Profile: Ali Dieng, councilor
Burlington City Councilor Ali Dieng—born in Mauritania/Senegal with an international-law background—has advanced racial-equity offices and sister-city ties, making him a notable connector in New England immigrant-policy networks. Social posts this week flagged Dieng as a practical contact for regional immigrant advocacy. (x.com)
Ali Dieng is listed as the regional manager for Building Bright Futures overseeing the Chittenden, Franklin and Grand Isle regions. (buildingbrightfutures.org) He founded the Burlington School District’s Parent University and is a co‑founder of the Vermont New American Advisory Council (VNAAC); he also serves on the board of the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunities. (vermontbiz.com) Dieng was first elected to Burlington City Council in 2017 and has served multiple terms representing Ward 7 and the New North End. (vtdigger.org) As a councilor he publicly opposed raising the city’s police staffing cap from 74 to 84 officers and proposed a non‑binding ballot option on policing levels alongside a proposal to create a Public Health Emergency Manager role. (vtcynic.com) Dieng ran a campaign for Burlington mayor in 2021, campaigning on racial justice, homelessness solutions and public‑health planning. (vtcynic.com) He launched a last‑minute write‑in challenge to incumbent Mark Barlow in the March 2025 municipal election and the write‑in bid was turned back on Town Meeting Day (March 4, 2025). (sevendaysvt.com) The formal sister‑city relationship with Thiès‑Est, Senegal moved through the council on March 25, 2024, and Burlington delegations travelled to Thiès‑Est in 2025 as part of implementation and cultural exchanges. (aflcr.org)
