About the Department of Racial and Social Justice
The Department of Racial and Social Justice (RSJ) leads the City of Somerville’s equity efforts and collaborates with city departments, constituents, and stakeholders to eliminate the institutional and structural systems that create racial inequities, social disparities, and injustices.
Contact Information
Amanda Nagim-Williams
Director
617-625-6600 x2063
anagimwilliams@somervillema.gov
Steven Flythe
Deputy Director
Office: 617-625-6600 x2060
sflythe@somervillema.gov
Haakon Brooks
Public Information Officer
Office: 617-625-6600 ext 2066
hbrooks@somervillema.gov
Beth Beaverson
RSJ Investigator
(617) 625-6600 x2067
bbeaverson@somervillema.gov
Adrienne Pomeroy
ADA Coordinator
(617) 625-6600 x2059
apomeroy@somervillema.gov
Elijah Booker
Project Specialist
(617) 625-6600 x2064
ebooker@somervillema.gov
Latoya Saulters
Commissions Coordinator
(617) 625-6600 x2065
lsaulters@somervillema.gov
Leonor Galindo
Community Engagement Specialist
(617) 625-6600 x2061
lgalindo@somervillema.gov
Hours
Monday - Wednesday
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Thursday
8:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Friday
8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Employee Directory
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Native American Heritage Month
There are a range of events and activities throughout our region celebrating and honoring Native American Heritage Month. The events listed below are free and open to the public.
Online Resources
- Native American Heritage Month Official Webpage - learn more about the history, events, exhibitions, audio/visual resources and more here: https://nativeamericanheritagemonth.gov/
- Indian Affairs Department with the State of Massachusetts - use this page to find more on how Native Americans in Massachusetts relay concerns of their tribes to local and state agencies and advocate for their communities: Indian Affairs | Mass.gov
- Use this page to explore the various maps of tribal lands that cities and towns across Massachusetts reside on: https://native-land.ca/maps/territories/massa-adchu-es-et-massachuset-2
- Online article that explores the Native American tribes of Massachusetts: The Tapestry of Massachusetts Native American Tribes - Thebostondaybook.com
In-Person Events: November 2024
November 9th, 2024 | 10 a.m.
- Honoring The Veterans Pow-wow, Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center.
- Location: 110 Pequot Trail, Mashantucket, CT.
- Contact: Website: www.pequotmuseum.org
November 14th, 2024| 5:30 p.m.
- Massachusetts Center for Native American Awareness (MCNAA) Student Book Discussion in partnership with Brandeis University.
- Location: Brandeis University, 415 South St, Waltham, MA 5:30PM
- Contact: Click HERE for more details.
November 15th, 2024 | 6 – 8 p.m.
- Come out and learn different beading techniques with UMass Native American Alumni Angelina LaRotonda. Angie is a skilled beader who travels the powwow trail selling her beadwork. All are welcome!
- Location: Beading Workshop @ JWECC Josephine White Eagle Cultural Center (Umass Amherst), Chadbourne Hall B-3, 110 Orchard Hill Drive, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003
- Contact: jwecc@sacl.umass.edu | 413-545-4932 (to be let in to building)
November 21st, 2024| 5 – 9 p.m.
- ArtsThursdays: Celebrating Native American Craft Brewers
- Location: Harvard Museum of Natural History, 26 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
- Contact: RSVP LINK
Virtual Events: November 2024
November 25th, 2024 | 7 – 8 p.m. *LOCAL OPPORTUNITY – Somerville Public Library
- Native Nations: A Millennium in North America - A Q&A with Author and Historian Kathleen DuVal
- Click HERE to RSVP for this virtual event held through the Somerville Public Library
The City of Somerville is committed to eliminating institutional and structural racism and its intersections with other forms of oppression. The work of the RSJ Department has prioritized five key areas:
- Public Safety for All
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- Commissions (SCPD, SCW, HRC)
- Hate-Bias Incidents Complaint Process
- Creating Structures for Equity
Accessibility Services & ADA Compliance
The City's ADA Division, which leads and manages the City in policy-setting, coordination, and training for ADA compliance, and proactively ensures the City's programs and services are compliant with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act and other applicable state and local disability rights laws. This division also acts as the City staff liaison to the Commission for Persons with Disabilities and key City staff.
The RSJ Department oversees and supports the work of the Human Rights Commission (HRC), the Somerville Commission for Women (SCW), and the Somerville Commission for Persons with Disabilities (SCPD) through staff attendance and participation in monthly meetings, activities, and events. Any questions on these commissions should be directed to Latoya Saulters, Commissions Coordinator at lsaulters@somervillema.gov, or (857) 274-2719.
1) Contact us: Text the RSJ Department at 781-808-7502 or email rsj@somervillema.gov.
2) Sign up for the City Newsletter for announcements and updates.
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