| durhamregion.com | This Week | Thursday, December 1, 2022 | 4 and is now the vice chair. Two years into the creation of similar initiatives across Durham municipalities, following the May 2020 death of George Floyd, various committees are making strides, but feel there is still a lot of work to do. "I'm mindful that we're asking people to think differently, and act differently and do differently, and mindful that takes time," says Allison Hector-Alexander, the Region of Durham's director of diversity, equity and inclusion. The Durham Region Anti-Racism Task Force is part of the region's commitment to develop and implement an anti-racism framework to ensure a healthy workplace and to address racism within Durham. The website says the region recognizes the presence of anti- Black racism, and strives to build safe and healthy communities. "We condemn all forms of systems of oppression, which deny individuals the right to equitable treatment, access and fairness," the website says. The region believes it's possible to engage the community in anti-racism conversations through open, respectful and factual dialogue. From seeing problems in schools to acts of racism in hospitals, Heath, who eventually became the chair of the Pickering task force, eagerly signed up to be a part of it. "That was my primary reason to help, was to be a voice for those who felt they weren't being heard and hopefully to address our concerns," he says. It was created for a number of reasons, from identifying barriers and areas of opportunity, to celebrating and promoting the Black community and Black culture. "We want to empower members of the community," Grignon says. "We want them to know that they do have some power, they do have some say in the way that community services are offered. They can get out there, and they can share their vision and they can participate." The work so far has included creating a website, an open-mic night for youth, and the Powerfully Informed series, which raised awareness among Black community members around the October municipal election. "We try to come up with initia- tives that align with our man- dates, and it's around identifying barriers and opportunities to en- hance shared experiences," Heath says. Hector-Alexander hopes that as various initiatives, events and conversations continue around racism, that positive change will seep into the community. "That is our goal," she says. One of the region's initiatives includes hosting anti-Black racism town hall meetings. The region is also building a regional speakers bureau. "We're hoping that this will be an annual event as well," Hector-Alexander says. The task force is looking at ways to support anti-racism education in the school system, which includes building partnerships with different boards, and is working on the development of an anti-racism hub for community engagement and education. "It will be Durham-focused, a living document," Hector-Alexander says. The Town of Ajax was quick to create a task force. "The task force has been set up to listen to local Black voices, and initiate concrete actions to support the Black community and other racialized groups in Ajax," the website says. It has a commitment to addressing systemic and institutional racism experienced by the Black community and other racialized groups. One example was endorsing support of the body-worn camera program's implementation in Durham Regional Police Service. In 2022, the task force held a diversity speaker series, with topics such as demystifying mental health and understanding racism. Clarington council has endorsed an inclusive spaces policy in partnership with its diversity advisory committee in the spring, to create an open environment where everyone is welcome to freely enjoy Clarington facilities and spaces without fear of harassment, racism and discrimination. After adopting the policy and joining the UNESCO Coalition of Inclusive Municipalities, Clarington began working on an anti-racism strategy that will include education, training and communications to increase awareness and eliminate all forms of discrimination. "The work of the committee is extremely important in pushing forward in our fight to eliminate racism and discrimination," says Meera McDonald, chair of Clarington's diversity advisory committee and co-chair of the anti-Black racism subcommittee. "As a community, we must all work together to dismantle racism by finding some way to act, right now, right where we are. We can all make a difference." Currently, the subcommittee is working with the municipality to add an anti-racism web page to Clarington.net, with links for residents to submit and address racism and discrimination concerns. In partnership with the Clarington Public Library, the webpage will also include education and resources for parents and caregivers. "Our volunteer committee and subcommittee members have made, and continue to make, such an important contribution toward addressing racism and discrimination in our community," says Erica Mittag, Clarington's inclusion, diversity, equity and anti-racism officer. Clarington is currently recruiting to fill four vacancies on the diversity advisory committee for a four-year term beginning in 2023. Applications are due Friday, Dec. 2, and members will be appointed in January. Apply at clarington.net. STORY BEHIND THE STORY: After the death of George Floyd, in May 2020, more people began speaking up about racism and task forces were created to address the issue. Durhamregion.com wanted to see what's changed. NEWS Continued from page 1 'WE WANT (PEOPLE) TO KNOW THAT THEY DO HAVE SOME POWER, THEY DO HAVE SOME SAY IN THE WAY THAT COMMUNITY SERVICES ARE OFFERED' Allison Hector-Alexander is the director of diversity, equity and inclusion at the Regional Municipality of Durham. Regional Municipality of Durham photo "As a community, we must all work together to dismantle racism by finding some way to act, right now, right where we are. We can all make a difference." - Meera McDonald, Municipality of Clarington SCAN THE CODE to read more Durham news online.