Specifications include, but are not limited to: 1) Seminar Series: A statewide speaker series on racial justice and equity issues relative to housing in Vermont. The series would feature a mix of national and regional leaders in racial equity and housing. The speaker series would be available to the public, with priority registration provided to Vermont’s nonprofit affordable housing and conservation organizations. It is anticipated that 3-5 speakers will be engaged. 2) Roundtable Discussions: The roundtable discussions will focus on specific systemic conditions that need to be addressed in Vermont’s housing network and organizations. Housing practitioners will be invited to discuss identified topics and workshop solutions, with the intent of developing best practices to be adopted throughout the network. This series will be open to practitioners in the housing field. It is anticipated that 4-6 roundtable discussions will occur, and that each workshop will result in a set of actionable steps that participants will be able to enact within their organizations to address existing policies and practices which adversely impact BIPOC Vermonters. Potential topics to include: o Criminal background checks and credit reviews in the tenant selection process 2 o Staff training and education o Addressing racism within the organization o Land and reparations o Translation services o Equity in homeownership opportunities o Managing tenant conflict and racist behavior Scope of Work The Consultant will design and implement the initiative culminating in the two identified goals of Phase 1. This work includes assembling a Steering Committee inclusive of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) Vermonters and identifying additional stakeholders to inform program design. Consultant will also engage potential speakers for the seminar series and facilitate the roundtable discussions in accordance with the priorities set by Steering Committee and other stakeholders. Activities include: Administration and Facilitation o Assemble and facilitate a Steering Committee, which will include at least two representatives of the Alliance, and one representative each from VHCB, NeighborWorks America, and VHFA. It must also include BIPOC Vermonters and stakeholders who are directly impacted by the issues this initiative is designed to address. o Coordinate and facilitate Steering Committee to set priorities for and implement the seminar series and roundtable discussions.