Backup — original pdf

Backup

Annual Internal Review This report covers the time period of 7/1/2018 to 6/30/2019 __African American Resource Advisory Commission___ (Official Name of Board or Commission) The Board/Commission mission statement (per the City Code) is: to advise the City Council on issues related to the Quality of Life (QOL) for the City’s African American community, and recommend programs designed to alleviate any inequities that may confront African Americans in social, economic and vocational pursuits, including: health care; housing, including affordable housing, home ownership and homelessness; entertainment opportunities for professionals and students; employment; and cultural venues, including museums, theaters, art galleries and music venues. The Commission also advises the Council on matters related to the African American Cultural and Heritage Facility and the George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center. 1. Describe the board’s actions supporting their mission during the previous calendar year. Address all elements of the board’s mission statement as provided in the relevant sections of the City Code. In continued support of our mission, the 15-member African American Resource Advisory Commission, during the 2018-19 year, improved upon its commitment to involve and support the City’s African American community through open dialogue, meaningful conversations, community wide announcements and information sharing, and engaging more community leaders in our monthly meetings. Our effort this year was focused on a variety of issues and concerns, all of which we believe had an immediate impact on the African American community. Our Commission again this year expended a great deal of time and energy on the research and development of our comprehensive recommendation for the FY20 City of Austin budget. Our budget recommendation remains vitally important each year as it addresses persistent and increasing deficits for African Americans in each of our six focus areas: health care; housing, including affordable housing, home ownership and homelessness; entertainment opportunities for professionals Annual Review and Work Plan 2018-19 Page # 2 and students; employment; and cultural venues, including museums, theaters, art galleries and music venues. As a result of the honest and valuable input we received from the community, non-profit leaders and African American service providers during our monthly meetings, the community engagement meeting at the George Washington Carver Museum Cultural and Genealogy Center in March 2019, and through presentations by City of Austin Department leaders, the AARAC anticipates the availability and use of significant financial investments focused on improving the QOL of African Americans in the City of Austin FY20 budget. The AARAC also realigned our working groups to match the City of Austin Strategic Direction 2023 which focuses on Economic Opportunity and Affordability, Mobility, Safety, Health and Environment, Culture and Lifelong Learning and Government That Works for All. During the 2018-19 year the AARAC discussed many critical issues with community and City leaders that directly affect Austin and the African American community such as: Police oversight, Austin Fair Chance Hiring practices, diverse recruitment by City of Austin Human Resources, Master Plans for East Austin City Parks, Strategic Mobility initiatives, Intergovernmental relations between Texas Legislature and City of Austin, public transportation, the Adultification of Black Girls, Finances and School Closures in the Austin Independent School District, racial profiling, health (mental and physical), housing, gentrification, African American history and genealogical research and the preservation of African American culture and heritage in Austin. The AARAC in 2018-19 again raised our voice and made our position known through recommendations to City Council concerning: African American health service providers (Central Texas Allied Health Institute), Culture (Urban Music Festival), Transportation (NE Austin Minority Bus Routes), Environment (Expansion of On-site Solar Panels) and Youth Safety and Opportunity (Jump On It). In 2018-19 the AARAC was grateful to welcome and partner with new leaders in the Austin community like Austin Fire Chief Joel Baker and Archivist and Librarian kYmberly Keaton of the Austin History Center. The AARAC continued to appreciate and depend on the incredible partnership and support provided by the City of Austin Economic Development Department and the Equity Office. Throughout this time period we received updates and reports from many City departments including: City Demographer, City Manager’s Office, Parks and Recreation, Public Health, Human Resources, Neighborhood Housing, District 1 Council Member and Staff, Austin Police Department Chief and Staff, Millennium Youth Entertainment Center, Carver Museum, African American Cultural and Heritage Center and Austin Water. The AARAC also received accountability updates from organizations who have directly benefited from previous AARAC City of Austin budget recommendations. Annual Review and Work Plan 2018-19 Page # 3 2. Determine if the board’s actions throughout the year comply with the mission statement. During the 2018-19 calendar year, the AARAC’s actions were compliant with the Commission’s Mission Statement. 3. List the board’s goals and objectives for the new calendar year. The major goals and objectives of the AARAC for the new calendar year will continue to be developed, with an expectation of finalizing them during our annual retreat and community engagement meetings in January 2020. The AARAC will continue to focus on areas of inequity and inequality in the African American community, including the sufficient allocation of funds and resources that will help to reduce the number of disparities in areas of health, housing, employment and economic and educational opportunities. The AARAC will continue to collaborate with agencies, non-profits, service providers, the City of Austin, the faith community and others to increase the number of preventive measures and opportunities available to the African American community. The AARAC will remain faithful to our mission and consistently provide guidance to the City Council on ways the City of Austin can support and lead in these efforts. Submitted, Daryl Horton Chair, African American Resource Advisory Commission