COAA December 2016 MINUTES
The following minutes are taken as the COAA/ MOAA and the public input was reported.
12/7/2016 / 6:10PM / OFFICE ON AFRICAN AFFAIRS / 6th Floor
Meeting Called By / ChairAkua Asare
Secretary / Commissioner Kedist Geremaw
Attendees / Commissioners: ChibuAnyanwu, Akuaasare, Lafayette Barnes, Nana Afari-Dwamena, Kedist Geremaw, Abdel Maliky, Lydia Nylander, Ikenna Udejiofor, .
Director Mamadou Samba, Deputy Director Heran Serke-Brhan, Bezawit Mane,Language access Staff Aly Kaba ,Intern: Donald Ndebeka.
Public :John Jackson, Silvia Garrick, TheodoreNgakhou, Rashida Bright,Yodit Shibru, Fatima Williams, Kiel Byrne, Sarah Walker, Paul Djiki, Ahmed Allo, Dr Shelia Wojloh, Ify Nwabukwu..
  • Minutes were accepted with minor correction

Introduction /
  • ChairAsare opened the meeting by welcoming the commissioners and public attendees.

STANDING BUSINESS
COAA/MOAA
Issue 1:
Director:
Mamadou Samba
Issue 2
Issue 3
Issue 4
Issue 5
Chair Asare
Issue 6
COAA Sub-Committee/ Project Reports
Issue 7:Community input/ public Discussion / Director Samba talked about:
  • The need to submit minutes within 24 hours and posting on open access within 48 hours.
  • Once the meeting is accepted members it will be posted on the
MOAA site.
  • The need to submit meeting Agenda 3 days prior to the monthly
Meeting.
  • The need for MOAA and COAA to work together on specific agendas.
  • Commissioner Maliky asked how and when to get an e-mail access,
  • Chair responds by saying she will contact the office which is tasked to provide access.
  • Commissioner Nylander introduced Kiel Byrne who will be collaborating with MOAA and the January ECHO Cohort. The basic idea behind the project is to create “a google map” for African business in the District of Columbia. Where business will advertise, and for the Diaspora to search for African owned businesses.
  • Deputy Serke-Brhan talked about the barriers of accomplishing the task, business closing, unable to identify whether the businesses are owned by Africans.
  • Mr Byrne suggested the plan to use the crowdsource data collection method.
  • Commissioner Abel asked if aMemorandum of understanding was signed between the parties involved.
  • Chair Asare opened the forum for election since the chair commissioner Asare, the vice chair Commissioner Jorge and the Secretary Commissioner Geremaw decided to resign from their position.
-Commissioner Udejiofor - discussed about the election process;with two commissioners Geremaw and Nylander seeking to run for vice chair position.
-The Commissionersaddressed the attendees why they want the position. After the vote Commissioner Nylander was voted.
-A follow up question by Director Samba and Commissioner Udejiofor were put forward abnd a reply was given from the candidates.
-Commissioner Geremaw will reconsider a chair if a need arises in the coming year but withdrew her run at this meeting.
  • Education, jobs and Economic development:Report N/A
  • Public Safety & Housing: Report N/A
  • Transportation and Environment: Report N/A
  • Health, Wellness & the Arts Report N/A
  • Civic and Community Engagement: no updates Report N/A
  • Public attendee: Introduced themselvesand their affiliation

Upcoming events / Election of COAA Officers will convene

Ended: 8:20pm