REGULAR MEETING OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2nd, 2025, AT 5:30 PM AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL AND HERITAGE FACILITY 912 E 11th ST. AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the African American Resource Advisory Commission may be participating by videoconference. Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, contact Nekaybaw Watson, 512-974-2562, nekaybaw.watson@austintexas.gov. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Daryl Horton, Chair Alexandria Anderson Sophia Dozier Kyron Hayes Nelson Linder Justin Parsons Mueni Rudd Emmy Weisberg AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Dr. Chiquita Eugene, Vice Chair Roger Davis Joi Harden Antony Jackson Kenneth Loyde Antonio Ross Greg Smith The first ten speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the African American Resource Advisory Commission regular meeting on November 5, 2025. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing regarding an introduction and an overview of Austin Equity and Inclusion by Dr. Lindsey Wilson, Director, Austin Equity and Inclusion, Shafina Khaki, Human Rights Officer, Austin Equity and Inclusion, and Emi Johnson, Policy Compliance Consultant/Acting Civil Rights Officer, Austin Equity and Inclusion. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. 3. 4. Presentation from Ebonie Trice, Director, Mission Accomplished regarding current priorities and community engagement practices of Mission Accomplished. Presentation from Dr. Colette Pierce Burnette, Chief Executive Officer, Waterloo Greenway Conservancy, and Martin Nembhard, Vice President of Park Operations, Waterloo Greenway Conservancy regarding current priorities and community engagement practices of Waterloo Greenway Conservancy. Presentation by Gary Aaron, Senior Business Process Consultant, Austin Equity and Inclusion regarding Mapping Opportunity and identifying disparities across different Austin communities. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. 6. Approve the creation of a Budget Working Group to create recommendations to Council about priorities for budget cycle FY26-27. Approve the change in meeting location for the 2026 Annual Meetings. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. For assistance, please contact the Liaison or TTY users’ …
African American Resource Advisory Commission November 5, 2025 African American Resource Advisory Commission Regular Meeting Minutes Wednesday, November 5, 2025 The African American Resource Advisory Commission convened in a regular meeting on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at the African American Cultural and Heritage Facility at 912 E 11th St, in Austin, Texas. Chair Horton called the African American Resource Advisory Commission meeting to order at 5:41 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Daryl Horton, Chair Nelson Linder Justin Parsons Greg Smith Emmy Weisberg Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Alexandria Anderson Joi Harden Kyron Hayes Kenneth Loyde Commissioners Absent: Dr. Chiquita Eugene, Vice Chair Roger Davis Sophia Dozier Antony Jackson Antonio Ross Mueni Rudd PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1 African American Resource Advisory Commission November 5, 2025 1. Approve the minutes of the African American Resource Advisory Commission Regular Meeting on October 7, 2025. The motion to approve the minutes of the African American Resource Advisory Commission Regular Meeting on October 7, 2025, was approved on Commissioner Smith’s motion, Commissioner Linder’s second on an 8-0 vote. Commissioner Weisberg was off the dais. Vice Chair Eugene and Commissioners Davis, Dozier, Jackson, Ross, and Rudd were absent. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing from Kim Wright, General Manager, The Millennium regarding the price to rent the Millennium, demographics of the community members that patron the center, and questions and concerns surrounding the amenities. Briefing was provided by Kim Wright, General Manager, The Millennium. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. 4. Presentation from Iliana Medrano, Director, Community Powered ATX regarding current priorities and community engagement practices of Community Powered ATX. Presentation was provided by Iliana Medrano, Kecia Prince, and Halima Foster, Community Powered ATX. Presentation from Sherrick West, Thunderbird District Executive, Boy Scouts of America and Amara Davis, Armadillo District Executive, Boy Scouts of America regarding scouting priorities and how the scouts engage with African American Youth. Presentation was provided by Sherrick West, Thunderbird District Executive, Boy Scouts of America and Amara Davis, Armadillo District Executive, Boy Scouts of America. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Discussion regarding a new meeting space. Discussion to invite council members to come to the meeting. The motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:16 p.m. was approved on Commissioner Smith’s motion, Commissioner Parsons’ second with no objection. 2
