Decatur City Commission to create a reparations task force

Beacon Hill Black Alliance for Human Rights Co-Chair Phil Cuffey, left, gives a public comment in support of creating a reparations task force during a Decatur City Commission meeting on May 5, 2025. (ZOE SEILER/DECATURISH)

The Decatur City Commission, at its May 5 meeting, unanimously approved a resolution from the Beacon Hill Black Alliance for Human Rights to create a reparations task force.

In March 2024, the city commission approved a funding request of $25,000 from the Beacon Hill Black Alliance for Human Rights to continue their reparations work. Beacon Hill has been laying the groundwork for the task force to be established, but is not acting as the task force. Beacon Hill began doing reparations research in 2022.

Beacon Hill has focused on research, community education and engagement, and interviewing community members who live in the Beacon Hill area.