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08072019 MBK MinsMY BROTHER'S KEEPER COMMITTEE MEETING Sanford City Hall, Railroad Depot Conference Room August 7, 2019 at 4:OOPM ( 300 North Park Avenue, Sanford, FL 32771 Should you require an alternate method to access the information on this agenda or any attachments thereto, please contact ADA@sanfordfl.gov or 407-688-5006 to request information be provided to you in an alternative format. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons with disabilities needing assistance to participate in any of these proceedings should contact the City Clerk at 407.688.5010 at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting. Advice to the public: if a person decides to appeal a decision made with respect to any matter considered at the above meeting or hearing, he or she may need a verbatim record of the proceedings, including the testimony and evidence, which record is not provided by the City of Sanford. (FS 286.0105) MEETING MINUTES I. CALL TO ORDER/ WELCOME Meeting called to order by Chairman Eddie Cochran at 4:03 PM. II. Introductions Present: Eddie Cochran — Chainnan Charles Wright — Co Chairman Thelisha Thomas — Committee Member Lowman Oliver — Committee Member Sylvester Wynn — Committee Member Rose Washington — Committee Member Fritz Voltaire — Committee Member Commissioner Kerry Wiggins Sr. Absent: Staff: Andrew Thomas Sheena Britton Britt Henderson III. Approve June 17, 2019 Meeting Minutes Pastor Oliver moved to approve the June 17, 2019 meeting minutes. Seconded by Ms. Thomas and carried unanimously by vote of the committees follows Eddie Cochran Aye Charles Wright Aye Thelisha Thomas Aye Lowman Oliver Aye Sylvester Wynn Aye Rose Washington Aye Fritz Voltaire Aye IV. Old Business a. Review Action Plan Mr. Cochran opened discussion regarding the action plan. He suggested to keep the action plan that was submitted by the Sanford Future Claimers. Mr. Wright referred to the plan as the 50 foot level vision of the program and how the committee is going to incorporate the overall goals of MBK, including identifying what partners that can be used to help support the vision of the plan. He added that the top two priorities for him are an increase in mentorship and a decrease in violence. Pastor Oliver addressed concerns regarding the intake counseling process. The committee discussed pulling data, minorities, statistical breakdown, criminal acts and ratios. Ms. Washington cautioned the committee to prioritize and set up a true foundation. Mr. Wright suggested, at the next meeting, each person on the committee should provide information on the organizations each member is affiliated with, as well as what skill sets the individuals may provide that may be an asset to the committee. The chairman discussed using Microsoft Teams as a form of communication on future projects and documentation. He stated he would try to upload the MBK action plan for the committee to review and suggest what data and comments should be added. b. Update on Criminal Justice/Juvenile Justice Report Mr. Cochran provided the Crime Analysis statistical SPD arrest report. The information for the request was obtained by pulling data regarding Offense Reports resulting in an arrest that occurred in the City of Sanford from 01/01/2014- 07/31/2019. The Board discussed the data provided. The data only reflected Black and Hispanic male arrestees who were between the ages of 5-25 and reported crimes that identify an incident location. c. Update on Educational Statistics Dropout, in building suspensions, out of school suspensions, arrest on school grounds and overall disciplinary actions Mr. Wynn provided the committee with the data regarding school suspensions of all Seminole County schools. The data was divided by grade level, gender, race, ethnicity and infractions. Mr. Wynn discussed alternative measures to discipline instead of out of school suspensions. V. New Business a. MBK Town Hall Meeting discussion Mr. Cochran reviewed the notes from the Town Hall Meeting facilitated by Jeffrey Kennedy. Mr. Cochran stated three points of interest from the meeting were; 1) We have to care about the young men of color and not be afraid of them. 2) No excuses for failure. 3) You have to think about developing the whole child. b. Young Men of Excellence (YME) discussion Commissioner Kerry Wiggins gave a brief overview of how the Young Men of Excellence was established. He informed the committee that the group was started at Seminole High School with approximately 30 kids as an after school program from the vision of Mr. Blackshear. Now, there are three classes at Seminole High School. All the schools in Seminole County with the exception of Hagerty and Oviedo High School have the YME program. The initiative seeks to enhance the social, emotional and academic outcomes for African American males in Seminole County Public Schools. He informed the Board that the YME program was not built for the disadvantaged or poor grade male. The program has been so successful because there is a mix of young people who have challenges and the student that excels in school. There are students that have both parents in the home and there are students that have single parents' homes. The objective is to lift each other up. Mr. Wynn added that young men go on field trips, they visit colleges and universities. The goal is to expand the program. This year 2019 was the fourth graduating class of YME. Mr. Wynn discussed the selection process. He also stated that there is a Young Women of Excellence. c. List of potential projects for future consideration - Obama Foundation Fellowships - Summer employment program for the ages of 19-24 Mr. Thomas urged the committee to spread the word about the positive things that are happening in our community, like the success of the Young Men of Excellence, it no longer needs to be the best kept secret. Mr. Thomas opened discussion regarding the next steps; once the students graduate what kind of succession plans are set in place, fellowships, mental stability and positive reinforcement. VI. Committee round table discussion Each committee member had the opportunity to address concerns and or inform the board of any suggests, programs and activities. Victor Towns graduate of Seminole High School and former president of the Young Men of Excellence told the committee about his experiences with YME and the advantages of being a part of the group. The Board requested to have a link to the information to the City of Sanford's MBK page. VII. Public Comment The City of Sanford Communications Officer, Lisa Holder, commented that she wants to promote what is happening with the MBK via podcasts, social media outlets etc. VIII. Meeting adjourned. Meeting recorded by Sheena Britton. MBK Chairman