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Council approves $150,000 in African American Equity Restoration Task Force grants amid criticism about process and outreach
Summary
The City Council authorized the mayor to award up to $150,000 in grants recommended by the African American Equity Restoration Task Force. Public commenters criticized the task forceprocess and accessibility; task force leaders and staff described meetings as publicly noticed and streamed.
The City Council unanimously approved a resolution authorizing the mayor to execute documents to award up to $150,000 in African American Equity Restoration Task Force investment grants to support programming by local organizations.
The item (11b) drew public comment and debate about the task force's transparency and community engagement. Rick Roach and other members of the public told council the task force operated "in obscurity" and that meetings and decisions felt like an "insider club." Roach asked whether community representation and member selection reflected East Knoxville residents' priorities.
Deborah Porter, co-chair of the African American Equity Restoration Task Force, responded that meetings are publicly noticed, streamed for later viewing, and held monthly; she said the task force had taken several years to organize, had formed subcommittees and was working on issues including home ownership and small-business support. "Come see for yourself," Porter said, inviting community members to attend.
Council member McKenzie asked staff to bring a task-force representative to answer questions about membership and process; Porter said members had been recommended to council and the mayor in accordance with the process and that the task force has held monthly public meetings at Pellissippi State, usually beginning at 5:30 p.m.
City Director Middlebrook explained that the grant timeline had shifted as staff consolidated grant cycles; as a result, final reports from prior-year grantees were not uniformly available to be considered during the current review. Middlebrook said the office intends to keep the fall grant timeline and is reviewing processes to improve alignment with applicants' reporting schedules.
After public comment and staff responses, council members approved the resolution. Council members asked staff and the task force to continue outreach and to ensure community members can access meeting information and grant criteria.
