Minutes of March 13, 2023 BUF BLM Business Meeting

 BUF Black Lives Matter Ministry Action Team

Minutes March 13th, 2023, 7pm

 

In Attendance: Pam Graham, Naomi Gary, David Curley, Rupert Ayton, Murray Bennett, Claire Lending, Michael Betz, Stephanie Sarver, Mel Hoover, and Rose Edington

 

1.     Land acknowledgement provided by Pam Graham

 

2.     Upcoming speakers

a.     Mar 20 Donnell Tanksley

 

3.     Speaker Honorariums

a.     in process with Kathy Wahto

 

4.     I am the Hope and the Dream Juneteenth video part 2

a.     Remy Styrk is raising funds; video will feature Isaac, Jason, and Sislena; has extra footage from first video

b.     Can BUF plan a fundraiser event in May? Maybe combine with George Floyd Memorial on 5/25??

 

5.     March 11^th Black History Month Celebration Debrief

Naomi to start a Thank You card for Sean!!

 

6.     Planning March 18 retreat

New concept…not a retreat but a 10am-12noon planning session at BUF

Work on Protocols (Naomi and Pam)

Use the Johari Window framework to understand conscious and unconscious bias that can help increase self-awareness and our understanding of others (Pam to facilitate)

 

7.     Okanagan Charter

a.     Could we make this the focus of the Mar 27 program meeting?

 

8.     Follow up on possible guest speakers starting in April:

a.     Jeremy Wang, counselor at WWU—Rupert in conversation

b.     Willie Broxton Jr., relationship manager at WECU—Rupert in conversation

c.      DeeDee Davis, homelessness advocate—who wants to contact?

d.     Sislena Ledbetter (WWU ED for Counseling, Health, and Wellness)—Rupert in conversation

e.      Katryne Potts WWU police chief—who wants to contact?

f.      Chuck Parsons, Community Co-op GM—has not yet responded to Rupert

g.     Keith Montoya—Whatcom CARE—does David want to follow up?

h.     Dr James Ray WWU music—has not responded to Rupert

i.       Dr Richard Hodges WWU music—has not responded to Rupert

j.      Deanna Lane D/E/I consultant—discussed with Rupert but has some scheduling conflicts

k.     TeeJay Morris (NWYS, Juneteenth Coordinator, Bellingham Unity Committee)—no invitation yet

l.       Flo Simon (former Interim COB Police Chief)—keep on list?

m.   Debra Lekanoff (WA State Rep)—who wants to contact?

n.     WWU Black Student Union representative—Naomi to contact

o.     Gabe Epperson of Whatcom Land Trust—who will contact?

p.     Daman Wandke—consultant, disability expert—who wants to contact?

q.     Clyde Ford (Author)—spoke with Mel and Rupert but seemed reluctant and suggested multicultural roundtable discussion

Program Guest Speaker February 27th, 2023

On February 27th, thirteen members of the BUF BLM Action Ministry team welcomed Jason McGill as our guest speaker.  Jason is the ED of Northwest Youth Services, and hails from West Virginia.  As part of our Widening the Circle effort, Blaine police chief Donnell Tanksley and Restorative Community Coalition president Joy Gilfilen also joined the Zoom call.

Jason shared programming at NWYS, including the acquisition of a house in Ridgemont that will accommodate young adults.  Last year, over 400 homeless young people were first time participants in NWYS programs.  In all, Jason estimates there are over 1200 homeless youth in the area.

The conversation turned to the question of how the current justice system is not serving society.  Jason related the story of Portugal, which has invested considerably in preventative and rehabilitative services that reduce crime and keep individuals out of jail.  In comparison, the challenge of local reactionary policing was discussed, along with the incarceration system and continued argument over building a new jail for Whatcom County rather than investing in prevention.

Jason described his concept of Beloved Community following the teaching of Dr. King.  He also discussed allyship and promotes Dr. Cornell West’s concept of a Love Warrior.

Program Guest Speaker February 20th, 2023

On February 20th, the BUF BLM Action Ministry team welcomed Matthew Durkee as our guest speaker.  Matt identifies as transnational/transracial as he was born in Korea and adopted by a white family in Bellingham at the age of 5.  Matt is veteran and currently serves as the Director of the Veterans Resource Center at Edmonds College.

Matt shared his experience growing up and going to high school in Bellingham where he regularly faced racism, oppression and violence.  Matt was clear that Bellingham is diverse, but that only insiders see that diversity.  He also pointed out that those new to Bellingham, and those who are not insiders to Bellingham’s diversity, don’t necessarily understand the needs of the oppressed, and need to listen and not act like “saviors.”

Matt refers to the U.S. as a “salad bowl” as each individual’s uniqueness contributes to the overall “flavor” of the nation.  Matt shared that his military experience and exposure to strong leadership instilled in him a sense of creating “hand-ups” rather than “hand-outs” for the less-fortunate.  He believes in a national service model and he is a proponent of “peace officers” rather than police officers. Matt also has a strong interest in truth in education.