January 2026 HRAB Minutes

Human Relations Advisory Board (HRAB) Minutes 
January 28, 2026 
Meeting Time: 6:00 PM 
 
 
 
 
CITY OF MESA 
HUMAN RELATIONS ADVISORY BOARD (HRAB) 
January 28, 2026 Minutes 
 
The Human Relations Advisory Board (HRAB) of the City of Mesa met on January 28, 2026 at 
6:00pm in the Study Session Room at City Hall, 20 East Main Street. 
 
MEMBERS PRESENT
MEMBERS ABSENT
STAFF PRESENT    GUESTS     
Christiana Hammond, Chair 
Spencer Beck 
William Campos 
Abram Ellsworth 
Yudidt Nonthe Sanchez 
Perla Sandberg 
Oscar White 
Jane Williams-Cooper 
Sabrina Dobson 
Chantelle Frazee-Jacobs 
 
Andrea Alicoate 
Bianca Amin 
Randall Vogel 
Lisa Olson 
Bryanna Blanco 
Kathleen Richards 
1. Chair’s Call to Order. 
Ms. Hammond called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 
(1a)  
Announcement of excused absences. 
Ms. Sabrina Dobson and Ms. Chantelle Frazee-Jacobs were announced as excused 
absences for this meeting. 
2. Items from Citizens Present. * 
No citizens wished to speak to the board. 
3. Approval of minutes from the December 3, 2025 HRAB meeting. 
It was moved by Mr. Oscar White and seconded by Mr. Abram Ellsworth that the above-
mentioned minutes be accepted as written. 
Upon tabulation of votes, it showed: 
AYES – Ms. Christiana Hammond, Mr. Spencer Beck, Mr. William Campos, Mr. Abram 
Ellsworth, Ms. Yudidt Nonthe Sanchez, Ms. Perla Sanberg, Mr. Oscar White, Ms. Jane 
Williams-Cooper 
NAYS – None 
4. Hear, discuss, and approve the selection of the Vice-Chair role. 
It was moved by Mr. Oscar White and seconded by Ms. Jane Williams-Cooper that the 
selection of Mr. Ellsworth as Vice Chair be accepted as written. 
Upon tabulation of votes, it showed: 
AYES – Ms. Christiana Hammond, Mr. Spencer Beck, Mr. William Campos, Mr. Abram 
Ellsworth, Ms. Yudidt Nonthe Sanchez, Ms. Perla Sanberg, Mr. Oscar White, Ms. Jane 
Williams-Cooper 
NAYS – None

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5. Hear and discuss a presentation from the East Valley Children’s Theatre about its community 
programs. 
Ms. Lisa Olson, East Valley Children’s Theatre Board President, presented an overview of 
services offered by the organization. The East Valley Children’s Theatre (EVCT) will be 
celebrating its 30th anniversary and has been an integrative part of the Mesa arts community. 
The program currently serves children 3 to 18 years of age with the Adaptive Theatre program 
serving special needs children and adults up to the age of 22. The program offers year-round 
Theatre arts classes, workshops, troupe and camp opportunities, Technical and Adaptive 
Theatre programs, along with playwrights contests for aspiring artists. She made a request to 
the Board to inform her of any available space to accommodate the relocation of the Scene 
Shop and its associated storage. Ms. Olson concluded her presentation by addressing 
questions and responding to feedback from the Board.  
6. Hear and discuss a presentation from the Mesa Arts Center about its community and 
educational programs. 
Mr. Randy Vogel, Deputy Director of Arts and Culture at the Mesa Arts Center (MAC), 
presented an overview of the organization’s services and community impact to the Board. He 
highlighted MAC’s Engagement Programs, which provide arts opportunities for all ages and 
backgrounds, including dance and movement classes, Arts in Service for veterans and service 
members, and Creative Aging programs for older adults. Mr. Vogel also described MAC’s 
community outreach initiatives, such as Classical Music Inside Out, the Mobile Art-Based 
Engagement Lab (MABEL), Literacy Through Drama for younger audiences, and LIT Ink, all of 
which expand access to the arts and foster creativity, connection, and empathy throughout 
Mesa. Mr. Vogel concluded his presentation by addressing questions and responding to 
feedback from the Board. 
7. Scheduling of meetings, future agenda items, and general information.  
(9a)  Next HRAB meeting will be held on February 25, 2026 at 6pm in the Council Study 
Session Room at City Hall, 20 East Main Street, Mesa, AZ, 85201. 
8. Hear reports on conferences and/or meetings attended.  
Mr. Beck attended a fundraising event at Falcon Field Airport. 
Mr. Campos attended a networking event with the United Food Bank, an East Valley Hispanic 
Chamber of Commerce, and a Mesa Chamber of Commerce networking events. 
Mr. Ellsworth attended Merry Main Street and patronized the Neighborhood Comedy Theatre.  
Ms. Nonthe Sanchez attended Regional Unity Walk.

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Ms. Sandberg attended a few Grand Openings of small businesses around her community.  
Mr. White attended the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade, Regional Unity Walk, East Valley 
Veterans Day Parade, Christmas Day Veterans Support, and Merry Main Street.  
Ms. Williams-Cooper attended the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade, Regional Unity Walk, a 
neighborhood food drive, and a community sing-along and caroling event at Eastmark.  
9. Adjournment.  
      The meeting was adjourned at 7:11 p.m. 
 
Submitted By: 
 
 
 
Andrea Alicoate,  
Assistant to the City Manager