NAVIGATION
REBUILDING TRUST & PREVENTING CHRONIC DISEASE IN VERMONT’S COMMUNITIES OF COLOR
by Jeffrey Mbarushimana, DrPH(c), MHA, PMP, LSSMBB, ACHE
Vermont’s 3-4-50 initiative is a public health model designed to illustrate the link between lifestyle choices and chronic disease. The initiative is based on a simple but powerful concept: three behaviors – lack of physical activity, poor diet, and tobacco use – lead to four major chronic diseases – cancer, heart disease & stroke, type 2 diabetes, and lung disease – which together account for more than 50% of deaths in Vermont. According to the Vermont Department of Health, chronic diseases account for 86% of all healthcare costs and disproportionately impact communities of color. By addressing these three risk factors, we can significantly reduce the burden of chronic disease and improve health outcomes for all Vermonters. However, achieving this goal requires a targeted approach, particularly for Vermont’s Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities, who often face greater barriers to healthcare and wellness resources.
Rethinking Public Health Outreach
In Think Again, Adam Grant challenges us to rethink our approaches, to embrace adaptability, and to build trust through action. For too long, public health initiatives have struggled to connect with communities of color due to systemic barriers, historical mistrust, and policies that fail to address root causes. If we want to make 3-4-50 truly effective, we need to move beyond education and into genuine community engagement.
Rebuilding Trust in Public Health
1. Addressing Medical Mistrust
Many BIPOC communities have valid reasons to distrust healthcare institutions, stemming from historical injustices and ongoing disparities in care. According to the Vermont Department of Health, Black Vermonters are twice as likely to die from heart disease compared to their white counterparts. To rebuild trust, public health professionals must show up consistently, listen actively, and invest in long-term relationships with the communities we serve. Partnering with trusted community leaders, faith-based organizations, and BIPOC-owned businesses is critical.
2. Making Health Accessible & Culturally Relevant
Wellness looks different across cultures. Traditional dietary practices, community-based physical activities, and holistic approaches to health should be embraced, not erased in public health programming. Providing nutrition education that reflects cultural foods or organizing group fitness events that integrate traditional movement practices can help make healthy living more relatable and sustainable. The Vermont Department of Health reports that only 56% of Black adults in Vermont engage in regular physical activity, compared to 72% of white adults. Addressing these disparities requires community-driven solutions.
3. Strengthening Community Health Initiatives
Community health fairs have been lifelines for uninsured and underinsured Vermonters, offering free screenings, health education, and direct connections to resources. In Vermont, nearly 8% of Black and Hispanic residents lack health insurance, compared to 3% of white residents. Data from the Vermont Department of Health further reveals that BIPOC individuals are more likely to experience food insecurity, with 21% reporting limited access to healthy foods compared to 9% of white residents. Funding these initiatives—especially in BIPOC communities—must be a priority. Without sustainable investment, we risk deepening disparities rather than reducing them.
A Call to Action: Encouraging and Expanding the 3-4-50 Initiative
As public health professionals, we must continue advocating for initiatives that break systemic barriers to wellness. The 3-4-50 model is a great foundation, but it will only succeed if we ensure equal access to health education, culturally competent care, and community-driven solutions.
Would we accept an executive-level decision to cut funding for essential public health programs, knowing the impact on our communities? Or would we stand firm and advocate for policies that protect and uplift our people? In today’s uncertain climate, these are the decisions we must be prepared to make.
The fight for health equity is far from over. But by rethinking our strategies, rebuilding relationships, and advocating for meaningful change, we can create a healthier, more just Vermont—for all of us.
About the Author
Jeffrey Mbarushimana is a committed public health practitioner with a deep passion for health equity, community engagement, and chronic disease prevention. As both a public health professional and a member of the BIPOC community, he actively works to ensure healthcare solutions are accessible, culturally relevant, and tailored to the needs of diverse populations.
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
This month’s member spotlight is a feature on Jessica Brown (she/her)!
Jessica has been a resident of Vermont for 14 years and is based in Waterbury Center. A lawyer by profession, she currently serves as a volunteer on the Board of Directors for The Root Social Justice Center in Brattleboro, a BIPOC-led organization dedicated to racial justice and community empowerment.
