Inviting you to the Racial Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Committee meeting

Hi everyone,

This is Laura Sánchez-Parkinson, your City Councilor for Ward 3, representing parts of the Old North End and Downtown.

Earlier this year I was appointed Chair of the Burlington City Council’s Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (REIB) Committee, the Council’s newest standing committee.

As I stepped into this role, one of my goals was to work together in refining the committee’s purpose, responsibilities, and relationship with the City’s broader equity efforts. The committee (including Councilors Sarah Carpenter and Melo Grant) worked together to refine a shared purpose statement and establish meeting agreements that guide how committee members and community members engage in thoughtful and productive discussion.

Like several other City Council committees, the REIB Committee works in partnership with a City department, in this case, the City’s REIB Office. This year also marked an important milestone as the REIB Office became a Charter-established office. While the Office and the Committee have distinct roles, they share a common goal: advancing equitable policies and practices across Burlington. Clarifying these complementary roles helps strengthen collaboration, improve transparency, and provide a clearer understanding of how this work moves forward.

YOU’RE INVITED TO JOIN US!

If you’re interested in engaging in conversations about equity, belonging, and the challenges and opportunities facing our community, I hope you’ll consider attending a REIB Committee meeting. Whether you come to listen, share your perspective, or simply learn more, your participation is welcome.

The committee meets on the third Tuesday of every month in the Sharon Bushor Conference Room at City Hall. Light refreshments are provided, and a Zoom option is available for those who prefer to participate remotely. Meeting agendas and Zoom links are posted each month on CivicClerk:

https://burlingtonvt.portal.civicclerk.com/?category_id=54

This month’s meeting (July 21st) will feature guest speaker Erin Jacobsen from the Vermont Asylum Assistance Project (VAAP). She will provide an overview of immigration-related legislation considered during the recent Vermont State legislative session, discuss which bills were enacted, and explore what these new state laws and policy changes may mean for Burlington as implementation begins.

As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out with questions, ideas, or concerns.

A final note: Main Street construction is complete! Celebrate at the Main Street Block Party on Friday, July 17, and Saturday, July 18. It’s a great opportunity to bring vibrancy to downtown, support local businesses, and connect with neighbors.

Laura Sánchez-Parkinson

Email: lsanchezparkinson@burlingtonvt.gov

IG @lauraforburlington