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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Rights and Diversity Commission (HRDC) - 07/09/2026Meeting Agenda Eden Prairie Human Rights and Diversity Commission 7 p.m. Thursday, July 9, 2026 Heritage Rooms 1 & 2 8080 Mitchell Road Eden Prairie, MN 55344 ATTENDEES Commission Members: Gregory Leeper, Chair; Asad Aliweyd, Shana Bates, Shalanda Berry, Zaheer Khan, Jody Knight, Jessica Oaxaca, Brenda Pfahnl, Wendi Russo, John Urbanski, Susan Weaver City Staff: Paja Xiong, Community Services Manager & Staff Liaison, Julie Krull, Recorder MEETING AGENDA I.Call the Meeting to Order II.Introduction of Guests – Brynn Hirsch, Elections Specialist III.Approval of Agenda IV.Minutes from HRDC meeting held Thursday, June 11, 2026 V.Community Presentation – 7:00 pm – 7:45 pm a.City of Eden Prairie – 2026 Elections Preview VI.Old Business a.Party for Pride Debrief – 7:45 pm – 8:00 pm b.Community Conversation Updates – 8:00 pm – 8:15 pm c.PeopleFest! Party and Updates – 8:15 pm – 8:30 pm VII.New Business – None VIII.Next Meeting – August 13, 2026 IX.Adjournment Unapproved Minutes Eden Prairie Human Rights and Diversity Commission 7 p.m. Thursday, June 11, 2026 Heritage Rooms 1 & 2 8080 Mitchell Road Eden Prairie, MN 55344 ATTENDEES Commission Members: Gregory Leeper, Chair; Asad Aliweyd, Shana Bates, Shalanda Berry, Zaheer Khan, Jody Knight, Jessica Oaxaca, Brenda Pfahnl, Wendi Russo, John Urbanski, Susan Weaver City Staff: Paja Xiong, Community Services Manager & Staff Liaison, Julie Krull, Recorder MEETING AGENDA I. Call to Order/Roll Call Vice Chair Khan called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. Commission Members Leeper, Aliweyd, Berry, Oaxaca, and Russo were absent. II. Introduction of Guests Vice Chair Khan introduced Chris Anderson and Hannah Walker of PFLAG Greater Twin Cities South. III. Approval of Agenda MOTION: WEAVER moved, seconded by KNIGHT, to approve the agenda. Motion carried 6-0. IV. Approval of the April 9, 2026 Meeting Minutes MOTION: PFAHNL moved, seconded by URBANSKI, to approve the minutes. Motion carried 6-0. V. Community Presentation A. PFLAG Greater Twin Cities South Xiong introduced Chris Anderson and Hannah Walker of PFLAG Greater Twin Cities South. She stated PGLAG’s purpose is to support friends and families of those in the LGBTQ family. They envision a world where diversity is celebrated and all people are respected, valued, and affirmed regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. Xiong shared that Ms. Anderson holds the office of Treasurer and Ms. Walker holds the office of Vice President. Ms. Anderson started her presentation by stating PFLAG is the nations largest organization supporting, educating, and advocating for the LGBTQ+ community. The HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIVERSITY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES June 11, 2026 organization was started in 1973 with Generation Z being the largest Lesbian group. She stated the danger in the United States is persistent. In 2026 there were 200+ anti LGBTQ+ bills that have been filed. She did point out that Minnesota ranks as one of the top states supporting the LGBTQ+ community. Ms. Walker added that she knows a lot of people who have moved to Minnesota to receive support. Ms. Anderson stated the Greater Twin Cities South Chapter has monthly peer support meetings. Individuals need to be 18+ to attend. The meetings are confidential, available at no cost, open to all, nonpartisan and secular. The Eden Prairie Chapter meets on the second Sunday of the month from 7-8:30 pm. There is an average of 10 attendees each month, which includes new and returning individuals. There are also hybrid meetings that take place in New Prague on the fourth Tuesday of the month from 7-9 pm. There is an average of 8 attendees each month. Ms. Anderson shared the accomplishments of the PFLAG Greater Twin Cities South Chapter. She stated the Chapter was founded in October 2025 with a community kick- off and listening event called “Cookies and Cocoa”. This was a family event with approximately 30 people in attendance. They established the New Prague Chapter to continue the support in rural southern Minnesota. She pointed out the Chapters provide local support for families, friends, allies, and the LGBTQ+ community. They also partner with other local organizations to support events such as Trans Day of Visibility with Prism. The New Prague Chapter awards an annual scholarship to a LGBTQ+ high school student. Urbanski asked if PFLAG gets any pushback from anyone. Ms. Anderson responded that their Chapters have not received any pushback from anyone. She also pointed out they lock their doors 10 minutes after the meeting, and they do not advertise the location of the meeting; it is done by word of mouth. Ms. Anderson commented they would like to someday have more Chapters throughout the Twin Cities. Vice Chair Khan asked if they get any grants for scholarships. Ms. Anderson said at this time they do not. The New Prague chapter scholarship is from a unanimous donor that supports them. Ms. Anderson shared they have some upcoming events. On June 14th, they have an event called “Caring for your Child, Caring for Yourself: Stress and Support in LGBTQ+ Families. The presentation and discussion will be conducted by Dr. Sarah Cherwien Hoel in Eden Prairie from 7-8:30 pm. They also host Pride Event tables. They are as follows: • 6/14 Bloomington Pride • 6/20 Eden Prairie Party for Pride • 6/27 Chaska Pride • 8/6 Czech Out New Prague hosted by the New Prague Chapter. In August, with the date to be determined, there will be a Letter Writing Advocacy Event for all ages with an adult in attendance. Vice Chair Khan asked if there are advocates out there promoting their organization. Ms. Anderson said that is the goal and they are starting out with the schools for advocacy. Vice Chair Khan commented there are bills that could come in that they may not be aware of so it would be important to have