REGULAR CALLED MEETING OF THE COMMISSION FOR WOMEN Wednesday, October 1, 2025, 12:00 PM Austin City Hall, Boards and Commissions Room, #1101 301 West 2nd Street Austin, Texas 78701 Some members of the Commission for Women 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 or in person, call or email Christi Vitela, 512-974-2792, christi.vitela@austintexas.gov. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Becky Bullard, Chair Jocelyn Tau, Vice Chair Alexandria Anderson Vanessa Bissereth Angela Harris Diana Melendez Katrina Scheihing Rabia Shaik Fernanda Veloz Salas Shaimaa Zayan AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL 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 Commission for Women regular meeting on September 3, 2025. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing regarding an introduction and an overview of Austin Equity and Inclusion by the Commission’s new Executive Liaison Dr. Lindsey Wilson, Director, Austin Equity and Inclusion, and Shafina Khaki, Human Rights Officer, Austin Equity and Inclusion. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. Presentation by Michael Ward Jr., President and CEO, Universal Tech Movement, regarding an updated mission, digital inclusion efforts and ways in which the commission can support UTM's pathways into technology. 4. Update on an SBA Grant through the Better Business Bureau for Women’s Entrepreneurship. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. Approve the formation of a Working Group to focus on Maternal Health in the Austin area. 6. Approve a Recommendation to Council regarding the Office of Community Liaison. 7. Approve the Commission for Women 2026 Regular Meeting Schedule. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Christi Vitela at the Office of the City Clerk Department at 512-974-2792, or email christi.vitela@austintexas.gov, for additional information; …
COMMISSION FOR WOMEN MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, September 3, 2025 Commission for Women Regular Meeting Minutes Wednesday, September 3, 2025 The Commission for Women convened in a regular meeting on Wednesday, September 3rd, 2025, at City Hall, 301 W 2nd Street, Austin, TX. Chair Bullard called the Commission for Women regular meeting to order at 12:04 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Becky Bullard, Chair Alexandria Anderson Katrina Scheihing Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Vanessa Bissereth Angela Harris Rabia Shaik Jocelyn Tau Shaimaa Zayan Fernanda Veloz-Salas PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Commission for Women regular meeting on August 6, 2025. The minutes from the meeting of August 6, 2025, were approved on Commissioner Scheihing’s motion, Commissioner Veloz Salas’ second on a 7-0 vote. Vice Chair Tau and Commissioner Anderson were off the dais. Commissioner Melendez was absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Presentation regarding Divine Mama Strength by Maxine Eiland. The presentation was made by Maxine Eiland, Owner, Divine Mama Strength. 1 COMMISSION FOR WOMEN MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, September 3, 2025 3. Discussion regarding the draft Joint Inclusion Committee’s Recommendation to Council regarding the Office of Community Liaison. Discussed. WORKING GROUP UPDATES 4. Update from the Recognition Working Group regarding meetings held and discussions about changing the event to a biannual event. Withdrawn. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. Approve changes to the scope of work and membership of the Recognition Working Group. The motion to approve changing the Recognition Event from an annual to biennial, occurring every two years, event was approved on Commissioner Anderson’s motion, Commissioner Scheihing’s second, on a 9-0 vote. Commissioner Melendez was absent. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Discussion and action regarding forming a Working Group on Maternal Health Update on SBA Grant for the BBB – Women’s Entrepreneurship Discussion regarding the Texas Legislature’s Bathroom Bill and Abortion Pill Ban Discussion and action regarding the Office of Community Liaison Recommendation Chair Bullard adjourned the meeting at 12:50 p.m. without objection. 2
