BIPOC

Families can head to Burlington, Rutland and White River Junction for reindeer games, hot chocolate, sweet treats, music and pictures with Black Santa.

"On the surface it looks like we're just giving away free veggies," said Nour El-Naboulsi. "But we are bringing our community members into a solidarity fold."

Local entrepreneur Harmony Edosomwan is taking part in a 10-week program through New York University intended to lift up Black business owners. Her catering business, Harmony's Kitchen, serves authentic soul food from its Winooski hub.

The elder Lydia Clemmons was one of the original owners of Clemmons Family Farm, an icon of African American cultural heritage in Charlotte, Vermont. She died at the age of 101.

After being swept away during July 2023 flooding, the yurt was relocated to North Branch Nature Center and will be used as a space for people of color to gather in nature.

Funded by a $250,000 grant from the Vermont Department of Health, the Charlotte nonprofit Clemmons Family Farm checks in on the well-being of Black artists and asks what support they could use. The idea is that artists need to be well themselves before they can then promote community wellness.

Abenaki and other Indigenous perspectives took center stage in the nation’s capital last weekend when the Julia Keefe Indigenous Big Band headlined the Mary Lou Williams Jazz Festival at the Kennedy Center.

Two young citizens of Odanak First Nation described what they call Indigenous identity theft, particularly in Vermont, at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. The Abenaki Councils of Odanak and W8linak bought a billboard in Times Square to highlight the topic.

The Vermont Language Justice Project’s funding is an open question. But according to testimonials from people working in Vermont’s health, refugee resettlement and equity organizations, the project’s services are vital — and there would be a void without them.

"I was in perfect … synchronization with the sun and the moon. And it feels so good, right?" Julio Desmont said. "I’m so happy. The eclipse is something else."