Abolishing Slavery 

Vermont House Government Operations is taking testimony on Proposal 2 (PR.2), a Constitutional Amendment prohibiting slavery and indentured servitude.  Constitutionally abolishing slavery and indentured servitude in Vermont rejects the exception clause in the 13^th amendment of the US Constitution.  This proposal is at the foundation of eradicating systemic racism. Despite numerous revisions, the Vermont Constitution has never completely prohibited slavery.

As Vermont pushes back on federal encroachments on reproductive rights, immigration and cannabis, we must say no to slavery! Demand with us that PR.2 be moved to Public Hearing and voted out of the House!

Send an email to the House Government Operations Committee and ask them to take action:  [email protected]

Economic Inequalities Caused by Systemic Racism

A product of slavery, systemic racism maintains economic inequality along racial lines. Nearly a quarter of Black Vermonters live in poverty and the median wealth of a black family is at 1/13th (and widening) of that of a white family.

H.406 was referred to the House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development for action. The bill offers practical and immediate solutions to addressing some of the economic inequities caused by systemic racism. We must take action in addressing economic inequity caused by systemic racism. The current budget surplus affords us an unprecedented opportunity to do so.

Send an email to members of the House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development and ask them to take testimony on the bill and pass it out of committee!

• Rep. Michael Marcotte, Chair
• Rep. Charles Kimbell, Vice Chair
• Rep. Stephanie Jerome, Ranking Member
• Rep. Eileen Dickinson
• Rep. Warren F. Kitzmiller
• Rep. Paul Martin
• Rep. Emma Mulvaney-Stanak
• Rep. Logan Nicoll
• Rep. Michael Nigro
• Rep. Patrick Seymour
• Rep. Kirk White, Clerk
• Camille Brochu, Committee Assistant
  [email protected]

Please also reach out to legislative leadership and ask them to support the work of abolishing slavery and addressing the economic inequalities caused by systemic racism:

Senate President Pro Temp Sen Becca Ballint, [email protected]
Speaker of the House, Rep Jilll Krowinski, [email protected]

Last year the legislature committed to doing the “sustained and deep work of eradicating systemic racism throughout the State, actively fighting racist practices, and participating in the creation of more just and equitable systems…” in Act R-113.  We’re asking them to keep their commitments to this sustained and deep work.  Far too often have our nation’s hopes of true liberty and justice landed hollow as aspirational rhetoric. This is a defining moment where silence speaks loudly. Please follow through on the call to action to help us eradicate systemic racism and make Vermont better for everyone.

Join us Thursday, January 13th, at 6:00 PM where we will provide additional context on Vermont’s connection to our national legacy of slavery and our struggle to dismantle systemic racism. We’ll also have an update on PR.2.   Register NOW HERE.  

More on abolishing slavery in Vermont 

Become a Legacy Maker 

We know that the Black and Brown people languish with higher rates of poverty, lower incomes and dramatically lower median wealth.  The data also tells us that Black and Brown communities are consistently underserved in the areas of housing, education, health services and even the justice system. As we continue to urge policy makers to address systemic racism, we’re taking action in our own community.

Our vision includes a community partnership that includes a Community Center, a Youth Activity Center and Centers of Excellence for Art and Science.  Priorities will include wellness, youth, cultural empowerment and economic development.  Our vision for programming includes Wellness Support, Adult Basic Education, Basic Computer Skills Training, People and Workforce Development, Financial, Home and Land Ownership Education, Entrepreneurial Cultivation Programs, Technical Assistance, Grant Assistance and Youth Programming (including mentoring and tutoring, STEM Development, Arts and Sports). 

Located central to those it serves, the Richard Kemp Center will serve as a bastion of hope, purpose and vision for the Black community.  Though COVID concerns continue to delay the launch, planning continues on the full rollout of the Richard Kemp Center, located at 372 N Winooski Ave, in Burlington. 

We need your your sustained support to make this happen.  Become a legacy maker with your sustained support. 
 Push the change button to give today!
Thanks!Please Make Checks Payable to:
The Richard Kemp Center
70 S Winooski Ave, Unit 204
Burlington, VT 05401

Here is the uncut first run of one of our newest outreach and education sessions, Definition of Systemic Racism.