The Root is actively seeking new volunteer Board Members! To learn more, visit therootsjc.org.
news FROM THE NETWORK
Introducing the VT PoCket Club: An Exclusive Facebook Group!
What’s a network without networking? We’re excited to announce the launch of our new Facebook group: The VT PoCket Club!
This space is designed exclusively for VT PoC members to connect, share, and support one another virtually, anytime and anywhere.
Don’t Forget to Take Advantage of VT PoC’s Resources!
Looking for new opportunities or ways to get involved?
We offer a variety of resources to support you—personally and professionally!
VT PoC is Looking for People to Spotlight for the 2025 Newsletter!
We’re on the lookout for BIPOC community members to spotlight in our newsletter this year! This is a great opportunity to share your truth, tell your story, and let us know what you do and why. Email outreach@vtpoc.net for more details!
The VT PoC 2024 Annual Report is Out!
2024 was a year of remarkable growth and connection for VT PoC, and we’re excited to share our work with you.
Find the full report at the link below.
VT PoC’s The Things in Between: Full Playlist
Explore key topics like life insurance, personal credit, financial planning, and business entity basics to gain valuable insights to support your financial journey.
VT PoC x VSBLC Legal Webinars: Past Recordings
Missed a webinar? Catch up with our past recordings and stay informed on key legal topics! Learn about starting a nonprofit, liabilities & torts, legal contracts, hiring your first employee, and more!
| Other Resources | |
|---|---|
| Apply by April 11: Vendors and Artists for Burlington’s Twilight Block Party | Runs for 9 sessions from June 7 through September 27. 4 of the sessions will feature themed markets, highlighting Juneteenth, Pride, Carnival, and Vintage. |
| Until April 15: Free Tax Preparation | Available in Chittenden, Addison, Franklin and Grand Isle Counties. |
| Apply by April 15: Conscious Homestead’s Flying Fish Gardening Collective | A free and paid opportunity to immerse in land stewardship, land-based learning, and community building. |
| Register by April 16: Chittenden County Regional Housing Convening on April 30 | Municipal planners, housing committees, community leaders, and more will discuss where we are and where we’d like to go as it relates to local housing. |
| Open through April: I Am Vermont Too Photo-Story Project Brattleboro Area Site Coordinator | Looking for a dedicated and community-driven individual to help organize the next powerful installment of I Am Vermont Too at the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center! |
| Applications Due May 1: Educator of Color Retreat | Hosted by the Vermont Educators of Color Association – A grassroots group working to build relationships and make change for educators of color in Vermont. |
| Apply by April 18: Juneteenth South Burlington 2025 Food & Tabling | Vendors will table and be able to sell their goods at no cost to them, but we cannot have vendors sell alcohol or any drinks at this time. Tabling / information vendors can apply by May 1. |
| Conscious Homestead’s BIPOC Resource Table | If you have a handful of promotional materials (business cards, flyers, brochures, stickers etc.), feel free to mail them our way! |
| Policy for The People: Legislative Updates in Five Languages | Free, ad free, and non partisan legislative updates in Swahili, Nepali, French, Spanish, and English. |
| Burlington Parks, Recreation & Waterfront: 2025 Summer Camps | For children and youth from Pre-K to 12th grade. Early sign-up is encouraged since many camps fill quickly. |
| Flickr Group for NEK Photographers | A group for Northeast Kingdom photography! |
EVENTS
April 7, 15, 21, 28 — VT PoC: NEK Business Office Hours
We’re hosting weekly Technical Assistance Office Hours for entrepreneurs and professionals in the NEK through April!
Whether you’re looking for guidance on your business, need expert advice, or have specific questions, this is the perfect opportunity to get the support you need. Join us each week to connect and grow your business with personalized assistance.
April 9 — VT PoC Community Catch Up: Virtual Dinner
You’re invited to a VT PoC Community Catch-Up on Zoom! Grab your favorite meal (homemade or takeout) and join us for a virtual dinner.
This is a casual, cozy space for connecting with fellow BIPOC community members and meeting new people. We hope to see you there!
April 15 — VT PoC Legal Webinar: Law Office Study Program
Interested in becoming a lawyer without going to law school? Join us for this webinar where we’ll explore how to get started with Vermont’s Law Office Study Program, find a mentor, design an effective course of study, and navigate the challenges of preparing for the bar exam without a traditional law school background.
