Community Reparations Commission meeting, April 24

Press release from City of Asheville:

The Community Reparations Commission is empowered to make short, medium, and long-term recommendations that will make significant progress toward repairing the damage caused by public and private systemic racism. The task of the Reparations Commission is to issue a report in a timely manner for consideration by the City, County, and other participating community groups for incorporation into their respective short-term and long-term priorities and plans.

Find the meeting recording on YouTube at this link.

Community Reparations Commission Meeting – April 24, 2023

I. Call to Order, Welcome and Chair Remarks
Quorum was met.
II. Roll Call
Roll was called.
III. Action Item: Approval of Agenda and minutes
Agenda was approved.
IV. Review: March 20th Meeting Survey Data
Data was reviewed.
V. IFA Updates (15 minutes each)

A. Housing

IFA members discussed work is continuing around potential recommendations in the following areas:

-Due to displacement of Black homes and neighborhoods due to urban renewal, return all unused urban renewal land immediately.
-Explore acquisition of under-utilized and vacant land.

B. Criminal Justice

IFA members discussed work is continuing around potential recommendations in the following areas:

-Create culturally competent programs.
-Eliminate the usage of discretionary authority by SROs.
-Requiring parents to be present when custodial interviews are concluded.

C. Economic Development

IFA members discussed work is continuing around potential recommendations in the following areas:

-Small business development.
-Workforce development:
-Wage compensation.
-Economic development projects.
-Ongoing funds for Reparations.
-Accountability.
-Building generational weight.

VI. Follow Up Discussion (15 minutes)

Discussion starts at the 72:00 minute mark.

VII. Old Business

A. Comprehensive Audit – Cease Harm Impacting the African American Community

Result given at the 74:00 minute mark

VIII. New Business

A. Speaker: Tiffany Iheanacho, Buncombe County Justice Services Director
Presentation starts at the 83:20 minute mark

IV. Public Comment
No public comment this session.

X. Wrap-up
Meeting adjourned at the 154:00 minute mark.

NEXT MEETING: The next meeting of the Community Reparations Commission is scheduled for May 15, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. at Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Banquet Room:  87 Haywood Street,  Asheville, NC 28801

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