HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-02-11-LHRC-min.pdf
Town of Lexington Human Rights Committee
Meeting Minutes for Wednesday, February 11, 2026
LHRC MEMBERS PRESENT
Christina Lin, Chair (CL); Stephanie Hsu, Vice-Chair (SH); Rachel Levy (RL); Judy Zola (JZ); Hafsah
Syed (HS)
Liaisons in attendance - Colleen Dunbar, Lexington Police (CD); Juanica Buchanan, Human Services
Outreach Coordinator (JB); Andrea So, Lexington Public Schools, Director of Elementary Curriculum
(AS); Sarah Carter, School Committee liaison (SC),
Guest: Luke Burke-Fournier, Assistant Director of Human Resources, Vannak Khin - Community
Engagement Coordinator, Anne Kostos - Director of Human Resources
The minutes recorded by Christina Lin
Next Steps:
A. Exit survey for Community Conversation on Race by HS &JZ. The group suggested
30-60sec survey, collecting qualitative data, using scale metrics for easy evaluation,
including 3-4 questions and 1 idea for suggestion. Due Monday, Feb 16, 2026. CL to send
to attendees and connect with MLK Day of Service to inquire about whether a
coordinate/combined exit survey would make sense.
B. Planning for MLK Day - Community Conversation on Race (CCoR) and Activator Fair.
Each committee member will choose 2-3 roles to work on for 2027 MLK Day. Roles will be
locked-in at the Feb 25th meeting.
a. Food coordination
b. Youth programming (JZ, RL, SH)
c. Pre/Post Survey + Analysis
d. Marketing & Promotion
e. Materials - agenda for CCoR
f. The Activator Fair
g. Checklist/timeline coordinator for the fair
Meeting called to order at 9:02am
1. MLK Day Planning and Events
The meeting focused on planning for Martin Luther King Jr. Day events, with
discussions about the Human Rights Committee's Community Conversation on Race
and the Activator Fair. Committee members appreciated the MLK Day of Service
1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE • LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02420
committee expanding their offerings to a week of programs with a range of approaches
for community learning.
“Because there were so many different kinds of events, everyone had something they
could try and there was something appealing for everyone.”
This discussion led to building on the existing momentum. It was noted that 78 people
were in attendance at the Community Conversation on Race. An exit survey was
suggested to inform next year’s program. Details are in the Next Steps section above.
RL shared that she was impressed by her child’s school’s comprehensive efforts with
incorporating lessons around the Civil Rights Movement for Martin Luther King Jr.
Day. SC suggested that coordination of youth programs and promotion for MLK Day is
best done before the summer to give teachers time to plan.
Additional feedback included:
a. A unanimous consensus on beginning the planning for MLK Day immediately.
i. The group agreed to begin planning for 2027 at the next meeting
ii. SH created a ‘jobs list’ and each LHRC member will choose 2-3 jobs that
they will commit to working on by the next meeting on Feb 25th
b. Activator Fair should be coordinated with high school volunteering opportunities
in the future. There were high school students volunteering, but there seems to
be an opportunity for greater promotion for students who want to get involved
with community service. Also, the Activator Fair might be better timed if it
overlapped with the CCoR and Opening Ceremony to make the day shorter.
c. Set expectations that all committee members must show up to Martin Luther
King Day and help organize the day’s events.
d. Set expectations for the audience with an agenda so they understand the flow of
the day before showing up at the event.
e. Forecasting expectations for participants is helpful - ensuring that participants
f. Identify take away points for community members in shaping future
programming.
2. Introductions to the members of the Town Equity Team
The committee welcomed new members Luke Burke-Fournier and Vannak Khin from the
town's equity team. Juanica and Vannak will attend all LHRC meetings and Luke will
attend as timing permits.
a. Lucien (Luke) Burke-Fournier (he/they) as the new Assistant Human Resources
Director and Internal Equity Manager
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b. Vannak Khin as the new Community Engagement Coordinator
c. Juanica Buchanan as the Clinical Engagement and Community Equity Officer
3. Neighboring HRC - Building Connections Workshop training with Essential
Partners - a reminder to committee members to sign up for the training.
4. To put on hold for the next LHRC meeting
a. Discuss Town Meeting Article #33 for Universal Design
b. Begin planning LHRC goal
5. Succession planning
a. CL and SH announced that they will be stepping down from the Chair and Vice Chair
position
6. To put on hold for the March LHRC meeting
Committee members to share out initial ideas for each of the working groups: Housing,
Anti-Hate/Anti-Bias, Community Conversation
7. Succession planning
CL and SH announced that they will be stepping down from the Chair and Vice Chair
position
1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE • LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02420