Burlington Coalition for Dismantling Racism (BCDR)

Background

Burlington Coalition for Dismantling Racism is a nonprofit organization based in Burlington, Wisconsin that  was founded in October 2019 in response to allegations that children were experiencing racial slurs in their school. BCDR advocates for racial equal outcomes, and against racism in local schools and the broader community. It educates, advocates, protests and conducts events to advance its agenda. ^{2  3}

Activities

Burlington Coalition for Dismantling Racism organized rallies and protests after George Floyd’s death in 2020 and advocated for left-wing anti-racism measures in schools. ⁴

In its 2024 annual report, BCDR stated that they helped sponsor events celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), and organized training programs to promote empathy for the LGBT community. ⁵

BCDR hosts and organizes Juneteenth celebrations including one of the first major events in the Burlington, Wisconsin area that featured prayer, the Black National Anthem, and a variety of speakers. ⁶

Burlington Coalition for Dismantling Racism submitted an eight-page proposed anti-racism and harassment policy to the Burlington Area School District (BASD) board and criticized the eventual adoption of a shorter edition. ⁷

BCDR filed complaints with the school district and state and partnered with ACLU of Wisconsin on cases and collaborates with BASD on its Black History Month Art and Essay Contest for which it offers prizes. ^{8  9  10}

Burlington Coalition for Dismantling Racism conducts an annual back to school program by donating “Crayola’s of Colors” crayons and books featuring characters and authors of color to ELA classrooms in Burlington Area School District and Burlington private schools. ¹¹

Controversies

On May 10, 2025, Burlington Coalition for Dismantling Racism issued a statement demanding that Waterford High School be held accountable for alleged racial slurs and dehumanizing treatment of Rufus King High School students at a track meet. ¹²

BCDR successfully advocated for stronger policies and accountability in Burlington Area School District. In September 2020, students discovered “Die [N-word]” and “Down with BLM” spelled out in playground wood chips at Cooper Elementary School. The discovery was made three days after a school board meeting at which there had been opposition to the actions of Melissa Statz, a fourth-grade teacher who led a lesson in systemic racism and Black Lives Matter. Two weeks later the N-word was found spray-painted on the floor of a school under construction and a virtual class was “Zoom-bombed” with racial slurs. ¹³

Based on the wood-chip incident and others the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) ruled that BASD had failed to adequately address a “racially hostile environment” including failure to properly investigate or respond to complaints of racial harassment. ¹

Financials

BCDR filed form 990-N (e-postcard) with the IRS for tax year 2025 indicating that it had revenue of less than $50,000. ¹⁴

People

Burlington Coalition for Dismantling Racism was founded by Darnisha Garbade. She served as president until 2021 and was succeeded by Laura Beilefeldt as BCDR’s president as of June 2026. ¹⁵