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Boston Globe
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
Roxbury Unity parade celebrates ‘Black Heartbeat' of community
After moving back to Boston in 2018, Burton felt that Roxbury's neighborhood pride was lacking. It was then that she got the idea for a parade meant 'to celebrate Roxbury's history, culture, beauty, and resilience,' a statement on the The event continued with a block party gathering at the high school featuring face painting, music, and an awards presentation, according to the Attendees and organizers wore body paint on their faces, arms, and legs, donning different Roxbury-positive messages, such as 'Roxbury 4 life' and 'Roxbury unity.' Advertisement Dozens of people, including Mayor Michelle Wu, Representative Ayanna Pressley, Senator Liz Miranda, and Boston City Council President Ruthzee Louijeune, took seats and stood near the awards table as the ceremony began. This year's awards included the Michael L. Bivins community hero award, presented to Anthony Richards Sr. of the No Books No Ball basketball program, and the Mary Morris lifetime achievement award, presented to Jumaada Smith, the group said on The Roxbury-based No Books No Balls nonprofit aims to teach 'the game of basketball along with important life-lessons regarding sportsmanship and academic achievement,' according to the Advertisement 'That was something that I felt I needed to do because basketball is my world,' Bivins said at the ceremony, 'basketball is my life.' Bivins then introduced former New Edition bandmate Ronnie DeVoe as the next speaker. 'I'm here as a reflection of what the youth in this community are able to do,' DeVoe said, 'Success is at the grasp of everybody in this community and we are an example of that.' As the ceremony concluded, Mayor Wu spoke to the Roxbury community. 'We have a lot of work to do,' she said, 'a lot of days that looks like digging deep, fighting, and speaking truth to power.' The parade set off at 1 p.m. and proceeded along Malcolm X Boulevard in Roxbury. Despite concerns over incoming storms and potential bad weather, Burton remained in good spirits due to the parade's rain-or-shine nature. 'I love this weather. I hope the rain holds off but this is really good weather,' Burton said on her As the procession marched into the street, a sea of purple shirts followed Mayor Wu and Representative Pressley, as they waved to people lining the street and held signs in support of Wu's re-election campaign. Holding banners, singing, and alternating chants of 'Roxbury love,' the parade returned to the high school to conclude the event with more music and live performances. As the event ended, spirits remained high as organizers and attendees alike danced and sang to 70s and 80s era music. Advertisement 'Roxbury stand up,' Burton said on Facebook, 'It is our day, it is our weekend.'
CBS News
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Boston kicks off America's birthday with Harborfest celebrations
Thousands of people will descend on Boston this weekend for the 4th of July with preps and celebrations already beginning in the city. "All of the different music events, and we love being in Boston Harbor," said Stacey Militello, who came to check out Harborfest. Harborfest kicked off on Wednesday with the Middlesex County Fife and Drum band before a boat-themed cake was cut and served to those in the crowd. "We're not only celebrating the birthday of America, we're also celebrating and recognizing the men and women of our country that put on our nation's uniform," said Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn. U.S.S. Donald Cook docked in Boston The sailors aboard the U.S.S. Donald Cook DDG75 are also taking over the city. Their shipped is docked at Black Falcon Pier for the weekend. The crew took WBZ-TV aboard for a look, and the public is welcome for tours starting on Thursday. "Welcomed us with open arms. Our sailors are all across the city right now enjoying Boston," said Commander Roosevelt White Jr., the commanding officer aboard the ship. "We can attack our advisories in the land, sea, or air." Only this weekend, their sailors will be taking on Boston from the food to Fenway to Friday night dance floors. "We do have some dancers on board, so I think you're going to see some sailors with the moves like Jagger," laughed White. Esplanade security Their exploration may include joining the tens of thousands of people who will make their way to the Esplanade for the fireworks. Law enforcement had a very specific message for those people looking to create their own show. "Leave the fireworks to the professionals. In the past five years, illegal fireworks have caused almost 200 serious injuries and 500 fires in Massachusetts," said Gina Kwon, Undersecretary for Law Enforcement at the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security. "Spectators will see a recognizable presence from our uniformed troopers," added Massachusetts State Police Col. Geoffrey Noble during a press conference on 4th of July safety. There will also be an FBI presence, but right now they said they are tracking no specific threats. "We encourage everyone to be mindful, to stay hydrated, and to wear sunscreen. Keep track of personal belongings," said Rebecca Tepper, Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs. Fireworks will also be getting an earlier start this year, and will begin at 9:40 p.m.
