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' Councilmember Allen asked what opportunities and challenges are important for New Brighton to consider in <br />addressing inclusion in New Brighton. <br />Ms. Olantanko stated she saw this Commission as a great opportunity to add more voices to the conversation <br />for the City. She explained she felt hypocritical being a white female, but noted she wanted to serve on this <br />committee because she worked well with people because she was a collaborator at heart. She believed this <br />Commission should look like how New Brighton looks. She wanted to help New Brighton educate and get to <br />know its neighbors. She reported she grew up in New Brighton and stated it looked different than when she <br />grew up and this was all for the better. <br />Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas explained topics addressed by the Equity Commission will be sensitive, emotional, <br />and important. If she had concerns about a specific policy or issue being discussed, how would she address <br />this. <br />Ms. Olantanko commented she would look into her heart of hearts to understand where the concerns were <br />coming from. After doing that, she would bring this up, voice it and share some way that it might be addressed. <br />She would hope that an open conversation could be held about the matter. <br />Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas thanked Ms. Olantanko for coming in and applying for this position. She noted City <br />Clerk Spangrud would be in touch with further information on how the Council was moving forward. She <br />explained the next person to be interviewed was Jonas Lim. <br />Councilmember Axberg asked Mr. Lim to explain how both your personal and professional experiences will <br />' help him be an effective member of the Equity Commission, if appointed. <br />Mr. Lim reported he worked at CSI as the Director of Marketing. He noted he was a member of the Diversity <br />and Inclusion Team at CSI. He explained this team worked to listen to its team members in order to ensure the <br />employees can be more effective. He stated this has taught him to listen to what people from different <br />backgrounds have to offer, while also working to bridge the gap. He stated from an equity perspective, <br />awareness was important along with providing people with the right tools to be successful. From a personal <br />perspective, he explained he was a part of the Coalition of Asian American Leaders and was involved in <br />ground breaking research that aggregated Asian Americans in Minnesota. He discussed the mistaken <br />understandings people have about Asian Americans, noting there was a growing population of refugees and <br />migrants that were falling below the poverty line. He stated by desegregating the data he was able to better <br />understand how to meet the needs of the individuals who were struggling. He stated he could bring the ability <br />to look at data in order to create better programs for the community in order to help them more appropriately. <br />Councilmember Abdulle asked what are some specific goals Mr. Lim hopes to accomplish by serving on New <br />Brighton's Equity Commission. <br />Mr. Lim responded his specific goal would be to bring awareness. He reported his experience and knowledge <br />of building programs, campaigns and helping people. He explained he came to this country to do something for <br />himself and his family. He wanted to see the under privileged and under represented served well. He stated <br />there needed to be more understanding and education in order for the City to properly serve the growing <br />diversity in New Brighton. <br />' Councilmember Allen asked what opportunities and challenges are important for New Brighton to consider in <br />addressing inclusion in New Brighton. <br />