We aim to make Freeport, Pownal, and Durham inclusive, safe, equitable communities for everyone.

History

TTEIC formed in June of 2020 when a group of Freeport residents joined together to organize a march and demonstration in response to the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and so many other Black, Indigenous People of Color. The demonstration included BIPOC voices from the Freeport community, including parents and youth, sharing their own experiences of racism in Freeport and demonstrating that racism is not something that is “out there,” or a problem for other communities, but is present in small, mostly white towns such as Freeport. 

Community members reached out following the march, wanting to join together to take concrete steps to address racism in our community. Several of the organizers and attendees at the march began holding informal meetings over zoom, sharing resources, and identifying ways to raise awareness and create change. Recognizing the desire of the community for ongoing learning and reflection, TTEIC began seeking ways to partner with community organizations and town committees to learn about how to advance this work. 

The Tri-Town Equity and Inclusion community currently includes a governing circle, several community-based projects, and a broader group of community members seeking ways to connect and reflect together. Together, we continue to build relationships across the community, practice inner work and self-reflection, and create opportunities for community engagement, such as a partnership with the Freeport Library for a Me and White Supremacy book club. 

TTEIC continues to grow, make connections, and find ways to balance the internal and external work of decolonization and anti-racism.

Values & Guiding Principles

Diversity 

Equitable community & equal opportunities

Ongoing Learning & Education

Inclusion 

Truth

Connection & relationships 

Healing

Listening 

Reflection/Self-Reflection

Being genuine

Justice

Solidarity

Inner & Outer Work

As part of our governance structure and our accountability practices, we encourage each committee & the Governance Circle to practice both the “internal” work of learning and shared reflection and the “outer” work of policy change. More on the importance of aligning work in these two spheres can be found here.