Introduction & Overview: Austin Equity and Inclusion Commission for Women Briefing Wednesday, October 1, 2025, 12:00 PM Dr. Lindsey Wilson, Director Shafina Khaki, Human Rights Officer Agenda Introductions • Who We Are Office Overview • Vision & Mission • Current Structure • Core Services Current Projects Connecting with Our Office 9/24/2025 2 OUR VISION Austin Equity and Inclusion helps shape a community and city government where every individual feels welcomed and has the resources and services they need to thrive. We’re dedicated to transforming systems to increase access, remove barriers to opportunity, address discrimination, and foster a community where all identities are respected. 9/24/2025 3 Austin Equity and Inclusion (AEI) AEI Dr. Lindsey Wilson, Director Civil Rights Division Equity Division Human Rights Division Enrique Serrano, Civil Rights Officer Vacant, Equity Officer Shafina Khaki, Human Rights Officer 9/24/2025 4 Introductions Shafina Khaki Human Rights Officer Dr. Lindsey Wilson Director Enrique Serrano Civil Rights Officer 5 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. 9/24/2025 The items listed above represent key examples, though the list is not exhaustive. 6 Current Projects EQUITY CIVIL RIGHTS HUMAN RIGHTS • Quality of Life Studies • Mini-Grants • Equity Action Team & Equity Network Meetings • Normalize, Organize and Operationalize... 9/24/20 25 • Enforcing Civil Rights Laws Across • Know Your Rights/Benefits Multiple Sectors, leveraging technology to advance rights. • Collaborates with Community Members, Businesses, and Stakeholders: • Partnering with other agencies to promote civil rights initiatives (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 examples, though the list is not exhaustive. 7 Ways …
Commission for Women 2026 Regular Meeting Schedule 1st Wednesday of each month at 12:00 pm 1. January 7, 2026 2. February 4, 2026 3. March 4, 2026 4. April 1, 2026 5. May 6, 2026 6. June 3, 2026 7. July 1, 2026 8. August 5, 2026 9. September 2, 2026 10. October 7, 2026 11. November 4, 2026 12. December 2, 2026
BRING UNIVERSAL TECH MOVEMNT TO A COMMUNITY NEAR YOU Transforming Tech, One Career at a Time About Us Universal Tech Movement (UTM) is a community-driven EdTech 501(c)(3) nonprofit that connects communities to the tech industry through workforce readiness, innovation, and economic advancement. Through employer, governmental, institutional, and organizational partnerships, UTM opens career pathways, supports business creation, and equips individuals to enter the tech industry, advance across it, and become engaged techies who strengthen the ecosystem. The Purpose Expanding Universal Tech Movement’s workforce readiness, innovation, and economic advancement services statewide will unlock transformative opportunities. Our efforts strengthen communities, create jobs, and fuel lasting economic growth. With our proven Universal Tech Pathways program, UTM is driving career advancement, business support, and innovation across the state. Beyond Training Barriers to opportunity are deep-rooted and complex. To fully succeed, participants need more than training — they need holistic support for stability and well-being. No single organization can do this alone. Universal Tech Movement serves as the gateway for communities to access digital equity, career opportunities, workforce readiness, innovation, and economic advancement — building a thriving tech ecosystem for all. Quality of Life Service Providers Digital Equity & Workforce Collaborators Lead Partner Universal Tech Movement Digital Equity Skills Training Job Placement Business Creation Innovation Tech Ecosystem for All Driving Innovation With Our Partners 1.Launch programs in key zip codes to build lasting and inclusive local tech ecosystems. 2.Collaborate with funders, employers, and community organizations to implement our proven model and grow the tech talent pool. 3.Expand opportunity in the tech ecosystem while addressing workforce needs and community challenges. 4.Investments change career trajectories and ensure long-term workforce readiness, innovation, and economic growth. Our Impact Participants • 1000+ served across Texas, • 49% female, 48% male, and 3% other Participant Ages • 5% under 18 • 25% ages 18-25 • 38% ages 26-35 • 30% ages 36-59 • 2% over 60 Race & Ethnicity • 55% Black • 24% Hispanic • 9% Multiracial • 9% White • 2% Asian • 1% Other Level of Income • Poverty line for a family of 5: $37,650 • 60% below poverty line • 60% earn < $13,000/year • 80% earn < $50,000/year Universal Tech Movement is headquartered in Austin, TX with participants in 111 unique zip codes across Texas. Most frequent counties are Travis, Williamson, Bell, Tarrant, Harris, & Hays. Engaged in approximately 8 major Texas metropolitan communities: Austin, Dallas, …
