AMHERST — With almost $600,000 in the town’s Reparations Stabilization Fund, town officials are preparing to name residents to the Amherst Black Reparations Committee that will guide how money is disbursed to confront harms caused by support in town for slavery and post-reconstruction discrimination.
The seven-member committee has a mission to make recommendations to the Town Council on priority areas for spending from the fund, likely drawing from the contents of the African Heritage Reparation Assembly’s final report from 2023.
Michele Miller, a former member of the assembly who also served on the Town Council, said in a statement that reparations is a practice of listening, repair and truth-telling.
“The Amherst Black Reparations Committee represents an historic opportunity for Amherst to not only acknowledge past harms, but to shape a future grounded in justice,” Miller said. “With this call to serve, we hope to engage residents with lived experience and commitment to equity who are ready to help turn reparative vision into tangible action.”
Town Manager Paul Bockelman will appoint the members, who have experience in affordable housing, climate action, economic development or entrepreneurship, recreation, youth empowerment, human rights and possibly prior membership on the African Heritage Reparation Assembly.
“Establishing this committee represents a significant step toward addressing historical injustices and fostering equity within our community,” Bockelman said.
So far, the annual contribution to the fund has been equal to the amount of annual cannabis tax collections, bringing it to $585,484.25, as of March 31. Continued contributions to the fund is will be provided so long as the town is in good financial condition.
In 2021, Amherst became one of the first communities in the nation to formally commit to reparations for Black residents, understanding that government, residents, businesses and institutions were part of ongoing racism and discrimination, such as deeds that restricted who could buy homes in some neighborhoods.
Within one year of its convening, the new committee will submit a report to the Town Council outlining recommendations for priority areas, propose funding distribution processes and outreach efforts, and advise on any revisions to the committee’s charge.
For more informationgo to www.amherstma.gov/3865/Amherst-Black-Reparations-Committee. Interested residents are encouraged to submit a Community Activity Form at amherstma.gov/CAF, with a review of applications to begin Sept. 2.