The Racial Inclusivity and Social Equity Commission (RISE) of Albany met on September 5th, 2024. As an overview, they covered work plan amendments, recommendations and updates to subcommittees.

After discussing the need to delay moving forward with the Albany Equity Survey, the focus of the meeting turned to other areas of RISE Commission business. Commissioners said they wanted to structure subcommittees around their individual areas of interest, as captured in the commission’s scope of work. Commissioner Jim Lindsay said he was interested in the first item in the plan, the Racial Equity Survey. Commissioner Charlotte Trenkle stated that they all had previously agreed to work on the second item, the sugar beverage tax, as a team. Erin Cho was the only commissioner who expressed interest in working on the third item, writing a recommendation on a City Council equity statement. Item four, which involves collaboration between the City Council and RISE to establish a racial equity office or officer, is in progress but moving slowly due to the Council’s busy schedule. The commissioners decided to put the matter aside, to review at a later date, during the meeting.

The commission then agreed to table item 5, which involves providing recommendations for a read-along program or book club for local residents of all ages, due to lack of funding. However, they agreed to keep it in the work plan in case there is sufficient financial backing in the future. Cho as well as other RISE commissioners said they were interested in item six, that calls for convening racial equity listening sessions. They said listening sessions are a valuable way to hear the voices of the community and acknowledge important issues in Albany. Item seven is to improve government communication systems so that there are more effective ways for the community to give feedback. With better communication systems, the community will be more knowledgeable  about commissions, measures and programs available to help Albany residents. Moreover, the city needs to listen to the community’s needs and there should be easier ways to do that. The commission also decided to set item seven aside while they work on other priorities. Lastly, item 8 concerns inclusive sports “where non-typical youth and typical youth interact as teammates” and all commissioners agreed to work together on this item.

This commission covered a lot of ground with the discussion about work plan items, and the delineation of potential roles and responsibilities for commissioners. Their future plans are to continue working on priority items from the work plan as well as dissolving the read-along subcommittee.

–Sophie Pomfret