April 18 — VT PoC x YMCA: Adult BIPOC Swim
This event is designed to create a supportive and inclusive space for the BIPOC community to learn or improve their swimming skills in a comfortable, non-judgmental environment.
Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your strokes, this lesson is for you!
April 19 — VT PoC x The Safety Team: Self Defense Workshop
Join VT PoC in collaboration with The Safety Team (TST) for an empowering self defense workshop! Rooted in community strength and safety, this self defense workshop offers the following:
- Community-Centered Approach: Creates a safe and affirming space for BIPOC community members to build confidence and resilience together.
- Trauma-Informed Instruction: Ensures that training is empowering, supportive, and accessible for all participants.
- Actionable Self-Defense Strategies: Provides practical tools that can be immediately implemented in everyday situations.
- Culturally Relevant Training: Acknowledges the unique challenges BIPOC individuals face regarding personal safety and systemic inequities.
April 25 — VT PoC Co-Work & Chill: Nomad Coffee
Join VT PoC for co-working sessions around the state! In honor of the late CJ, the owner of Nomad Coffee, we plan to gather to show our support and come together in a space that CJ helped cultivate.
While we are hoping to host it at Nomad, we’ve reached out to confirm with the staff. If we can’t meet there, we’ll update the morning of and host at Happy Place Cafe instead.
Limited refreshments fr the first 10 attendees!
May 15 — VT PoC Co-Work & Chill: Parkside Cafe
Join VT PoC for co-working sessions around the state—an informal space for chatting, co-working, etc. Come through and hang out with us at Parkside Cafe in Hinesburg.
Limited refreshments will be provided to the first 8 attendees!
May 19 — NEK BIPOC Meet & Greet
Join us for an informal VT PoC Meet & Greet at Downstreet Bar and Grill in St. Johnsbury!
This event is designed to bring together folks in the NEK for an evening of connection, conversation, and community. Learn how VT PoC can offer support and resources for both personal and professional growth, as well as business development. The event is free to attend, so bring along friends, family, and anyone who could benefit from this gathering!
Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), including professionals, business owners, entrepreneurs, as well as their non-identifying loved ones and allies from the NEK, are all welcome to join us for this event.
| Date | Event | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 7 | West African Dance & Drum Class | 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM | Middlebury |
| April 9 | Vermont Womenpreneurs: Biz Buzz Burlington ($$) | 9:45 AM – 11:30 AM | Burlington |
| April 9, 16 | Argentine Tango Classes ($$) | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM | Burlington |
| April 10 | CCV Winooski’s 22nd International Food Festival | 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM | Winooski |
| April 10 | VTIFF Presents: Nickel Boys (2024) ($$) | 4:00 PM | Burlington |
| April 12 | Spring Full Moon Forest Bathing: shinrin-yoku ($$) | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM | Shelburne |
| April 12, 19 | Vermont Teddy Bear: Snuggle into Spring Workshop ($$) | 10:00 AM, 2:00 PM | Shelburne |
| April 12 | Pass the Mic – Hip Hop Showcase ($$) | 8:00 PM | Burlington |
| April 13 | The Root Social Justice Center: Soul Food Sunday | 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM | Brattleboro |
| April 16 | Homebody’s April Massage Clinic ($$) | 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM | Burlington |
| April 18 | Richard Kemp Center: Game Night | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Burlington |
| April 19 | Kingdom Maple Festival | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM | St. Johnsbury |
| April 19 | Burlington Trolley Tours: Easter Egg Hunt ($$) | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Burlington |
| April 20 | UVM Wellness Environment 4/20 5K | 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM | Burlington |
| April 20 | The Root Social Justice Center: Dungeons & Dragons | 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM | Brattleboro |
| April 20 | Chinese Dance Performance | 10:00 PM – 10:30 PM | Middlebury |
| April 21 | Electrify Vermont Summit | 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Burlington |
| April 22 | Nonprofit Legislative Day 2025 | 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM | Montpelier |
| April 25, 26, 27 | Vintage Market Days | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM | Rutland |
| April 25, 26, 27 | Vermont Maple Festival | See Schedule | St. Albans |
| April 26 | Baby Farm Animal Celebration 2025 ($$) | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Woodstock |
| April 26, 27 | Vermont Sci-Fi, Fantasy & Horror Expo ($$) | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Essex Junction |
| May 3 | Vermont HomeBrew Festival ($$) | 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM | Bennington |
| May 29 | Zack Fox at Higher Ground ($$) | 9:00 PM | Burlington |
trainings & professional development
FUNDING & GRANTS
Thank you to everyone who applied for VT PoC’s Community Impact Grant!
