The Root Social Justice Center

Call Directions Website Contact the organization

The Root Social Justice Center The Root SJC is a BIPOC led organization centering Blackness through community building in Vermont. Visit www.therootsjc.org for more information. Donate online!

The Root Social Justice Center provides a physically and financially accessible space in Southern VT for social justice groups to meet AND is a hub for racial justice organizing. The Root prioritizes Black Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) leadership and shifting resources to BIPOC-led racial justice work. We operate collectively to sustain a space that strives to be free of oppression, harm, and injustice. In 2017, The Root Collective transitioned to focus on BIPOC-led racial justice organizing. The organizing collective is supported by an all-BIPOC advisory board that works to support The Root’s Vision and provide more leadership opportunities for people of color in our community. ROOT PROGRAMS
The Root hosts a variety of programming that is all volunteer-run. To find out more about our programs or to get involved, contact us! Soul Food Sundays
Open to: All self-identified BIPOC
Hours: 2nd Sunday of every month, from 1-4pm
Youth 4 Change
​ Open to: Youth of all identities between the ages of 12-22. Hours: 1st and 3rd Monday of every month from 5:30-7:30
(some holidays excluded)
To get involved contact: [email protected]

I Am VT, Too
​ Open to: All self-identified BIPOC in Vermont
To get involved or to share your story, please contact
[email protected]
Social Justice Forums
​ Open to: All. Hours: Several times a year. DONATE TO THE ROOT! Interested in tax-deductible donations to The Root?** Check out three easy ways to donate: http://www.therootsjc.org/donate.html.
1. Mail us a check!
2. Drop of a check or cash at The Root!
3.

10/17/2026

🎲 HIP Hangout Game Night – Cancelled

Unfortunately, tonight’s HIP Hangout Game Night has been cancelled.

But don’t put those games away just yet! 🎉 We’ll be rescheduling and announcing a new date soon.

Thank you for your understanding! We look forward to gathering, playing, laughing, and spending time in community with you all.

Stay tuned for updates from The Root Social Justice Center! ❤️

Hi Friends. Has the criminal justice system impacted you or someone you know?Has Department of Children and Families (D...
10/08/2026

Hi Friends. Has the criminal justice system impacted you or someone you know?
Has Department of Children and Families (DCF) been involved in your family or someone you know?
Over the past 8 years I have served on Racial Disparities in the Criminal and Juvenile Justice System Advisory Panel working to address racial disparities and create systemic change.
This panel consists of folks within those departments, judges, legislators, state folks, attorneys, and community members like us. I serve as a Black community member with lived experience.
Recently, we developed subcommittees and I'm on community engagement. My/our goal is to get the awareness out that this panel exist, make sure people know what we do, and create space for community members to engage with us and the work.
These meeting are already PUBLIC and RECORDED and can be found in the comments below. The meetings are virtual so you can join from your home and have your camera off. You are not expected to participate, however there is space for public comment that you may use. In addition, our new subcommittee is working on how we can provide more awareness, access and involvement from our communities.
If you're curious come check us out. All information can be found on the state website or go to The Root Social Justice Center website and public calendar for the link, description and upcoming agenda.
We still out here doing it!!!

The Root Social Justice Centers youth program; Youth 4 Change (Y4C) is hosting another Teen Dance! This time, Halloween ...
10/08/2026

The Root Social Justice Centers youth program; Youth 4 Change (Y4C) is hosting another Teen Dance! This time, Halloween Edition!

Youth of all identities ages 14-18 are invited to our Halloween Teen Dance on Saturday, October 24th from 7-10 pm at The Root Social Justice Center!

Come out and enjoy our free teen centered space with uncensored music by DJ Blinie ( on instagram), face painting by Betunga Mufuame, a costume competition, free food and tons of dancing!

Dress up for a chance to win a prize! Winners will be decided by the crowd! (of course, dressing up is optional 😌)

We are asking for donations from $1-10 but NOBODY will be turned away for lack of funds. We love to host events free of charge and we strive to be a free and equitable space so donations are not required, just greatly appreciated.

Help us out by reposting and sharing!

**Active Y4C members that do not fit this age range are still allowed to attend and bring close trusted friends and family between ages 12-22.**

👥 Ages 14 – 18
🗓️ Saturday 10/24
🕖 7 – 10pm
📍 The Root Social Justice Center (28 Williams St, Brattleboro VT 05301)
♿️ The Root is wheelchair accessible!!

🪮 The monthly BIPOC Hair Shop continues at The Root! 📅 Saturday, October 31 from 9am–8p📍 The Root: 28 Williams Street, B...
10/07/2026

🪮 The monthly BIPOC Hair Shop continues at The Root!

📅 Saturday, October 31 from 9am–8p
📍 The Root: 28 Williams Street, Brattleboro

👉🏾 Folks looking to book a stylist:
Stylists are taking clients — at The Root or wherever works best for you and the stylist!

To find contact info and schedule directly:
📲 go to tinyurl.com/roothairstylists

‼️ Please note: This is not a free service — prices are set by each individual stylist.

DISCLAIMER: The Root Social Justice Center is not involved in transactions between clients and stylists. We do not set prices, schedule appointments, or guarantee the timeliness, quality, or outcomes of the services provided. All pricing, scheduling, and service agreements are arranged directly between the client and stylist. While we encourage positive relationships and are happy to provide general support, The Root is not responsible for any issues related to services, appointments, or payments.

