Alameda County Reparations Commission Meeting – November 18, 2025

Note: The raw transcript identifies the meeting as November 12, 2025, but the instruction states the meeting took place on November 18, 2025. This summary uses the date provided in the instruction.

The Alameda County Reparations Commission (ACRC) met on November 18, 2025, with a quorum present. Commissioners in attendance: Barry, Dones, Gardner, Gore, Hersken, Knowles, McClendon, Sass, Small. Excused: Brazil, Berlison, Triplett, Varla. The meeting was called to order, and public comments were none.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the October 8, 2025, commission meeting were approved. Commissioner Gardner abstained; all other voting commissioners voted in favor.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public spoke during the public comment period.

Discussion Items

• Project Management Update (ECC): Letitia from ECC presented a handout detailing subcommittee tasks and milestones from September to November. Accomplishments included the launch of LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram pages; a customized website with built-in RSVP; paid ads promoting the November 15 listening session; and initial survey collection (30–40 responses, aiming for 400). Subcommittee chairs reported on progress: Administration & Budget organized vendor flow and invoices; Data, Analysis & Reporting (DAR) began analyzing in‑person surveys and planned a new general‑public survey focused on wealth dissolution.
• November 15 Listening Session Logistics: The session, hosted at Taylor Memorial Church in partnership with the Berkeley Bay Area chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, faced logistical challenges. Food could not be served in the sanctuary; the fellowship hall was occupied by the Delta meeting until about 12:30–12:45 PM. Commissioners debated whether to serve food before or after the program. A straw poll (raised hands) showed six commissioners in favor of serving after the program (at 3 PM) and two in favor of before. The commission also discussed childcare availability, vendor coordination gaps, and registration table setup. It was confirmed that the caterer could access the fellowship hall at 12:45 PM, and the Delta chapter president agreed to support the after‑event serving plan.
• Auxiliary & Supplemental Events: A community partnership form was introduced to facilitate pop‑up and virtual listening sessions. Commissioners were encouraged to use the form when partnering with local organizations to increase survey reach. The possibility of virtual sessions was noted for future consideration.
• Budget Variance & Reallocation: Vice Chair McClendon presented the budget summary. The Board of Supervisors approved a total $500,000 budget. The original itemized amount was $306,430; approximately $193,570 remains to be allocated to reach the full amount. Current balance as of the meeting was $397,405.17. The Admin & Budget team recommended distributing the additional funds to enhance outreach (e.g., pop‑up tables, First Fridays, Santa Rita jail, Black Joy events) and to increase survey collection. Commissioners reviewed sample swag (t‑shirts, hats, cups, canopies) intended for giveaways. It was emphasized that the budget is fluid and commissioners may reallocate between line items without creating new ones.
• Initial Recommendations for Draft Action Plan: Commissioner Small presented a spreadsheet tool derived from the state task force’s 13‑chapter report and the five reparation principles (restitution, compensation, satisfaction, non‑repetition, etc.). Commissioners were asked to individually review the tool and submit their own prioritized domains. After discussion, the commission decided to allow subcommittees to review the tool during the week of December 1–3, 2025, and provide feedback. A motion to proceed with this timeline was made, seconded, and approved via roll call (aye: Burleson, Barry, Hursken, Knowles, Sass, McClendon, Gore, Gardner, Dones; abstain: Small).

Key Outcomes

• Minutes of October 8, 2025, were approved.
• The November 15 listening session will serve food at 3 PM after the program concludes; the run‑of‑show will be updated accordingly.
• The budget presentation confirmed $397,405.17 unspent and authorized fluid reallocation among line items.
• Commissioners will use the state task force recommendation tool individually and through subcommittees by early December; subcommittees are to meet during the week of December 1–3 to share initial feedback.
• Meeting adjourned.