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DEI commission presents annual update; council approves Juneteenth and Minority Mental Health proclamations
Summary
The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) commission reported on 2025 activities and goals, and council approved proclamations recognizing Juneteenth and Phoebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. Commissioners outlined event plans and partnerships; council members asked about outreach and advocacy.
The DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) Commission presented its 2025 update to Commerce City Council, listing community events, volunteer recruitment and goals including advocacy and legislative monitoring. Melissa Sumner, the city’s community and cultural liaison, and DEI chair Iona Long Soldier briefed the council on accomplishments and planned outreach.
Long Soldier described the commission’s 2025 goals: hosting multiple community events (Black History Month, Women’s History Month, Asian American and Pacific Islander Month and planned Native American Heritage Month), expanded Juneteenth programming at Pioneer Park and increased partnerships for tabling at local events such as Adams County Pride and Music in the Park. The commission reported 14 members (12 residents and two council members), two vacancies and increased in-person engagement following a switch to alternating virtual/in-person meeting months.
Council members asked about geographic reach, language access, advocacy and measuring success for testimony or legislative engagement. Chair Long Soldier said advocacy work is currently organized by a subcommittee that tracks opportunities and that individual commissioners, not the full commission, would testify when appropriate; the commission aims to produce template materials for testimony and to expand partnerships to increase outreach.
Following the presentation council voted on two proclamations that had been pulled from the consent agenda. A DEI representative read the Juneteenth proclamation recognizing June 19, 2025, as Juneteenth in Commerce City and invited residents to the Juneteenth celebration at Pioneer Park. Council member Craig Kim moved to approve proclamation PROC 25-020 for Juneteenth; the motion was seconded by Council member Renee Chacon and passed unanimously (8–0 with one excused absence).
A second proclamation, designating July 2025 as Phoebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month and encouraging awareness and community-led mental-health supports, was read and discussed. Council members praised the proclamation and noted community need; Council member Kim moved to adopt PROC 25-022, seconded by Council member Chacon. The council approved the proclamation unanimously.
Members of the DEI commission joined council for a group photo after the votes. Council and staff encouraged continued work on outreach, partnerships and clarity about when the commission would speak as a body versus when members would testify individually.
