Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Appointments topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Hartford committee forwards two nominees to African American and Black History and Culture Commission to full council
Summary
On Jan. 6 the Hartford Health & Human Services Committee voted to forward the mayor’s nominations of Kyle Anderson and Kathy Hermes to the new African American and Black History and Culture Commission with favorable recommendations; final confirmation is scheduled before the full City Council on Monday.
The Hartford Health & Human Services Committee on Jan. 6 recommended two mayoral appointees — Kyle Anderson and Kathy Hermes — be sent to the full City Council with favorable recommendations for membership on the city’s new African American and Black History and Culture Commission.
Kyle Anderson, introduced by Council President TJ Clark, described long family ties to Hartford and previous service on the City Council, saying he was invited to serve by “Dr. Foster” and that his local knowledge and family history — he described “five generations of Hartford” and noted his mother was “the first African American republican councilwoman in the city of Hartford” — motivated his decision to join the commission. Anderson told the committee he intends to work “within our framework” to uplift and educate young people about Hartford’s history.
Kathy Hermes, an associate professor of history who worked for years at Central Connecticut State University, told the committee about her research into the ancient burying ground in Hartford. Hermes said prior estimates of 300 people of color buried there were low and that her project “uncovered about 500 people of color who could be buried there,” and said she hopes to bring seventeenth- and eighteenth-century history into the commission’s work. She invited committee members to a walking tour of central Hartford to view related landmarks in warmer weather.
A motion to forward Anderson’s nomination was made and seconded and carried by voice vote; a second motion to forward Hermes’ nomination likewise carried. Committee members who spoke included Councilwoman Rossetti and Councilman Miguel, who pledged support for the commission and encouraged coupling historical work with local education initiatives. Chair and Council President TJ Clark said the appointments will be taken up by the full City Council at its Monday meeting for final confirmation.
No formal amendments or conditions were placed on either nomination during the committee meeting.
