Concord Major Jim Bouley presented a plan to city councilors Monday night to introduce a diversity, equity, inclusion and justice committee.

The committee, comprised of Bouley and City Councilors Zandra Rice-Hawkins and Byron Champlin, will establish a scope of work and partner with outside organizations.

New American and refugee populations have been asking for more people of color on city boards and committees that guide projects and offer recommendations on important decisions.

“The goal is to create and sustain inclusive processes for public engagement so all residents can authentically impact the projects that affect their lives,” Bouley said. “We want to identify characteristics to make Concord more welcoming and inclusive, help residents feel more empowered and have conversations around the city to engage marginalized voices.”

Funding for the committee and the use of trained facilitators to lead discussions are expected to be included in the upcoming city budget in order to help create sustainable long-term change. Over the next two years, the committee will work to implement genuine, systemic change in the city, Bouley said.

“What I’ve learned as I’ve talked to folks in the community is that there needs to be an outside consultant if we’re going to be successful in doing this,” Bouley said. “This is meant to be a holistic and inclusive process to start the conversation.”

Despite his efforts, several members of the audience wanted to speak about the committee or its goals but were not allowed as the public comment portion of the meeting had already closed.

“I suggest we talk right now. There are folks in the audience, why don’t we get their impressions of it?” said Ward 5 Councilor Stacey Brown.

“We are going to welcome everyone to the table as we work on it but I think it’s fine right now,” Bouley responded. “I don’t want to get ahead of where we need to be and everyone’s input will be taken.”

Last month, Brown proposed creating an ad-hoc committee to focus on the diversity and outreach of boards, committees and commissions in the city. Her idea was dismissed as Bouley said he had been working on a proposal for a diversity and equity committee. The proposal made this week contained one page of goals, which was not posted on the agenda nor available to the public or city councilors ahead of the meeting.

One of three goals called for establishing “a model/protocol for community conversations that engage all Concord citizens such that the city and its committees can follow the practices set forth for future projects.”

One of three “deliverables” included hosting a series of facilitated conversations “to engage marginalized voices.” Another called for creating a contact list of leaders from hard-to-reach communities.

Change for Concord leader Fisto Ndayishimiye wanted to address councilors on behalf of the city’s growing community of color.

“I was hoping this would be open to the public and they’d actually consider our ideas,” Ndayishimiye said after the meeting. “But now I believe he has his own people that are going to be working on this and it’s not fair because we have people who have lived the experience and are willing to work and make these changes.”

He said he felt silenced and pushed aside.

“There were a lot of people and leaders from the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) community and we invited them because we wanted them to own the conversation. It’s about them,” Ndayishimiye said.

In the coming weeks, Bouley alongside Rice-Hawkins and Champlin will work to identify a consultant to help enhance community discussions and bridge the gap between minority communities, he said.

“The mirror was turned inward and we want to turn the mirror outward and work with the community,” Bouley said.

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