advocates. HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIVERSITY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES June 11, 2026 Ms. Anderson said their 2026 goals are to grow attendance in Eden Prairie and to build relationships with local groups. They would also like to provide educational opportunities for attendees. And lastly, they would like to advocate for inclusive and safe LGBTQ+ policies in local schools and state. She said we can work together by spreading the word and sharing resources and also suggested a future joint event or advocacy project. She asked the Commission if they had any suggestions for meeting spaces to include the following: free, reservable, secular and would have the capacity for 20 individuals. Pfahnl suggested the Bloomington library as they have rooms with no windows. Bates suggested theaters. She also suggested contacting social workers at all of the Eden Prairie Schools and giving them information on PFLAG. Ms. Anderson said they did talk to a number of schools when they were tabling at Pride. Weaver asked what kind of information they would like the HRDC to pass along. Ms. Anderson said she has a lot of parents and grandparents approach her with questions and their organization supplies them with individuals who have been through a similar situation to talk with them to make the relationships better or to solve problems as they are a support group. Ms. Anderson also commented they are looking for additional facilitators or board members. She also asked the Commission if they could let her know if there are any grants that could be available to them. Xiong said they have grants from such organizations as Eden Prairie Family Services and said she will send Ms. Anderson an application. Xiong thanked Ms. Anderson and Ms. Walker for their presentation this evening. VI. Old Business A. Community Conversation Xiong presented the Commission with the title of the Community Conversation. It is, “Voices Across Cultures: A community conversation with the Human Rights & Diversity Commission”. The conversation will take place on Tuesday, July 28th from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at the Valley View Campus located at 11840 Valley View Road, in Eden Prairie. After some discussion by the Commission it was decided on the following: • There will be 4 speakers o Somali Speaker: Queen Hassan (Pending) o Latino Speaker: Grecia Lozano (Confirmed) o South Asian: OPEN – Commissioners to send suggestions to Xiong o Native American/Indigenous: OPEN – Xiong has reached out to one contact and is waiting for confirmation • Structure and Time o 4 panelists + 4 questions = 4 minutes per topic • Topics for the Panelists o Share the importance of food, gathering for a meal, sharing food in your culture. o How do you define family in your culture? o What role does education play in your culture? o What does showing up/participating in your community look like in your culture? How do you show up for one another in your community? HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIVERSITY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES June 11, 2026 • Final Agenda o 6:00 pm – 6:10 pm : Introductions and Housekeeping  Introducing HRDC and Shared Norms o 6:10 pm – 7:15 pm : Panel Discussion  4 panelist + 4 questions = 4 minute per topic o 7:15 pm – 7:45 pm : Gallery Walk  4 topics = 5 minutes per topic o 7:45 pm – 8:00 pm : Large Group Debrief and Wrap Up It was decided to keep the same norms as last year which are: • Challenge ideas, not individuals. • Lean into discomfort. • Share the air. • Be Present or Be Elsewhere. • Confidentiality. Xiong pointed out that she and Chair Leeper will be the moderators and she is looking for the following volunteers: • Set Up / Take Down – 3-4 volunteers (can be same as the facilitators) • Facilitators/Note Takers for the Gallery Walk – 3-4 volunteers • Welcome Table / HRDC Table – 1-2 volunteers Bates and Pfahnl said they could be facilitators. Knight said she would do the Welcome Table. Urbanski and Weaver said they could fill in where needed. Xiong stated if anyone else would like to volunteer send her an email. She also said she would get the candy and tabling materials. Xiong asked if the Commission should invite any other groups to table. It was decided not to invite additional groups. B. PeopleFest! Planning and Updates Xiong said the PeopleFest! Party will be on July 26, 2026 from 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm at Center Middle School. She would like volunteers for the tabling shifts. They are as follows: 2:45 pm – 5:00 pm – 2-3 volunteers needed. They will need to pick up tabling materials on Friday, July 25th at the City Center. 5:00 pm – 7:15 pm – 2-3 volunteers needed. They will need to drop off the tabling materials on Monday, July 28th at the City Center. Knight said she could volunteer anytime and Weaver said she could volunteer but will confirm the time at a later date. Xiong asked the Commissioners to email her if they are willing to volunteer. She said she will have the tri-fold, candy, wheel, and bracelet material available for the table. The PeopleFest! guides will be available in early July for distribution. HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIVERSITY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES June 11, 2026 VII. New Business A. Party for Pride Xiong asked the Commissioners if they want a table at this event and if so, who would be willing to volunteer. The event will take place on June 20th at Staring Lake Park from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm. It was decided to table the event. Knight said she could volunteer for the entire time. Urbanski said he could be there at 9:00 am. Weaver said she could volunteer at 10:30 am. It was suggested to have the tri-fold, beads and candy at the event. Bates suggested having words for the bracelets. VIII. Next Meeting: July 9, 2026 IX. Adjournment MOTION: URBANSKI moved, seconded by KNIGHT, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 6-0. VICE CHAIR KHAN adjourned the meeting at 8:39 pm.