Winterville human relations board names Rashana Carmen chair, finalizes community events calendar

The Winterville Human Relations Board on Monday elected Vice Chair Rashana Carmen as chair by acclamation and selected Dedra Gregory as vice chair, and moved forward on a calendar of community events for 2026 and early 2027.

The board opened with a roll call and approval of the meeting agenda and the minutes for February and March. After brief praise for a recently held Juneteenth event, members turned to elections under new business. "I nominate Rashana Carmen for chair," a board member said; the nomination received a second and was approved by acclamation. Shortly afterward the board closed nominations and appointed Dedra Gregory as vice chair by acclamation.

The meeting then focused on planning and scheduling community activities. Members agreed to pursue a Hispanic Heritage Month presence in September and discussed partnering with local organizations and student groups, including Kasa Azul and ECU's Latino student union. Staff said they would reach out to potential partners and confirm details.

Board members revisited a back-to-school donation program the board supported last year and discussed budgeting for a single-school distribution of supplies if funding is limited. Staff told the board the annual allotment was expected to be the same as last year and that she would confirm the exact number by email; during the meeting board members referenced an estimated figure of $5,000 for the board's yearly allocation but requested staff verification before final decisions.

Members confirmed plans to participate in National Night Out, typically the first week of August, and to request a tent space at the Watermelon Festival (scheduled that year for Aug. 27Aug. 30). Several members emphasized language access for Spanish-speaking residents and asked that event flyers be produced in both English and Spanish; two officers volunteered to help with Spanish-language outreach.

Looking toward 2027, board members discussed hosting a free financial-literacy and homeownership-readiness class in partnership with a church-sponsored program that brings in bank counselors and sponsors. The board debated whether to hold the one-day class on the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday (Jan. 18, 2027) or on a Saturday (primary date discussed: Jan. 16) to maximize attendance; staff recommended checking the community room and depot calendars and securing alternate dates if weather or scheduling conflicts arise.

Staff reminded members the municipal budget timeline typically requires submissions by March 31 and offered to provide monthly expenditure reports to assist the board in finalizing next year's budget. Members agreed to finalize their budget at the March meeting and to rely on staff for assistance with expenditure reporting and procurement.

Other items discussed included continued participation in the chamber's November giveaway and a winter blanket/food distribution in December, exploration of a trial pickleball program with Parks and Recreation, and a member question about term expirations and updates to the board roster; staff said Don would update membership records and confirm term dates.

The board adjourned after a motion carried by voice vote. Staff follow-ups included verifying the precise annual allotment, checking venue availability for the January and February events and contacting festival organizers about tent space.

Votes at a glance: - Agenda approval: approved by voice/show of hands (no roll-call tally specified). - Minutes (February and March): approved (motion, second; no roll-call tally specified). - Chair: Rashana Carmen nominated and approved by acclamation. - Vice chair: Dedra Gregory nominated/approved by acclamation. - Adjournment: motion carried by voice vote.

Next steps: Staff will confirm the board's annual allocation and venue availability; board to finalize budget and event dates at future meetings.