CRC Newsletter | May 2020

Read the latest news from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Community Relations Committee.

Gratitude. Inspiration. Hope.

A Message from Michael Smalenberger, CRC Chair

My name is Michael Smalenberger and I have both the fortune and honor to serve as chairman of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Community Relations Committee. As families and communities around the globe deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, these three words are scarcely heard. As we, our loved ones and friends struggle with the sudden loss of life, devastating loss of employment, strained finances, mental illness, nagging hunger and innumerable other plights, it is understandable — even necessary — that this consume our thoughts, actions, and narrative.

As we tirelessly strive to mitigate the fallout from this dreadful disease which has disproportionately impacted communities of color, it is important that we recognize those who have buttressed our recovery. Many selflessly put themselves in harm’s way, risking both illness and death despite closely adhering to social distancing practices, to care for those who have fallen ill, deliver sustaining meals to the food insecure, provide the protection of shelter and clothes to the homeless, and offer transportation or a helping hand to someone in need. Many others generously donate often scarce resources to assist a neighbor, or even offer the comfort of a conversation to strangers who are struggling with the loneliness of isolation. Countless others continue to perform their essential duties allowing aspects of our lives a semblance of normalcy. Whether you are an advisory board member, city or county staff, volunteer, grocery store worker, police officer, firefighter, elected official, teacher, healthcare worker, community organizer, work for a nonprofit, or anybody else who continues to make our community a better place, thank you!

While these tireless and steadfast servants immerse themselves in their efforts often without seeking recognition or compensation in return, we can do more than giving mere words of gratitude and awe to support those on whom we lean during our struggles. There is no higher form of gratitude than attempting to follow in the footsteps of those to whom we are thankful. Let us draw from their burning desire to make our community a better place to rekindle our own efforts. While individually we may not be able to contribute much, if we act upon their inspiration, even seemingly small acts of kindness can collectively achieve extraordinary progress. Together we can be the light of hope at the end of the tunnel which very many so desperately seek.

In this CRC newsletter you will find some ways the Community Relations Committee is engaging with numerous partners to shed light on and mitigate the impact of COVID-19, especially the disparate impact on communities of color. If you would like more information on how to utilize these resources, or if you would like to get involved in this important work, I strongly encourage you to reach out to (704) 336–2424. You can also visit Community Relations and subscribe to stay connected with the CRC. Together we can be a part of gratitude, inspiration, and hope.

Virtual Town Hall Meetings

The City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County and the Community Building Initiative have collaborated to host COVID-19 Racial & Social Disparities virtual town hall meetings. The town halls focused on the impacts of COVID-19 on communities of color. Community members have been encouraged to participate in conversations on racial and social disparities and share their ideas for policy innovations that will produce more equitable outcomes for communities of color.

The first town hall meeting took place on Thursday, April 30 and addressed COVID19’s disparate impact in Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s African American community. The meeting was moderated by Elisa Chinn-Gary, Mecklenburg County Clerk of Superior Court and Judge of Probate and featured panelists: Dr. Raynard Washington, Deputy Health Director, Mecklenburg County; Taiwo Jaiyeoba, Assistant City Manager, City of Charlotte; Tiffany Fant, Climate Justice & Cultural Organizer, Sol Nation and Charles Thomas, Program Director/Charlotte, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. A replay of the meeting can be viewed by visiting the City’s YouTube channel.

The second town hall took place on May 6 and addressed impacts on the immigrant and refugee community. The meeting was held in English and Spanish and was co-hosted by Hola News. It was moderated by Gina Esquivel, Principal Consultant, Civic Canvas and featured panelists: Dr. Meg Sullivan, Medical Director, Mecklenburg County Public Health; Nimish Bhatt, Executive Director, Universal Institute for Successful Aging of the Carolinas; Federico Rios, Assistant Director, Office of Equity, Mobility and Immigrant Integration, City of Charlotte; and Salma Villarreal, Program and Engagement Coordinator, ourBRIDGE for KIDSYou. You can view the replay of the meeting by visiting the Hola News Facebook page.

The CRC continues to work with partners to engage residents and wants to hear your community-sourced ideas based on the recent town halls. Email ideas to: infocrc@charlottenc.gov.

Dispute Settlement Services for Residents

By Justin Lyons, CRC Member

In these moments of uncertainty and concern around the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s an opportune time to learn about resources that residents have at their disposal from the City’s Charlotte-Mecklenburg Community Relations Department.

For nearly 40 years, the Dispute Settlement Program (DSP) has provided mediation services for residents who want to resolve conflict without going to court. The benefit of mediation is it can be a quicker and more thorough way to reach a resolution without the expense and formality of court. The DSP mediates cases in a courtroom around concerns such as:

• Misdemeanor court cases (property damage, trespassing, simple assaults, etc.)
• Landlord/tenant disputes
• Disputes between neighbors, co-workers, family members, friends, etc.
• Medicaid appeals
• No contact orders
• Not mediated: Cases of domestic violence, child custody, divorce and felony charges

How does it work? Once the Community Relations staff receives a case, the team will invite the parties into mediation with a third-party, a trained mediator who will facilitate the discussion and guide the parties through the process. The mediator’s work usually involves hearing both sides of the story, getting clear on expectations, building a bridge to brainstorm potential solutions, and working to come to mutually agreeable solutions. If agreements are reached by the parties, the mediator will write up the terms and provide a copy to each party at the end of the session.

