Veterans protest UMass budget cuts
Following a period of financial turmoil at UMass Boston, war veterans, staff members and supporters of the William Joiner Institute for the Study of War and Social Consequences gathered last week at the Dorchester Vietnam War Memorial to protest the school’s decision to cut funding.

Open mkt. for electric more costly
A recent report commissioned by the Massachusetts Attorney General’s office found that hundreds of thousands of competitive electric supply customers paid nearly $180 million more for electricity than they would have paid their basic utility provider, as a result of deceptive sales practices that target vulnerable communities.

Dem. candidates agree on issues in gov’s race
BANNER PHOTO Former Administration and Finance Sec. Jay Gonzalez (r) makes a point as (l-r) moderator Meghan Irons, former Newton Mayor Setti Warren and entrepreneur Bob Massie look on during the RoxVote Democratic gubernatorial forum at Hibernian Hall Monday.

School Committee passes budget, activists decry cuts
The Boston School Committee voted unanimously last week to approve the $1.109 billion Boston Public Schools budget, bringing to an end a month-long series of hearings that saw parents, BPS employees, students and advocates appealing to save programs and positions facing funding cuts.

Stuck in a hard place
Many citizens who are irate with the performance of Donald Trump as president have been calling for impeachment. However, under Article II, Section 4 of the Constitution, Trump would have to be convicted of treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.

A crisis of faith?
Holy Week has slipped by this year with little public notice or celebration. The days following Palm Sunday usually generate great solemnity among Christians as they prepare for Easter.

.

ROVING CAMERA
Activate the black millennial vote. Black millennials are the future of the Democratic Party. We were very active during Obama’s first and second term. They need to keep us that way..

IN THE NEWS
Dawn Frazier-Bohnert, senior vice president and chief diversity and inclusion officer at Liberty Mutual Insurance, was honored for her work in support of Summer Search Boston during the group’s annual Leadership Dinner. Summer Search Boston helps economically disadvantaged youth complete high school and attain a college degree.

Boston faces a crisis in community-based reentry
Imagine waking up one day with nothing except a change of clothes, and no money in your pocket. You need a job, but can’t apply because you don’t have a driver’s license, photo ID, or even a Social Security card. You head to the Registry of Motor Vehicles to get an ID, but you don’t have a fixed address, or enough money to pay for it.

Elugardo kicks off campaign for state representative
“[Elect a] representative who will demonstrate, not just talk about, this commitment by respecting your brilliance and your power and championing your rights without fear, without falsehood and with the many diverse and ingenious voices of our community,” said Elugardo.

Community breakfast
COURTESY PHOTO Enjoying a moment at the March 29 UMass Boston Community Breakfast are (l-r) Suffolk Construction Northeast Region Vice President for Diversity, Inclusion and Community Relations Linda Dorcena Forry, Isaura Mendes, founder of the Bobby Mendes Peace Legacy, and Corey Allen, Suffolk trade partner diversity & community outreach officer.

Increasing bidding opps
More than 40 minority and women-owned businesses showcased their products and services last Thursday at a supplier diversity and procurement fair attended by more than 150 businesses and organized by CRRC MA, the North American regional corporation of the world’s largest railcar builder.

BIZ BITS
The April 17 tax filing deadline is quickly approaching. While many are excited about the possibility of a tax refund, nearly 1 in 3 taxpayers waits until April to file their return. Here are some tips to help make the final stretch of the tax season less daunting.

Respond well to angry work emails
simply craft a response message and never have to encounter that person directly, it’s important to evaluate whether that’s the best tactic. