AMHERST — With a commitment to set aside $2 million over the next decade to a dedicated reparations fund, outreach is underway to Black/of African heritage residents and those who will benefit from initiatives offered by the town.
The African Heritage Reparation Assembly began its effort to get in touch with folks who may qualify for the program by having a booth at the Amherst Business Improvement District’s Block Party last week, where people could fill out surveys or take cards so they can participate online.
Michele Miller, who co-chairs the assembly, wrote in an email that the idea of the outreach is to let people know the historical reparative justice program is underway so some past harms can be addressed and healed.
The assembly is charged with studying and developing reparation proposals for the town that will further the goals of a resolution, adopted by the Town Council on Dec. 7, 2020, that affirms the town’s commitment to end structural racism and achieve racial equity for Black residents.
People can fill out inclusion forms through an online portal, which can be reached through a QR code or www.engageamherst.org/AHRA.
Miller said the outreach is also using the Black census conducted with the Donahue Institute at the University of Massachusetts, which has identified areas of town where most people of Black and African heritage live, and making sure every effort is made for all eligible individuals and families to participate.
