Black Business Association Lauds Creation of Reparations Committee

The Black Business Association of the Amherst Area (BBAAA) rejoices that the Town Council has finally approved the establishment of the Amherst Black Reparations Committee (ABRC) nearly two years after the African Heritage Reparation Assembly (AHRA) Final Report was issued. The AHRA report, dated September 26, 2023, which was dedicated to the memory of Dr. Demetria Shabazz, recommended that the town “Adopt a charge for a successor town committee to carry on the work of the AHRA…to vet applications for reparative justice initiatives on an ongoing basis.” 

The ABRC’s mission is to make recommendations to the Town Council on the priority areas for and expenditure of the Reparations Stabilization Fund for repair of harms caused by support of slavery and post-reconstruction discrimination by the town, residents, businesses, and other Amherst-associated entities, including consideration of areas recommended by the AHRA Final Report. The full description of the ABRC can be found here. 

Michele Miller, a local entrepreneur, former town councilor, and AHRA chair, addressed the town council during the public comment period observing that “this is why reparations matter – not as a symbolic gesture, but as a necessary and grounded response to real, measurable harm.” The BBAAA salutes Miller for all that she has done in solidarity with the fight for Black reparations. She is an inspiring example of commitment, empathy and wisdom that has made Amherst the second municipality in the country to develop a funded program of reparative justice.   

Pat Ononibaku, President of BBAAA, made this statement: 

“Black-owned businesses in Amherst that were in existence before the COVID 19 pandemic were denied ARPA funds while we saw a new nightclub calling itself The Drake receive $300K. The need for reparations is not just based on harm from decades or centuries ago, it is contemporary reality, daily institutionalized, and systemic. I hope the town manager will make his seven appointments to the committee and the work to disperse reparation funds will be done judiciously and expeditiously and our members will have access to these funds without arbitrary hurdles and roadblocks.” 

Dr. Amilcar Shabazz, who served from its inception on the AHRA and is the BBAAA treasurer, issued this remark: 

“If the town manager can get the appointment of seven residents to the ABRC and the committee convened before the second anniversary of the AHRA report, then we should be able to get something tangible accomplished before the end of the year. ‘Business grants and entrepreneurial training’ constituted one of the three priority areas for reparations funding the AHRA identified and should be a starting point for immediate action.” 

About the Black Business Association of Amherst Area
BBAAA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the collective interests of its members to develop and grow their businesses through education, networking, marketing, advocacy, leadership, mentorship, and access to business resources. For details, see its website at https://bbaaa.org