NAVIGATION
FINDING YOUR VILLAGE
by Susan Yao
When I was considering a move to Vermont three years ago, I did an internet search for “Vermont people of color” just to see what would pop up.
Lo and behold, the first result was VT PoC, which led me to a directory of BIPOC-owned businesses. I was both grateful and tickled to find this. “Is Vermont so white that it’s possible to make a map of all the people of color in the entire state?” I wondered.
Since moving here, I have learned that yes, Vermont is majority white, like many parts of the country. However, it is very progressive, people of color are well-organized here, and there are many friendly folx who want to connect. I’ve been able to find my village, and it is my sincerest wish that everyone else can find their village too.
Over the last two years, I’ve been building the Vermont Village School with my teammate, Cristina Shayonye. Our mission is to reimagine school as a liberatory space for people of color of all ages. More than that, our goal is to create an interdependent village of people who gather to meet each other’s and the community’s needs in Southern Vermont.
Follow the Ancestors
I’m a big believer in following signs from the ancestors, and they definitely led us to Vermont. As a middle school principal, I had heard of the Putney School, so I decided to explore the town. At the Putney Coop, we found a bulletin board with a handmade flyer advertising cheap land in the area. As we contemplated this big decision, we stumbled upon the Hungry Diner, an amazing farm-to-table restaurant, and met a family of color that encouraged us to move here.
Similarly, the ancestors introduced me to my teammate, Cristina. We met at a family event at SUSU CommUNITY Farm, an Afro-Indigenous stewarded farm in Newfane. It turned out we had both dreamed about starting a school and were ready to make it happen.
Are there people or spaces calling you? Maybe they’re affinity groups like VT PoC or Liberation Ecosystem. Maybe they’re neighbors you run into. Maybe they’re community spaces that attract like-minded people.
Find the Weavers
In Deepa Iyer’s Social Change Ecosystem, she outlines ten roles people can have within movements. One of them is the Weaver: someone who “sees the through-lines of connectivity between people, places, organizations, ideas, and movements.” They are immersed in the community and create the networks that connect us to each other.
If you ever stop by Bellows Falls, you’ll meet a librarian who’s a Weaver. She’ll connect you to local people, events, and the resources that you’re looking for. GROW Vermont is an institutional Weaver, connecting newcomers to volunteers. At its best, social media can also be a Weaver, connecting people to each other.
You may find Weavers active in the local community or attending public events. They may start as friendly strangers who genuinely want to get to know you. As an introvert, sometimes I just have to let them find me. Any of us can be Weavers when we see someone who needs something.
Gather
Even when you’ve identified people who can be in your village, it’s the gatherings that make our relationships stronger. There are community events happening throughout the year. There’s one person I keep running into at the coop, and each hello brings us a little more into each other’s village. After some time, you may develop solid relationships and get regularly invited to things (if that’s what you want). For parenting adults, the birthday party circuit is a common way to connect.
Do you enjoy hosting? People are hungry for connection, especially during the long and cold Vermont winters. It could be potlucks at your home or a different type of gathering that better matches your energy. 69a Elliot is a new community space in Brattleboro that’s looking for people to take turns stewarding and offering activities. This spring, Vermont Village School is hosting a People’s Civics class at the library that’s open to all ages.
Doing a favor for a neighbor is a kind of informal gathering, too. One time, we needed to borrow fridge space and ended up chatting for a long time with the friends who helped us out. I gave an acquaintance a ride after their car got towed. Meeting someone’s needs is one of the most meaningful ways to build a relationship.
Answer and extend invitations. You never know who’s going to show up.
Stay Open
I used to live in New York City, surrounded by millions of people. Other city folx know that these dense, crowded places can be very lonely too. What I’ve realized about rural living is that you have more control over when and how you see people, and that Vermont is a state full of people who are excited to gather when they’re not doing their own thing in the woods.
You never know how you’ll get connected to other people–I met a BIPOC homeschooler in New York State through a Facebook group, who then told me about someone they follow on social media, who eventually became a part of my village.
I hope that we can all find our village and ways to get our needs met. If you’re in Southern Vermont or want to start a village where you are, reach out! I’d love to connect.
About the Author
Susan Yao (she/hers) is a radical educator, builder, and experimenter based in Bellows Falls. She founded the Vermont Village School, which reimagines school as a liberatory space for people of color of all ages. She works in education in order to build the next world with children. She is also an active member of Liberation Ecosystem and the Education Justice Coalition. She lives on a DIY homestead with her husband and two children.
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
This month’s member spotlight is a feature on Z Liberacion (they/he)!
Z has been a resident of N’dakinna (Vermont) for 1 year and is based in Addison County. They operate in the agriculture sector as the co-steward of Abolition in Action Farms, an organic, no-till, Black-led farm and care space.
news FROM THE NETWORK
Join 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!
