AGENDA DATE: 11/14/2018
TITLE:
Title
Community Remembrance Project Update
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Provide Board of Supervisors with an update on activities related to the Community Remembrance Project and request direction to proceed with next steps
ITEM TYPE: Regular Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Russell
PRESENTER (S): Siri Russell
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Jeffery B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: Charlottesville's City Council created an ad-hoc blue ribbon commission on May 2, 2016, to address the questions and concerns brought before them regarding race, memorials and public spaces in Charlottesville. This commission brought forth a recommendation, endorsed by City Council in September 2017, to participate in the Equal Justice Initiative's Community Remembrance Project to acknowledge and memorialize the 1898 lynching of John Henry James in the County of Albemarle.
At the July 5th meeting of the Board of Supervisor's the Board voted to adopt a resolution (Attachment A) generally in support of the Community Remembrance Project work and that of the broad community coalition (including UVA, the City of Charlottesville, and others).
At the Board's August 8th meeting, following significant engagement in remembrance activities (including the soil collection, community discussion on lynching, and community pilgrimage), the Board of Supervisors directed County staff to continue efforts around the Community Remembrance Project, with specific attention given to relevant County-oriented history.
Staff is returning to the Board with proposed projects addressing these opportunities.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Engaged Citizens: Successfully engage citizens so that local government reflects their values and aspirations.
DISCUSSION: Following the August 8th Board meeting, staff has been engaged in the developing proposals for projects that emphasize collaboration, education, and preservation in pursuit of a more complete and inclusive histo...
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