Miami Herald
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Boston Leaders Push to Bring HBCU Campus to the City
Following the example set by San Diego and Los Angeles County in 2024, Boston city officials are working to attract a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) to establish a satellite campus in the city. The goal: to create more educational opportunities for Black students in a region that has historically lacked an HBCU presence. Boston City Council Vice President Leads the Charge Boston City Council Vice President Brian Worrell is spearheading the initiative. According to The Boston Herald, Worrell recently called for a public hearing to explore bringing an HBCU to Boston-a city that was once a leader in Black education during the 19th century. "An HBCU presence would provide role models for current Black students by showing them a tangible pathway to success," Worrell said during a council meeting. "Boston led the way in educating Black students in the first half of the 19th century, with the opening of the Abiel Smith School. We need to rediscover that trailblazing spirit." Worrell's proposal is closely tied to Boston's Building Bridges HBCU program, which he describes as a direct response to the recent national pushback against diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Growing Demand for HBCUs in the North The hearing order notes that while there are more than 100 HBCUs in the U.S., most are located in the South-a reflection of their historical role in countering Jim Crow laws. Today, the need for culturally responsive educational spaces is growing, particularly in areas like Boston where Black students have limited access to HBCU environments. Worrell's office told The Boston Herald that updates on the city's efforts to attract an HBCU partner will be shared this fall. Boston Public Schools Chief of Student Support Cory McCarthy emphasized the increasing interest, saying, "The appetite for an HBCU has grown immensely within the last five years." He added, "Bringing an HBCU to Boston would further showcase the city's commitment to building an educational ecosystem that values, supports, and elevates Black students." The Impact of HBCUs Nationwide Worrell highlighted that despite making up just 3% of U.S. higher education institutions, HBCUs produce a disproportionate number of Black professionals: 40% of Black engineers and members of Congress50% of Black lawyers and doctors70% of Black dentists These statistics underscore the enduring importance and success of HBCUs in advancing Black excellence. California's HBCU Expansion as a Model Boston's vision aligns with similar efforts on the West Coast. In 2024, Huston-Tillotson University, based in Austin, Texas, announced plans to open a satellite campus in California. However, the university's California branch is not expected to open until August 2025, pending accreditation approval from the state. According to the university's website, the California campus will initially offer coursework aligned with the university's Liberal Studies requirements and plans to fully establish a branch campus by August 2025. The post Boston Leaders Push to Bring HBCU Campus to the City appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
Boston Globe
29-05-2025
- Business
- Boston Globe
Boston Mayor Wu announces more than $2 million in funding aimed at organizations that support immigrants
Dozens of organizations will receive a share of the grant money, including Advertisement 'At a time when immigrant communities face uncertainty across the nation, Boston is choosing connection, compassion, and celebration,' said Mariangely Solis Cervera, Boston's Chief of Equity and Inclusion, in the statement. The investment follows the In December, the Boston City Council reaffirmed the Trust Act, Amid Advertisement 'The celebration of all people is integral to the heart of the City of Boston,' said Monique Tú Nguyen, executive director of the Office for Immigrant Advancement. The City of Belonging Festival comes on the heels of Wu's announcement of 2025 as the Ava Berger can be reached at
Boston Globe
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Boston Globe
The debate over ranked-choice voting in Boston is more than just academic
Send questions or suggestions to . To subscribe, . TODAY'S STARTING POINT If a coalition of activists and the Boston City Council get their way, 'Who did you vote for?' may soon become a trickier question to answer in Boston. And that's on purpose. Last week, the City Council Advocates say RCV gives voters more choices and encourages candidates to earn broader support. New York City; Burlington, Vt., and other municipalities Advertisement But not everyone is persuaded. Some lawmakers and political scientists question the benefits of RCV. Others worry that it will make elections more complicated for voters to participate in and for the city to run. Today's newsletter explains the debate. Advertisement Advocates' case For its supporters, the benefits of RCV flow from its design. By letting voters pick whom they want most while also signaling who should get their support if that candidate doesn't win, RCV lets voters better express their preferences. People can cast ballots for third-party or independent candidates without worrying that their vote will be wasted — or worse, hand the election to a candidate they dislike. 