Laurel Juneteenth Planning Committee Meeting – April 5, 2023

APRIL 12, 2023 MEETING WILL BE VIA ZOOM

Meeting commenced at 6:10pm

Roll call: Vice Chair: Sandra Choute. Members: Ummi Modeste and Troy Griffith.

Read-out of March 29, 2023 meeting notes.

Video of April 5, 2023 meeting is available.

Please email any corrections to meeting minutes to Secretary Troy Griffith

Meeting agenda is as follows:

1. Roll Call

2. Reading of the March 29, 2023 Minutes

3. Adoption of Agenda

4. Budget

5. Sub Committee Reports

6. Open Forum

7. Adjournment

Discussion between Vice Chair Choute, Ummi, and Troy about adding Spanish language to

“save the date” cards. Vice Chair agrees that “save the date” card will feature English/Spanish.

Discussion on whether moving forward without a quorum is a viable option since we are getting

close to the Juneteenth event. Vice Chair Choute will follow up with Councilmembers.

Rita’s ice will be sought out as a potential vendor.

Vendor sub-committee: Ever since we sent out a follow up, vendors are slowly reaching out. It is

still a waiting game when it comes to vendors. It appears we may need to keep following up.

Ummi requested a vendors list, so we know who are the vendors so far. Secretary Troy Griffith

agreed to send out a list.

We need to hand out vendor applications to the businesses on Main Street, so they are aware of

the Juneteenth event.

Vice Chair Choute suggested we start reaching out to businesses on the outskirt of Laurel (e.g.

Howard/Anne Arundel County).

Chair Ron Peterson and Chris Ojo (Notes and Jokes) entered the meeting.

The Deejay will be provided/sponsored by Laurel Board of Trades (Secretary notes: I may have

misheard this part of the conversation). The proposed website has a sponsor. However, the City

of Laurel is building their own site and may not be able to dedicate any resources (human or

financial). The Committee can move forward with a site, but the “City” will not allow any use of

their logo.

Per Chris Ojo, the site will be more informative than collecting any funds. Again, sponsorship

levels are $2,500 (gold), $1,500 (silver), bronze ($500).

Secretary Troy Griffith offered his thoughts on the site, as it will not feature the logo of the City

and the idea is we will be handing off to next year’s Committee, we will like to make it smooth

for the next Cmte.

Vice Chair Choute questioned whether the site will be “unsecured.”

Chair Peterson offered the site will be for promotional and marketing.

There was a lengthy discussion on the logistics of having a website without the City’s logo.

Ultimately, it was decided there will not be a website.

The audio/deejay will be separate (two different people).

Chris Ojo suggested a Juneteenth logo for the banner (black in color background encircled with

three red/green/yellow closed fists raised in the air). The Cmte suggested the red/green/yellow

fist can be replaced with the different skin tones of Black people (e.g., brown or dark tone).

Then, logos of the sponsors can go around the Juneteenth logo. Banner will be printed once

funds become available.

Vice Chair Choute stated programming is on track and entertainment is being finalized.

“Program” will team up with “Entertainment.” When funds become available, performers will be

receiving their compensation.

Marketing will be gathering photos (if you have any photos from 2022 event, please send our

way).

Weekly reminders: 1) If you’re unable to attend meetings, please feel free to submit ideas,

suggestions, or comments. 2) all are welcome to have friends and family members volunteer for

the committee either on planning or the day of the event.

Next meeting: virtual on April 12, 2023.

See everyone next week. Meeting adjourned at 7:02pm.