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New Program Aims to Support BIPOC Recruitment in Vermont
BURLINGTON, VT — Gary Scott, a Black man who relocated to Vermont from Texas in late 2020, faced significant challenges upon his arrival, including isolation and a lack of community connections. His experiences inspired the launch of the Newcomer Nexus program by the Vermont Professionals of Color Network (VtPOC), designed to assist in recruiting and retaining diverse talents in the state.
Scott’s journey began during the pandemic, putting him in a hotel for seven months without familiar faces. It wasn’t until he met Tinotenda Rutanhira, VtPOC’s co-founder, at a BIPOC vaccination clinic that he began to build a supportive network. Their friendship led to the idea of connecting incoming employees with local community members who can help integrate them into Vermont’s largely white landscape.
Launched in spring 2024, the Newcomer Nexus program has already recruited two professionals to Chittenden County and assisted numerous residency candidates at the University of Vermont Medical Center. While recent recruits are not people of color, candidates noted the program’s unique opportunities and support.
For employers in Vermont, the program addresses a pressing need in a state with low unemployment and over 20,000 open jobs. Melissa Bounty, director of the Central Vermont Economic Development Corporation, highlighted the initiative’s importance in bridging gaps for new employees by introducing them to community resources.
Rutanhira emphasized the unique challenges BIPOC individuals face moving to a predominantly white state, advocating that individual support is vital for smoother transitions. The program aims to expand its network of ambassadors to further facilitate integration.
Scott, now a senior vice president at the University of Vermont Health Network, believes that structured support would have eased his transition and is actively recommending the program for newcomers.
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Photo credit vtdigger.org