Applications are closed—we hope to reopen this opportunity in the future. If you’d like to learn more or contribute, click the link below!
Save the Date: The Black Prosperity Initiative!
This initiative will provide 20 Black folks living in Vermont with a year-long stipend of $10,000 each ($800+/mo) via Direct Cash Transfer (DCT) to prevent housing insecurity and promote economic stability.
Applications will go live in April, with the first disbursements starting Juneteenth 2025 and running through Juneteenth 2026.
| Due Date | Grant | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 4/8 | Vermont Arts Council Creation Grant | For Vermont artists or artist groups creating new work. Established and emerging artists are encouraged. |
| 4/11 | Funding Opportunity for Substance Misuse Prevention | RPF inviting organizations to apply for funding for substance misuse prevention. |
| 4/15 | Concert Artists Fund | For organizations that present performances of classical music in Chittenden County. |
| 4/25 | The 2025 J.M.K. Innovation Prize | Open to individuals or teams representing nonprofit or mission-driven for-profit organizations. |
| 4/29 | Crosby-Gannett Fund | For organizations in Brattleboro that contribute to the betterment and vitality of the area. |
| 5/20 | Vermont Arts Council Arts Project Grants | For nonprofit organizations, municipalities, and schools in projects that provide equal and abundant access to the arts. |
| 5/5 | It Gets Better: Changemakers | Funding for LGBTQ+ youth projects. |
| Rolling | Vermont Equity & Justice Grant Program 2025 | Addresses needs that have arisen as a direct result of federal actions and policies. |
| Rolling | Nonprofit Enhanced Rebate | For eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits to purchase qualifying equipment or complete a custom project. |
| Rolling | Nonprofit Capacity Building | Supports consultant fees for nonprofit organizational capacity building work. |
| Rolling | Grassroots Fund: Grow Grants | For groups who have some experience implementing a project in their community. |
| Rolling | Vermont Humanities Rapid Response Grants | Quick turn-around small grants for humanities-focused community projects. Awards up to $1,000. |
| Rolling | Grassroots Fund: Seed Grants | Support for community groups who represent a broad range of voices in their community and who are not being reached by other funders. |
| Rolling | New England Presenter Travel Fund | Supports travel costs associated with researching artistic work that may eventually be presented in New England. |
| Rolling | Community Action Team | Offers general or project support within the broad guidelines and funding provided by the Ben & Jerry’s Foundation. |
| Rolling | USDA Small Business Cost Share Program | Businesses with fewer than 50 employees and gross profit under $1,000,000 are eligible. Grants can cover as much as 70% of the project cost with the business cost-share component at 30%. For more info, contact Annie McLean at amclean@nvda.net. |
| Rolling | Social Equity: Vermont Cannabis Control Board | Individuals that have been determined to meet social equity status by the Vermont Cannabis Control Board may be eligible to receive a beneficiary payment from this program. |
NEWS
Vermont’s Jason Chin helps kids understand the world through picture books
The South Burlington resident combines his passions for nature, science, and art in his informative books for children.
When does spring start? In Vermont, it depends.
The calendar marks the equinox as March 20. But locals know the arrivals of maple and mud seasons vary based on where you’re planted in the state.
Café Mamajuana Opens a Diner in Colchester
The new Colchester eatery from the owners of Burlington’s popular Café Mamajuana serves up Dominican fusion cuisine in cozy, family-friendly digs.
Theater Review: ‘Primary Trust,’ Vermont Stage
Vermont Stage produces the UVM alumna’s Pulitzer Prize-winning drama about a desolate man in need of small doses of compassion, starring Delanté Keys.
What’s Cooking at Vermont’s New South-of-the-Border Restaurants
Recent additions to the Mexican dining scene serve a range of dishes from Oaxacan mole to Tex-Mex burritos to Southern Californian-style tacos.
