By Kolby LaMarche

Burlington’s Charter Change Committee is tonight reviewing a proposal that would formally enshrine the Office of Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (REIB) in the city’s charter. 

The proposed language, passed unanimously by Democrat and Progressive councilors at a March meeting, would establish the REIB and a permanent Director of Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging, appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council. 

The director, currently Interim Director Christina Berry, will oversee the office and develop a comprehensive equity strategy with the Mayor. The REIB’s duties, according to the proposal, include advancing diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism; coordinating equity strategies across city departments; recommending policy changes; enhancing representation for underserved communities in decision-making; and facilitating inclusive resident engagement.

Burlington’s racial equity efforts began with the 2000 Legacy Action Plan, which addressed economic, environmental, social, and cultural goals, being updated in 2010 to include systemic barriers. A 2011 Unity Retreat, led by then-Social Equity Director Wanda Hines, convened over 50 stakeholders to identify “structural issues”. 

In 2012, the City Council established a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee. In 2014, a strategic plan from the Vermont Partnership for Fairness and Diversity was adopted to embed equity into city operations.

In 2019, Burlington established the Office of Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (REIB) as a dedicated department to centralize efforts addressing racial and social disparities in city governance.

Tyeastia Green, appointed in 2020 as Burlington’s first Director of Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging, led initiatives to embed equity in city policies, budgets, training, and engagement. She managed a 2021 police assessment, facing challenges when former Mayor Weinberger and Police Chief Murad altered the process and report, limiting her input. Green proposed controlling a Juneteenth event, but the city reassigned it. She resigned in March 2022 after Weinberger declined to reappoint her. 

In 2024, Green demanded $7.5 million, alleging racial discrimination and defamation by the city. Burlington rejected the claims, offering a restorative process.

The proposed charter change would continue to integrate equity into city policies, programs, services, and hiring practices. It would secure resources for sustained program development for underrepresented groups and foster public trust by amplifying community voices, the city says. Regular training and data-driven assessments would support equitable decision-making.

For fiscal year 2023, the REIB was allocated $1.8 million, exceeding Vermont’s own state racial equity office budget and establishing it as the state’s largest municipal equity program. This covered staff salaries, equity training, policy development, and community initiatives. The REIB’s Empowerment Fund received $190,000 in FY23 to support grants for BIPOC-led projects. In FY24, federal ARPA funds provided $800,000 to REIB for equity initiatives.

The Charter Change Committee, chaired by Democrat Councilor Becca McKnight, is reviewing the proposal, with input from the City Attorney’s Office.