✂️ Stylists + Barbers:
We’re always looking for hairstylists and barbers specialized in styling and caring for textured hair to join our network! You’re also welcome to use The Root’s space on Hair Shop days — a professional, welcoming spot with some supplies and tools available on-site for your use.

Come be part of this growing community of BIPOC-centered care and connection.

📩 Questions or want to join us? Email [email protected]

What solidarity asks of us.Solidarity is a core value of The Root. We understand that the oppressions our communities na...
10/07/2026

What solidarity asks of us.

Solidarity is a core value of The Root. We understand that the oppressions our communities navigate are interconnected and that our liberation is interconnected too. Collective liberation requires collective work. It asks us to show up for one another, to recognize our shared struggles while honoring our unique needs, and to understand that how we stand alongside one another matters.

These commitments inform our observance of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, when The Root will be closed on Monday, October 12. We recognize the ongoing impacts of colonization and stand in solidarity with Indigenous communities continuing to resist displacement and erasure and working to protect their sovereignty, lands, cultures, and ways of life.

And—our commitment to racial justice and collective liberation calls us to move beyond acknowledgment and recognition. As a team, we have been reflecting on what true solidarity with Indigenous communities asks of us and being honest with ourselves that there is so much more we can and should be doing. We haven’t figured it all out, but we take that responsibility very seriously. We are committed to continuing this conversation and deepening our understanding of what it means for The Root to show up in the work of solidarity with Indigenous communities—and we invite our community to join us in this work.

The Youth 4 Change meeting tonight is canceled! Unfortunately both our program coordinators are sick and are unable to h...
10/05/2026

The Youth 4 Change meeting tonight is canceled!
Unfortunately both our program coordinators are sick and are unable to host tonight's meeting. We're taking some time to rest and recover and will hopefully see you all at our next meeting on Monday the 19th!

A heartfelt thank-you to the Buddy Walk organizers, volunteers, and families for welcoming The Root Social Justice Cente...
10/03/2026

A heartfelt thank-you to the Buddy Walk organizers, volunteers, and families for welcoming The Root Social Justice Center and our program, SYNC! 💛 We were grateful to join you for a day of connection, celebration, and community.

SYNC (Supporting Young Neurodiverse Children & Caregivers) supports neurodivergent children and their caregivers through playgroups, caregiver meet-ups, educational workshops, parent advocacy, and respite support. Our work is rooted in a simple belief: children deserve to be celebrated exactly as they are, and caregivers deserve support, understanding, and people they can lean on.

We welcome families of all backgrounds and invite the wider community to connect with us! Whether you’re a parent looking for connection, an educator seeking resources, an organization interested in collaborating, or a neighbor who wants to get involved, we’d love to hear from you. Building a community where neurodivergent children and their families can thrive takes all of us.

Let’s keep these connections growing beyond the walk! Reach out at [email protected] to learn more about our programs and ways to get involved. 💛

Join the Ready Response Team (RRT) and help us support, protect, and defend members of our community most impacted by sy...
10/02/2026

Join the Ready Response Team (RRT) and help us support, protect, and defend members of our community most impacted by systemic inequities.

RRT brings community members together to respond during moments of need while building stronger networks of care, solidarity, and collective action.

Our next gathering will take place on Wednesday, October 14 at The Root!

For more info contact [email protected]

BIPOC Writers Group meeting virtually Thursday October 15th 5:30PM–7:30P!Virtual link: tinyurl.com/rootwriters*Virtual s...
10/02/2026

BIPOC Writers Group meeting virtually Thursday October 15th 5:30PM–7:30P!

Virtual link: tinyurl.com/rootwriters

*Virtual sessions are open to BIPOC writers from anywhere in the world you are joining us from!

The BIPOC Writers Group is a creative space for BIPOC writing enthusiasts to share, develop, and celebrate their work. This group meets regularly to encourage storytelling, foster artistic growth, and amplify BIPOC voices within the community. By nurturing literary talent and promoting diverse narratives, the BIPOC Writers Group contributes to a vibrant cultural tapestry that reflects the experiences and perspectives of BIPOC individuals. Our virtual sessions are open to folks from anywhere in the world you join us from! Join us!

The BIPOC Writers group meets in-person on the 1st Thursday of the month at The Root and virtually on the 3rd Thursday of the month from 5:30p-7:30pm. For more information contact: [email protected]

Peer Support Group Meets virtually Sunday October 18th 6:30pm–8pmFamilies United hosts a monthly virtual session to hold...
10/02/2026

Peer Support Group Meets virtually
Sunday October 18th 6:30pm–8pm

Families United hosts a monthly virtual session to hold space for those of us impacted by DCF. Whether you are a parent that has had DCF involvement, a person who has had loved ones involved with DCF, or a person who had involvement as a child or youth, this group is for you. Come join us to participate in collective healing where you share your experience and feelings with people who get it.

Meets virtually on the 3rd Sunday of every month

6:30p–8p

To register email [email protected] call (802) 451-0468

Address

28 Williams Street
Brattleboro, VT
05301

Telephone

+18024510509

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when The Root Social Justice Center posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to The Root Social Justice Center:

Shortcuts

Share

Category