Introduction & Overview: Austin Equity and Inclusion African American Resource Advisory Commission Briefing Tuesday, December 2, 2025, 5:30 PM Dr. Lindsey Wilson, Director Shafina Khaki, Human Rights Officer Emi Johnson, Acting Civil Rights Officer Overview Agenda Introductions ❑ Who We Are Office Overview ❑ Vision & Mission ❑ Current Structure ❑ Core Services Current Projects Connecting with Our Office Mission and Structure Our Mission The mission of the Austin Equity and Inclusion is increase access, to transform systems to remove barriers to opportunity, address discrimination, and foster a community where all identities are respected. including AEI ensures full compliance with applicable state local city and federal mandates, ordinances, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. AEI also oversees racial equity work, immigrant affairs, equal fair employment, fair chance hiring, ADA-title II, title VI, public accommodation, CROWN Act and tenants’ right to organize. veterans, housing, Austin Equity and Inclusion (AEI) Shafina Khaki Human Rights Officer Dr. Lindsey Wilson Director Emi Johnson Acting Civil Rights Officer Core Services Promote Human Rights: Provide advocacy and direct services that help residents access benefits, understand their rights, and connect to resources that uphold safety, dignity, and well-being. Carry Out the City’s Strategic Goals: Increase access, remove barriers to opportunities, and create inclusive spaces where all identities feel respected, seen, and valued. Provide Anti-Discrimination Protections: Investigate discrimination complaints related to Housing, Employment, Public Accommodations, and Fair Chance Hiring. City Ordinance Enforcement: Uphold the CROWN Act, Tenant’s Rights to Organize and other Key City Ordinances. Equity: Work to reduce racial and socioeconomic disparities by collaborating with all City departments to help identify and remove barriers in services. Community Engagement and Outreach: Build collaborative community relationships to advance Equity and improve the quality of life for Austinites. Current Projects EQUITY CIVIL RIGHTS HUMAN RIGHTS • Quality of Life Studies • Mini-Grants • Equity Action Team & Equity Network Meetings • Consultation with City departments and leadership • Normalize, Organize and Operationalize... • Enforcing Civil Rights Laws Across Multiple Sectors, leveraging technology to advance rights. • Collaborates with Community Members, Businesses, and Stakeholders: • Partnering with other agencies to promote civil rights initiatives • Know Your Rights/Benefits (Immigrants, Veterans, ADA) • Advances the fundamental rights and freedoms of all Austinites • Anti-Hate/We All Belong • Community Meetings/Foster Belonging The items listed above represent key …
African American Resource Advisory Commission December 2, 2025 Dr. Colette Pierce Burnette Chief Executive Officer cpburnette@waterloogreenway.org Martin Nembhard, Vice President of Operations From HT to WGC Our Mission Waterloo Greenway Conservancy creates and maintains an extraordinary urban park system and a restored Waller Creek, in partnership with the City of Austin, for the benefit of all. The Conservancy renews the natural environment, promotes play, health and wellness, economic vitality and mobility, and engages the community through outreach, education, cultural events, and the arts. Our Vision Waterloo Greenway is an iconic and flourishing public park, comprised of walking and biking trails, playscapes, open green spaces, and a healthy creek, enlivened by Austin’s diverse and vibrant community. Founded on the bedrock of great design, the park connects people with nature and one another. It is an enduring, beloved and vital green artery that serves as a model for sustainable urban life. Commitment to Equity Waterloo Greenway, as a vibrant urban park, embraces the transformative power of public spaces to build communities and ecosystems, amplify culture, and enhance health and well-being. As the stewards behind Waterloo Greenway, we boldly commit to building equity through thoughtful design, innovative programming, and uplifting community initiatives, honoring the space’s history and forging an inclusive park for Austin’s diverse communities now and in the future. Core Values Core Values • Visionary Civic Leadership • Integrity • Social Equity • Design Excellence • Collaboration & Partnership • Responsible & Sustainable Stewardship Public-Private Partnership Waterloo Greenway Founders Melba Whatley, Melanie Barnes, and Tom Meredith Think you know what a park is? Think again. Waterloo Greenway is a park system with the power to bring the entire Austin community together. 1.5 Miles on Waller Creek 35 Acres of Green Space 3+ Miles of New Trails Symphony Square Completed 2018 Waterloo Park Completed 2021 Opening Summer 2026 Palm Park Design Development The Confluence 4th-12th St The Refuge Schematic DesignConcept DesignPhase IPhase IIPhase IIIEmma S. BarrientosMexican AmericanCultural CenterRAINEY STPalmSchoolAustinConventionCenterIH-35SABINE STRED RIVER STTRINITY STNECHES STCONGRESS AVESAN JACINTO BLVDRed River Cultural DistrictTexas CapitolThe University ofTexas at AustinCESAR CHAVEZ ST4TH ST5TH ST6TH ST7TH ST8TH ST9TH ST10TH ST11TH ST12TH ST15TH STLady Bird LakeTheConfluencePalmParkTheRefugeWaterlooParkMoodyAmphitheaterSymphonySquare Waterloo Park 90,000 Plants & 500 Trees Planted The Confluence 200,000 Plants & 1,500 Trees Planted Phase II: The Confluence - opening summer 2026 Before: Cypress Grove Original condition 2016 Vision: Cypress Grove Current: Cypress Grove October 2025 Before: The Bend Original condition 2016 …
