Commission on the Social Status of African American Males Monthly Meeting - July 23, 2026
Commission on the Social Status of African American Males Monthly Meeting - July 23, 2026
The monthly meeting of the Commission on the Social Status of African American Males was held on July 23, 2026, with a quorum present. The meeting covered routine business, updates on the upcoming Million Father March, a strategic planning session, police-community relations, community gun violence, a detailed youth outreach proposal, and planning for a family day event.
Consent Calendar
- The minutes from the previous meeting were adopted unanimously. Motion by Commissioner Moore, second by Commissioner Phipps. All in favor.
Discussion Items
- Million Father March (August 14, 2026): The march is scheduled for the first day all students are in session with the EVSC. Participating schools: Lincoln, Glenwood, Lodge, AIS, and Washington. SEMA will handle Lincoln. Commission assignments: Commissioner Phipps at AIS, the Chair at Glenwood, Commissioner Clayton at Lodge, and Commissioner Moore at Washington. It was noted that the Commission may provide materials such as cards encouraging PTA meetings and teacher engagement, and possibly include a survey.
- Strategic Plan Update: The first strategic planning session was held with the Human Relations Commission on July 22. The consultant will schedule a session for this commission, tentatively proposed for September 24, 2026, immediately following the regular meeting. Joint sessions with other commissions were not planned due to separate ordinances and missions.
- Police and Community Relations: The Evansville Police Department is accepting applications for the Citizens Academy. Commissioners were encouraged to participate to better understand police operations and help bridge the community-law enforcement gap. The Commission does not have an active Facebook page but content can be shared through the office.
- Community Gun Violence: Commissioner Calvert was absent. The Chair noted ongoing gun violence, particularly among ages 16–24 based on data from Officer De Young. A commissioner suggested teaching youth basic trauma response (e.g., using tourniquets) as a harm reduction measure.
- Youth Outreach – Evansville Youth Village Network: Commissioner Ruff presented a detailed proposal for a centralized resource network for youth and families. The plan includes gathering surveys from churches, schools, YMCA, Boys & Girls Clubs, and parents; creating a directory of programs; hosting listening sessions; and forming a youth council. The proposal was praised as thorough and timely ahead of the strategic planning session. It will be brought to a vote at the next meeting.
- Family Day in the Park (September 5, 2026): A table may be reserved. Commissioners discussed having shirts or lanyards to increase visibility and using the event to distribute surveys. The event runs from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Ed Burrett Park.
Key Outcomes
- Million Father March assignments confirmed: Phipps (AIS), Chair (Glenwood), Clayton (Lodge), Moore (Washington). Outreach to Pastor Tim Simmons for Lodge will be made.
- Strategic planning session tentatively scheduled for September 24, 2026, after the regular meeting.
- Commissioners encouraged to apply for the EPD Citizens Academy.
- The Evansville Youth Village Network proposal will be voted on at the next meeting (August 2026).
- The meeting was adjourned by motion of Commissioner Ruff and second by Commissioner St. Germain, all in favor.
Meeting Transcript
This meeting is being transcribed and summarized. Good afternoon. Okay. We'll go ahead and call our meeting to order today is uh July 23rd, 2026. Uh this is the Commission on the Social Status of African American Males uh monthly meeting. Uh go ahead and start with our roll call. Commissioner Phipps. Commissioner Clayton. Here. Commissioner St. Germain. President. Commissioner Ruff. Here. Commissioner Calvert is present. We do have a quorum. Oh, excuse me. And Commissioner Moore, I'm sorry. Present. Pop in on me. Okay, so we do have a quorum. Um so go ahead and move to agenda item three, uh, which is the adoption of minutes. Has everyone had an opportunity to review those. And do we need to make any corrections? Had anyone noticed? Okay. Hearing none, I will entertain a motion to adopt the minutes as printed. So move. I second the motion. Motion by Commissioner Moore, second by Commissioner Phipps. Those in favor, signify by saying aye. Those opposed. All right. So the minutes are adopted. Uh we do not have any presentations today. Um new business. So we'll go ahead and move into our old business. Uh first up is the uh million father march that is scheduled for August 14th. Um that is the first day that all students will be uh in session together with the EVSC. Um and participating schools will include uh Lincoln, Glenwood, Lodge, AIS, and Washington. Um I know SEMA typically handles Lincoln. Um so that will leave Glenwood, Lodge, AIS, and uh Washington. Um where we could plug in. Uh so does anyone have a particular school they would like to uh be at for that day? Sorry. Commissioner Moore, go ahead. Commissioner Calvert, if you can place me at Washington. Okay. Uh Commissioner Phipps. All right.
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