diversity

Lily Murad, Road Scholar tour leader, summarizes the benefits of visiting the Rokeby Museum. Rokeby is a nationally significant Underground Railroad Historic site tucked inside a quintessential Vermont experience.

The museum focuses on fugitives from slavery who found shelter here in the 1830s, introduces the abolitionist Robinson family who called Rokeby home, and explores the turbulent decades leading up to the Civil War. The historic house — fully furnished with 200 years of domestic belongings — provides an intimate glimpse into the family’s life through four generations. Once a thriving Merino sheep farm, Rokeby retains nine historic farm buildings filled with agricultural artifacts. Acres of pastoral landscape dotted with old wells, stone walls, and historic orchards invite a leisurely stroll or a hike up the trail. Picnic tables accommodate lunch outdoors.

For more information about the museum visit rokeby.org

Abigail Diehl-Noble, faculty member at the Lake Champlain Waldorf School, discusses why the Rokeby Museum is an ideal learning environment for her 5th grade students. The Rokeby Museum is a nationally significant Underground Railroad Historic site tucked inside a quintessential Vermont experience.

The museum focuses on fugitives from slavery who found shelter here in the 1830s, introduces the abolitionist Robinson family who called Rokeby home, and explores the turbulent decades leading up to the Civil War. The historic house — fully furnished with 200 years of domestic belongings — provides an intimate glimpse into the family’s life through four generations. Once a thriving Merino sheep farm, Rokeby retains nine historic farm buildings filled with agricultural artifacts. Acres of pastoral landscape dotted with old wells, stone walls, and historic orchards invite a leisurely stroll or a hike up the trail. Picnic tables accommodate lunch outdoors.

For more information about the museum visit rokeby.org

Short video highlighting the Rokeby Museum -- a nationally significant Underground Railroad Historic site tucked inside a quintessential Vermont experience.

The museum focuses on fugitives from slavery who found shelter here in the 1830s, introduces the abolitionist Robinson family who called Rokeby home, and explores the turbulent decades leading up to the Civil War. The historic house — fully furnished with 200 years of domestic belongings — provides an intimate glimpse into the family’s life through four generations. Once a thriving Merino sheep farm, Rokeby retains nine historic farm buildings filled with agricultural artifacts. Acres of pastoral landscape dotted with old wells, stone walls, and historic orchards invite a leisurely stroll or a hike up the trail. Picnic tables accommodate lunch outdoors.

For more information about the museum visit rokeby.org

Last week the Governor announced the appointment of the first “Racial Equity Executive Director” in Vermont history. This long awaited appointment is the latest step in the implementation of Act 9 (2018), a bill that created a panel and this Executive Director “to identify and work to eradicate systemic racism within State government.” On a sprint to grow the economy, it has become increasingly clear that if the economy of Vermont is to grow, so too must the racial demographic shift to reflect our nation. But getting black and brown folks to Vermont is only half the issue. How do we create an environment in which they will want to stay?

With a greater Burlington population of nearly half of the state, as goes Burlington, so goes Vermont. What is Burlington doing to accept this challenge? Are similar strategies in play to reflect what is happening at a statewide level? How are the diversity, equity and inclusion strategies in Burlington addressing this challenge? All eyes are on Burlington as the stakes are raised on the future of Vermont. 

Host Mark Hughes chats with Henri Sparks, Director of Equity and Safe Inclusive Schools with the Burlington School District, to find out where we are on one of the biggest challenges facing the state, diversity, equity and inclusion.