Minutes of BUF BLM Business Meeting December 12, 2022

 BUF Black Lives Matter Ministry Action Team

Minutes for December 12, 2022, 7pm

In Attendance: Rupert Ayton, Stephanie Sarver, Pam Graham, Mike Betz, David Curley, and Naomi Gary (providing the minutes)

1. Land acknowledgement 

https://www.lhaqtemish.org/xwlemi-resilience/lhaqtemish-land-acknowledgement

2. David discussed the follow up to James Addington Tragic Investment book group. He worked with Genia Allen-Schmidt. Ideas include…. create a historical record of BUF’s ARAOMC work. Reparations including BUF paying rent to the Lummi Nation. David also brought up news that the BUF Climate Action Team is reforming. Todd Jones to get the word out by January 2023. 

3. Mel to discuss RCC collaboration in January

4. Planning a retreat in March 2023…Rupert to send out an email re interest.

5. Donnell “TANK” Tanksley campaign for Sheriff…let’s invite him to speak to BLM. Learn more.

6. Possible guest speakers:

Rupert to contact theese potential guest speakers...

Dr James Ray WWU music

Dr Richard Hodges WWU music

Deanna Lane D/E/I consultant

Naomi to contact these potential guest speakers…

Damani Johnson (retired WWU professor)

WWU Black Student Union representative

Brian Womack

Additional ideas for guest speakers...

Clyde Ford (Author)

Jason McGill (at NWYS)

TeeJay Morris (NWYS, Juneteenth Coordinator, Bellingham Unity Committee)

Flo Simon (former Interim COB Police Chief)

Debra Lekanoff (WA State Rep)

Sislena Ledbetter (WWU ED for Counseling, Health, and Wellness)

Gabe Everson

Daman Wandke

7. Rupert to send out an email to let people know how to participate in MLK Activities

Identified MLK day 1/16/23 activities such as…

 WCC organized by Whatcom Human Resource Task Force (regular annual event)

TeeJay’s Masquerade Ball at the Yacht Club on Saturday 1/14/23

8. Planned for May 25th Floyd Memorial Bench

Naomi to contact Kristina Michele Martens for ideas and suggestions…maybe Opera in the Park? With Dr. Ray and Dr. Hodges from WWU Music??

9. Identify Juneteenth activities…need to work on this

10. Racial Equity Commission Update…reach out to Elie/David to f/u

11. Coordination with CBC on AR/AO/MC speakers and schedule

12. Community Actions and Projects…ongoing!

a. 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

13. Pam Graham mentioned that other faiths are active in our community, and we should make sure we are in coordination with them. She mentioned Baha’i and Sikh. Naomi has been in contact with Marilyn Freal at the Presbyterian Church.