Danvers Human Rights and Inclusion Committee welcomes new members, schedules Hispanic Heritage celebration and outlines mini-grant and youth program changes

The Town of Danvers Human Rights and Inclusion Committee met Thursday, Sept. 18, and welcomed two new members, announced a community Hispanic Heritage Month celebration on Oct. 4 at Danvers High School, discussed an upcoming mini-grant initiative and reported organizational changes for the NextGen youth program. Chair Johan Hunter led the meeting and committee members approved the minutes from the committee’s previous meeting.

The meeting opened with a Native American land acknowledgement read by Karen, recognizing the Naumkeag and Agawam peoples as the ancestral inhabitants of what is now Danvers. Hunter introduced two new members: Luisita Pumphrey (absent) and Luis Velasquez. Hunter said Pumphrey has been active on the committee’s Martin Luther King event and is a local real estate agent. Luis Velasquez, who said he has been a Danvers resident for about 15 years, described his community work and urged unity: “if every member of a diverse community comes together and acknowledge that we all the same, that we all breathe the same air… then we all can find that common ground,” Velasquez said.

Committee members discussed plans for a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration on Saturday, Oct. 4, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Danvers High School atrium. Luis (Velasquez) outlined event details including food from La Frontera, performances, a Zumba demonstration, participation by the Massachusetts Latina Police Officers Association and Open Door Immigration Services, and a library presence. The committee asked that promotional graphics be shared for churches and community groups; town social media promotion was expected.

Dr. Desmond updated the group on a mini-grant initiative being developed by the committee and the Friends of the HRIC. Materials to solicit project ideas from the broader community will be released soon, Desmond said, and the initiative is intended to support events or projects that raise awareness of Danvers’ multicultural communities.

Members also reported changes to NextGen, the committee’s youth engagement program. Izzie said NextGen senior leadership met recently and that Miss Ridley will shift to a remote adviser role. The group is considering a peer-to-peer model and plans to return to in-school activities at the middle school; NextGen is seeking an active adviser to support meetings during or after school hours.

A procedural motion to accept the minutes from the July meeting was moved and seconded and approved by voice vote. Committee members also discussed an unallocated check for $288 being held by Friends of the HRIC to be delivered to Prism (a school-based or student group referenced in meeting discussion). Members agreed to route the donation through the high school. The meeting closed following a motion to adjourn that was approved by voice vote.

Liaison reports included an update from Eric, the school committee liaison, who said Danvers Public Schools reopened recently and emphasized the district’s commitment to educating all students in a welcoming environment. A select board liaison attending late expressed the select board’s support for the committee and noted the town manager’s interest in supporting HRIC and the Accessibility Commission.

No ordinances, contracts, or formal binding votes were taken at the meeting beyond procedural approval of minutes and adjournment. Several items discussed — the mini-grant, the Hispanic Heritage event and NextGen adviser search — were described as upcoming work requiring further materials or follow-up from committee members or staff.