Cape Verdean Commission approves 12-person slate to expand cultural center panel

Madam Chair convened a special, 30-minute virtual meeting of the Cape Verdean Commission to approve minutes and consider a 12-person slate of nominees to expand the commission that will help plan a Cape Verdean Cultural Center.

The commission unanimously approved the Jan. 13 meeting minutes after an unidentified member moved to approve them. The Chair then read a list of a dozen recommended nominees to bring the commission closer to the statutory-cap of 15 members and explained the subcommittee process used to identify gaps in regional and skillset representation. "We have a strong list of commissioners," the Chair said when presenting the slate.

Commission staff member Rochelle, who managed meeting materials and roll call, said the nominating subcommittee—identified in the meeting record as including Senator Miranda and Commissioners Lopes and Vega—used a grid of criteria to identify where representation was lacking and to select candidates to fill those needs. The slate included representatives and community leaders intended to cover expertise in arts and cultural programming, historical preservation, museum and cultural institutions, architecture and development, fundraising, nonprofit governance, higher education, language preservation and community organizing.

Representative David Viera raised factual corrections during the review, asking that regional affiliations be adjusted for a small number of nominees and noting a spelling correction for one surname (Barbara Burgo). The Chair acknowledged the corrections and said staff would update the nominee materials.

A motion to accept the slate was made and seconded; the Chair called for a voice vote and announced, "It passes the slate of nominees for the Cape Verdean Culture Center and our work is done." The transcript records no nays; the precise numerical tally was not specified in the meeting record.

Rochelle said staff would send appointment letters within a week and asked members to share contact information for nominee outreach. "It looks like our next meeting should be scheduled for Monday, February 23 from 3 to 4," Rochelle said; the meeting will be a full, publicly marketed session that will include time for public comment and further onboarding of new commissioners.

The Chair closed the special meeting after a motion to adjourn was seconded and approved by voice vote. The commission will continue its work at the Feb. 23 meeting and through upcoming listening sessions and community outreach to inform the Cultural Center planning process.