Visit the Dispute Settlement Referral form page if you’d like to utilize this critical service. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, mediation sessions aren’t being held in-person, but can be hosted via phone. The Community Relations Department also offers free training for residents who want to learn basic mediation and conflict resolution skills. If you would like to participate, submit your interest by visiting the Conflict Resolution Interest page.

Fair Housing is a Right, Not a Privilege

By Justin Lyons, CRC Member

As residents are considering their housing circumstances, it’s useful to know that there are resources that ensure protection from discrimination when renting, buying or securing financing for housing.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Community Relations Department believes that equal access in housing is a right, not a privilege. For that reason, Fair Housing staff are constantly working to help residents freely choose a place to live. Their work includes reducing the effects of discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, familial status or disability in our housing system.

To achieve that mission, the team:

• Accepts formal complaints
• Investigates allegations of discrimination
• Conducts public hearings on housing discrimination complaints
• Administers oaths and depositions
• Approves settlement agreements and monitors compliance with such agreements

Special protections may apply to those with Criminal Records; the guidance can be found by visiting U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Fair Housing staff also takes proactive measures to regularly provide training and community outreach to raise awareness and build knowledge about fair housing laws and best practices.

Community Relations recently received a grant from HUD to expand education and outreach efforts to the international and refugee community and is on the lookout for housing discrimination due COVID19.

You can contact Fair Housing staff at 704–336–5160 or visit the Fair Housing online form to file a complaint.

1-on-1 with the CRC Executive Director

By Dr. Scott Gartlan, CRC Member

The CRC has a long-standing history of working to ensure fairness, equity and access for all. Formed in 1961, and first known as the Mayor’s Friendly Relations Committee, the CRC, as it is commonly known today, is an advisory committee to local government on community relations issues and ways to address those issues through engagement.

From time to time, the CRC newsletter will feature 1-on-1 conversations with CRC Executive Director, Willie Ratchford, who has been with the City of Charlotte for 44 years. Through a series of conversations, Mr. Ratchford will share insights on the history of CRC and how the committee’s work is as vital and evident today as it was nearly 60 years ago. The first installment is from a recent interview with Mr. Ratchford and CRC member Dr. Scott Gartlan.

What is the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Community Relations Committee (CRC)?

The CRC promotes civil rights, and fair and equitable treatment of all residents of Charlotte-Mecklenburg. You might describe us as the City and County’s race relations organization. Our primary duties are to ameliorate the current effects of past discrimination and to promote community harmony, acknowledgement and understanding. What happened in our country as far back as 300 years ago, as it relates to race, still impacts how we interact with and treat one another in 2020. Disparate treatment based on identity is a part of our DNA in America. It is who we are. We also promote community harmony, to include acknowledgement and understanding. As we look at the diverse groups who make up the fabric of our community, groups that may be different based on race, sex, religion, national origin, color, disability, familial status (having children 18 years or younger in your custody) sexual orientation, or gender identity, we seek to provide opportunities for these groups to communicate with one another and resolve community problems together. This is especially important when there is a problem or issue related to mistreatment of a group, or an individual, based upon who they are, their identity. We will come together and work with other organizations like the Community Building Initiative to make sure that people, regardless of who they are, are sitting down and talking to each other, and not talking at each other across identity. Our purpose is to come up with solutions that serve the overall good of the community.

How is the CRC’s work relevant today?

Let me share a current situation that describes the CRC at work ameliorating the current effects of past discrimination and promoting community harmony and problem solving. As the world continues to address the pandemic of COVID-19, it is important to continue and enhance outreach and education to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg community. National data shows that communities of color are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, and local data indicates the same is true in Charlotte-Mecklenburg.

In an April 9, 2020 article, QCity Metro reports that “Mecklenburg health officials have acknowledged that the COVID-19 pandemic is having a disproportionate impact on Charlotte’s Black community. With 839 cases confirmed, about 48% of those confirmed cases have involved African Americans. And of the 10 countywide deaths attributed to COVID-19, more than half the victims were Black residents. (Mecklenburg County’s Black population in the 2010 census was measured at 32%).”

In the QCity Metro article, Mecklenburg County Public Health Director Gibbie Harris said “the disproportionate impact on the county’s Black population was hardly surprising. When we look at our demographics and our data in this community, this is the population that is hardest hit by all the chronic diseases in our community.”

Harris also stated that “this is the population where we are seeing the biggest challenges around social determinants — jobs, housing, education. So why should it be surprising that COVID-19 is treating this population any differently. This is just symptomatic of problems we have in our system for this population in our community. “

“While Black residents are no more susceptible to COVID-19 than other racial groups, health officials from around the nation are confirming that African Americans who contract the novel coronavirus, which can lead to the COVID-19, are suffering far worse health outcomes than their white counterparts.” When you factor in the current effects of past discrimination such as poverty, chronic illnesses (high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, obesity, etc.) food deserts, lack of health care insurance or being under-insured to name a few, we should not be surprised that COVID-19 has a disproportionate impact on African Americans and other ethnic groups who make up our community.

To explore and address the disproportionality of COVID-19, the CRC has partnered with the City of Charlotte Office of Equity, Mobility and Immigrant Integration, the Mecklenburg County Office of Equity and Inclusion, City of Charlotte’s Community Engagement Division of Housing and Neighborhood Services, and the Community Building Initiative to host virtual town hall meetings on COVID-19 Racial & Social Disparities. To view the April 30 town hall, click here. To view the May 6 town hall, click here.