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Home My WebLink About2025-02-26 Ad Hoc Commemoration Establishment Committeea.�H UPRG Town of Reading OIN;E1 VIE L) CLERK a Meeting Minutes - , A. P� ST. 2 GH 7: L 3 Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Ad Hoc Commemoration Establishment Date: 2025-02-26 Building: Reading Town Hall Address: 16 Lowell Street Purpose: General Business Attendees: Members - Present: Time: 7:00 PM Location: Lower Level Conference Room Session: Open Session Version: Final Taylor Gregory, Chair, Board of Library Trustees Appointee Ryan Johnstone, Vice Chair, School Committee Appointee Eddie Dee, Select Board Appointee Colm Eliet, CATO Appointee David Monahan, Select Board Designee Monique Pillow Gnanaratnam, Select Board Appointee Greg Selvitelli, Associate Select Board Appointee Pat Silva, Reading Police Department Appointee London Stith -Nichols School Committee Student Appointee Aujanetta Stith, Office of Equity & Social Justice Appointee Members - Not Present: Others Present: Reginald Nichols Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Greg Selvitelli Topics of Discussion: Meeting called to order by Chair Taylor Gregory Presentation by Eddie Dee Eddie Dee and Reggie Nichols on Bill Russell's life and career. Eddie presented a short summary of key dates from Bill Russell's early life until his acceptance into the Boston Celtics. Summary of Presentation from Eddie Dee. • Full Name: William Felton "Bill" Russell Sr. • Key theme in his books is that he talks about what is a definition of a Man / Manhood • Early Life: BIII lived in West Monroe, Ouachita, Louisiana from age 1 to 6, and then moved to Oakland, Alameda, CA at age 8 or 9. • Family: His father, Charlie, attended a Baptist church but got married in a Methodist church. Bill's mother, Katie Odell King, passed away when he was 12 years old. • Basketball Beginnings: Bill was not a star basketball player early on. In high school, he shared a shirt and split time with another player • College: He received a college scholarship after spending time on a travel team. In college, he was also a world -class high jumper • Career Choices: He rejected an offer from the Harlem Globetrotters because he felt slighted by the owner for not talking directly to him Page I I • Olympics: Bill participated in the Summer Olympics • NBA Draft: He was the 2nd overall pick in the 1956 NBA Draft, via a trade with St. Louis for the pick. • Personal Life: Bill married Rose Swisher at age 21. They faced racial discrimination when trying to buy a house in Wilmington, then in Reading, before eventually buying in Reading. Their first house in Reading was on Main Street (across from Home Goods next to DlCara's Deli). Summary of the Presentation from Reginald Nichols, along with submitted PowerPoint: "Bill Russell: Boston Celtics Years & Connection to Reading, MA" • Bill Russell's Legacy: 11-time NBA Champion with the Boston Celtics, first Black head coach in NBA history, and civil rights activist • Boston Celtics Years (1956-1969): Led the team to 11 championships, 5-time NBA MVP, and revolutionized defensive play • Leadership & Coaching: Became player -coach in 1966, leading the team to two more championships • Connection to Reading, MA: Lived in Reading, faced racial discrimination, and remained committed to civil rights • Civil Rights Activism: Marched with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., supported the 1967 Cleveland Summit, and continued advocacy throughout his life • Legacy & Influence: Celtics retired his jersey #6, NBA Finals MVP Trophy named in his honor, and awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom • Conclusion: Bill Russell's impact extends beyond basketball, inspiring courage, leadership, and activism. Reading, MA has an opportunity to further honor his legacy Outline of Committee timeline and responsibilities developed by Ryan and Taylor Ryan and Taylor met prior to meeting to discuss the first 6 months of big goals and presented the Deliverable Burn Down Plan that ties the plan back to the committee's charge. Two big deliverables had additional details laid out in the worksheet listing specific actions across Feb -June - "Orchestrate and execute event (3)" and "Acknowledge and express accountability (2)". The committee discussed needing additional ACE committee meetings to be able to plan and execute on the two big deliverables listed above, in May and June. The committee discussed tying Deliverables from Burn Down Plan to Juneteenth celebration - carve out section of event to address two deliverables above An issue was raised about communicating with family if targeting Juneteenth target take for acknowledgement event. Suggestion was raised to use event to survey town on what are some legacy programs we should pursue given set number of options. We need to find out what survey tool the Town uses to collect answers on surveys, that was we can include those unable to attend Juneteenth. The committee also discussed getting some of the schools to provide an art project for event. There was a risk raised that there is not enough time for June timeframe and this suggestion may need to be for a future event or to get it into a curriculum plan for 2025-26. There were additional suggestions to include an essay contest and a trivia session - need to balance the seriousness of the topic while also finding fun ways to engage the community. If there is an event like trivia night, the acknowledgement can't be lost in the event. There are potential risks with trying to organize ahead of Juneteenth, The committee discussed what the event should look like. The committee decided that the event can be multi -cultural while also acknowledgement of injustice / historical events Reading imposed on Bill Russell and family. Action Items: London Stith -Nichols Page 1 2 volunteered to speak with Albert, who oversees the Juneteenth event, to ask if an acknowledgement is possible during the event, ask for a speaker spot, and ask for a table at the event. Discuss where to store information gathered (surveys, statistics, CATO Conversation Information, etc.) The committee discussed where to store the information gathered, including surveys, statistics, CATO Conversation information, etc., to ensure Committee members can review materials. Taylor Gregory created a Google Drive folder to store the presentations and materials for the meeting that evening, the committee agreed this was the best way to store the information. Define roles of designees and how they will update the committees they represent The committee discussed creating a general report for committee members to report back to the Committees and Boards they represent to report on the work of the ACE Committee to date. Taylor Gregory agreed to create a basic outline for members to report back to their respective committees, with members tailoring the relevant information to their respective committees. Discuss potential "easy options" to engage the community and promote the committee's work The committee discussed the following options as potential ways to engage the community in the committee's work and gather feedback. • Book Club • Quotes from Bill: Bill Russell loved his quotes. Wall of Quotes, graffiti, etc. • Professional development for teachers, build curriculum for leadership development into a classroom syllabus • Scholarship - exemplify Bill Russell values • Monthly library civil rights program • Showings of Bill Russell Civil rights • Have Reading Public Library create an archive of Bill Russell books, materials, • Look at other towns/city's acknowledgements to get suggestions/examples of what to craft Discuss how and when to announce opportunities for public comment and public engagement The committee discussed inviting the community to participate in the March/April ACE meetings and ask that participants to come with ideas and suggestions. The committee also discussed options to get further Input from town on future commemoration Ideas while at the Juneteenth or other June event. Action Items: Invite the community to participate in March/April meetings and surveys, make sure to request bigger conference room, get posted on Town website and local media (including Patch, Post, Observer, Advocate, Chronicle, Recap). Other Business Two associate positions and the Council on Aging Designee on the committee remain vacant on the ACE Committee. Taylor Gregory shared that interested parties should reach out to Nancy Zlemlak, Chair of the Council on Aging, or fill out an application and sent to the Town Clerk's office to be appointed by the Select Board. Approve Meeting Minutes Motion to approve the meeting minutes as amended by Aujanetta Stith to approve, seconded by Ryan Johnstone. Motion approved by a vote of 9-0. Motion to adjourn by Ryann Johnstone, seconded by Monique Pillow Gnanaratnam. Motion approved by a vote of 9-0. Meeting adjourned at 8:45 pm. Page 1 3