We created this group after hearing from members who wanted more ways to connect with one another. Since Facebook is a common platform for many, we thought it’d be a great space to build community, share resources, and support each other.
Our hope is to continue growing this group and bring in as many VT PoC members as possible!
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’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 | |
|---|---|
| Opt-In BIPOC Wedding Vendors List | A local wedding officiant is building a directory of BIPOC businesses to share with couples seeking services from BIPOC for their special day. If you’d like your services to be included, reach out to carmengeorgevt@gmail.com to opt in! |
| Maple Mountain Homestead Share | In today’s uncertain times of pandemics, supply chain disruptions, food shortages and inflation, growing your own food and/or knowing your local farmer has never been more essential. We are looking to fill 5-10 homestead shares for the 2025 season. |
| Homeshare Vermont: A More Affordable Way to Live | Homeshare Vermont offers an affordable way of living by connecting people through thoughtful, affordable homesharing matches based on lifestyle, interests, and needs. Check out their website and see if it interests you! |
| Applications Open Now: Salisbury Square Village Homeownership | Salisbury Square Village is a new, permanently affordable housing community developed by the Randolph Area Community Development Corporation. Located mere moments from Randolph’s historic downtown, Salisbury Square Village offers residents comfort, convenience, and climate resilience in a close-knit village setting. |
EVENTS
Let’s Talk: RSVPs, Attendance & Sustainability
VT PoC is proud to host events that bring our community together, and that’s something we’re committed to. But lately, we’ve noticed a gap: while our events often sell out quickly, actual attendance rates are much lower than the number of RSVPs.
This impacts more than just headcounts. It affects how we spend our limited budget, how we plan future programming, and how we make space for those who are waiting to participate. We want to be intentional about where our dollars go, especially now, when funding is precarious and every cent counts.
As a first step, we’re going to start adding small registration fees to some events. You might see sliding scale costs, flat rates, or events that remain completely free. Our upcoming Ride & Thrive with Color the Valley on May 24 will be the first event where we pilot this change. This helps ensure that RSVPs reflect true intent to attend, and supports the real costs behind making these gatherings possible.
We know life happens, plans change—and that’s okay! All we ask is:
- RSVP if you’re sure you can make it.
- Cancel as soon as you know you can’t.
We appreciate your continued support as we grow and evolve. Together, we can keep building intentional, vibrant spaces for our community to connect and thrive.
Thank you! We love y’all!
XOXO,
— Raheemah, Krystal, Jasmine, Mimi
Your VT PoC Event Team
Ongoing — VT PoC Virtual Office Hours Series: Business Support Drop Ins
Looking for help with your business? VT PoC is hosting virtual office hours throughout the summer months. These informal sessions are open to BIPOC professionals who could use technical assistance, business support, or just someone to bounce ideas off of.
Schedule:
- NEK Business Owners (In Person) – June 3, June 9
- General Drop Ins – June 6, June 27, July 11, July 18, July 25
- Black Owned Businesses, Entrepreneurs, Side Hustles – June 20
Drop in any time during the hour, no registration or appointment needed!
August 10 — 5th Annual August Kickback!
Mark your calendars for Sunday, August 10th, from 12 PM to 4 PM! Prepare for a lively atmosphere filled with captivating music to move your feet, delicious food to tantalize your taste buds, and engaging activities designed to bring smiles to faces of all ages. Location details will be shared with confirmed RSVPs.
In the spirit of fostering “Strength In CommUNITY,” the Kickback will also feature valuable information on a variety of community resources directly relevant to our theme. Discover local organizations and initiatives dedicated to supporting and uplifting BIPOC individuals and families across Vermont.
trainings & professional development
| Date | Workshop | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 4 | 2025 Vermont Womenpreneurs Summit | 5:00 PM – 8:45 PM | Bolton |
| June 5 | Job Fair @ Job Corps | 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Vergennes |
| June 17 | 2025 UVM RISE Summit | 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM | Burlington |
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!
| Due Date | Grant | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 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
With a home-cooked banquet, Abenaki citizens taste traditional foods and preserve culture
The banquet, called Wlipogwat, offered a taste of animals and plants harvested on Abenaki territory. It’s part of ongoing efforts by Odanak and Wôlinak First Nations to protect their knowledge, culture and homelands.
Pick Thai Opens in Former Nagueños Spot in Essex Junction
It’s the first restaurant for chef-owner Chalermsak Chanachai, who serves a variety of Thai street food dishes and ones from his native northeast Thailand.
Queer Film Fest kicks off Pride Month in central Vermont
Festivals, shows and parties celebrating LGBTQ+ Vermonters are happening from Springfield to Newport this June.
Nomads Restaurant to Bring Arabic Food to Burlington
Mahati Mohamed and his business partners will offer a menu that represents their Egyptian, Iraqi and Moroccan heritages as well as some American favorites.
Five ways to prepare yourself for future floods
State and local organizers share advice on how to get yourself ready in the event of another summer flood.
