeting with Rev. Paul. He’d like the AR to match the service if possible. Add more SEJC speakers. Keep it to 3 min. MAX!!
These dates offered by Rev. Paul:
5/22 Reflection on George Floyd and BLM Memorial on 5/25
with Naomi, Rupert and David
5/29 Pam Graham on her Personal Journey with racism
6/5 Mike Betz and Deb Cruz
service is flower communion; suggested environmental subject
6/12 TBD; service includes WA State Poet Laureate Rena Priest
4. Program Meeting Speakers
5/16 Ed Bereal (local activist artist) and partner Barbara Sternberger $100 honorarium approved by SEJC (Rupert to get check from BUF Admin)
Discussion topics are: 1) experience with moving to Bellingham in 1990s, 2) reflect on James Baldwin’s “the purpose of art is to lay bare the questions which have been hidden by the answers” and 3) the Community Co-op mural project
Potential Speakers for 7/18, 8/15, 9/19, 10/17, 11/21, 12/19
Clyde Ford (Author)
Shu-Ling Zhao (Chuckanut Health Foundation) Naomi waiting to hear back.
Jason McGill (at NWYS)
TeeJay Morris (NWYS, Juneteenth Coordinator, Bellingham Unity Committee)
Demani Johnson (retired WWU professor)
Whatcom Human Rights Taskforce
Flo Simon (Interim COB Police Chief)
Debra Lekanoff (WA State Rep)
Sislena Ledbetter (WWU ED for Counseling, Health and Wellness)
WWU Black Student Union representative
5. Reading Group Topics
Suggested that we avoid books in favor of videos, podcasts and articles
5/23 Watch the Bellingham History Walking Tour video and discuss
6. Black Community Center at BUF
a. Paul is in favor of making the space available gratis
7. Other Ongoing Topics
a. Interface with SEJC and Beloved Community
i. Naomi is writing the SEJC Quarterly Reports and attending meetings
b. Naomi posting regularly on BUF BLM Facebook page
c. Polling the BLM mailing list for suggestions
d. Assembling and organizing anti-racism educational content
e. Linking with other BLM groups in Whatcom or forming a BLM chapter and creating a network map of all BIPOC groups
f. Maintaining a list of possible personal actions such as voting rights and school curriculum
i. Claire to help organize a UU the Vote event at BUF
ii. David to develop Micro Aggression response mini trainings
g. Maintaining a list of Black-owned businesses in Whatcom County
i. Pam saw a list at last year’s Juneteenth Celebration
ii. Claire found an article in the Bellingham Herald
iii. Rupert has an old list. Rupert has connected with Brandywine, Calypso, and Guud Bowls and there is possible interest in a round table discussion
h. Possible community projects—we have noted that Bellingham lacks a documented Black history and plaques memorializing locations of notable events
i. Rupert found resources at the library and at the local Cemetery
8. Social Media
a. Rupert to develop our Blog (especially as a resource of our programs and books)
b. Mike to help with RSS feed and subscription button
c. Rupert to expand our Breeze Mailing List
9. Community Actions
5/22 All Aboard the CBC Accountability process live at BUF!
5/25 BLM Memorial Event at Fouts Park 5-6:30pm
6/4 Roaring 20’s themed Annual Auction Fundraiser for BUF
Next Business Planning Meeting on zoom: June 13, 2022
Respectfully submitted
Naomi Gary, Co-Facilitator