'The biggest gain is that folks aren't feeling like they're left out,' said Edwyn Shoemaker, who runs Ranked Choice Boston, a coalition that advocated for the measure. Voter turnout in municipal elections in Boston, as in most cities, tends to be low. But people who believe their vote matters are more likely to show up to cast it, Shoemaker argues. He cited Boston municipal elections are technically nonpartisan, without a candidate's party affiliation listed on the ballot. Shoemaker thinks RCV can reduce polarization even more by giving candidates a reason to compete for voters outside their normal bases of support. It might even incentivize them to campaign more civilly, lest they alienate a rival's supporters who might otherwise rank them second or third. Criticisms Critics say RCV's advocates overstate its benefits, which can vary depending on the kind of election in which it's used. In a statewide race for president, for example, RCV might well prevent a third-party candidate from handing the election to a Democrat over a Republican, or vice versa. But implementing it for municipal races to elect what's currently an all-Democratic city council might not change much. Most of the current district councilors won their seats with majorities of the vote, suggesting broad support even absent RCV. (RCV would work slightly differently for at-large city council seats, with a lower threshold for victory.) And in RCV elections elsewhere, the candidate with a plurality in the first round Advertisement Other critics say RCV imagines an idealized electorate that doesn't really exist. Yes, many people know which candidates they prefer or do research before deciding whom to support. But expecting most voters to parse the sometimes-minute differences among candidates for local seats in a majority-Democratic city strains credulity, said Eitan Hersh, a Tufts political scientist. 'It's sort of like if I asked you, 'What's your favorite ice cream flavor?'' Hersh said. 'And then instead of that, I said, 'Okay, now you have to rank-order all the ice cream flavors.' It's kind of hard.' Ranked-choice ballots also tend to be more complicated and time-consuming to fill out, and complexity breeds mistakes. According to Some critics also think RCV will burden Boston's already strained election system. Councilor Ed Flynn Advertisement The context In between the advocates and critics are the ambivalent. Lee Drutman, a voting reform expert at New America, a Washington think tank, is in that camp. Once an RCV evangelist, he's come to Does that mean the debate doesn't matter? The passions on both sides may instead reflect a more troubling phenomenon: growing dissatisfaction with American democracy. As voters become more pessimistic about the country's bitter partisan divides, some have evidently latched onto changes they hope will improve things — even if the evidence is mixed. 'People are looking for electoral reform,' Drutman said. 'RCV has caught on for particular reasons. But is it actually transformative enough to change the fundamentals of the system?' 🧩 6 Across: POINTS OF INTEREST The scene of a fatal accident in Hyde Park in April in which a school bus struck and killed a 5-year-old boy. Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff Boston and New England Karen Read: Read's lawyer pressed a digital forensics examiner on his credentials Verdict: A jury convicted a former high school basketball coach in Rhode Island of misdemeanor battery for Settlement: The MBTA Crash data: Fatal incidents involving school buses, like the one that killed a 5-year-old boy last month, Retail reclamation: Macy's is closing 150 stores nationwide. Downtown Boston's may survive Trump administration Congresswoman charged: The Justice Department said it was charging Representative LaMonica McIver, a New Jersey Democrat, with assaulting a police officer near an ICE facility this month. McIver called the charges political. ( Jan. 6 settlement: The administration agreed to pay Ashli Babbitt's family about $5 million after a Capitol police officer defending lawmakers fatally shot her during the riot. ( Take It Down Act: Trump signed a bipartisan bill meant to prevent the dissemination of non-consensual intimate images, including deepfakes and revenge porn. ( Trump's agenda: Republicans claim they're cutting Medicaid fraud to pay for Trump's tax cuts. But in Massachusetts, fraud Free press: CBS News' president resigned after opposing the company's efforts to settle Trump's lawsuit against '60 Minutes.' ( Red tape: New England fisherman blame bureaucracy for hurting their industry. They're The Nation and the World Joe Biden's cancer: The former president's diagnosis underscores that cancers can pop up suddenly even among those with excellent health care. ( Diddy trial: Witnesses testified that music mogul Sean Combs controlled and assaulted his longtime girlfriend, R&B singer Cassie Ventura. ( Mending ties: The UK and the European Union struck a deal that covers trade, energy, and more. It's their biggest relationship reset since Brexit. ( BESIDE THE POINT By Teresa Hanafin 💍 The Big Day: They dated for four years before going their separate ways — only to reconnect in Savannah for a 🚗 Timing is everything: AAA predicts that 28,000 more people will drive on Mass. roads over the holiday weekend than last year. Here are the best times to travel from Thursday through Monday. ( Advertisement 🌸 Floriferous: It was a banner year for hydrangeas in 2024, and while this year's blooms may not be as spectacular, they will be quite nice. 👶🏼 Robbing the cradle: It's not just men who like dating younger partners. Turns out women are attracted to younger men, according to a recent study. ( 🏠 People pleasers: If you're selling your home this spring, there are seven things that homebuyers really want and I have to say, a clean crawl space was not on my dance card. ( 📥 RTO or WFH? Workers in some cities have been quick to return to offices; others are among the slowest. Boston's on one of those lists. ( 🥺 Living with guilt: Being the person who accidentally causes another's death can lead to a lifetime of grief. But there are resources to help. ( Thanks for reading Starting Point. This newsletter was edited and produced by ❓ Have a question for the team? Email us at ✍🏼 If someone sent you this newsletter, you can 📬 Delivered Monday through Friday. Ian Prasad Philbrick can be reached at
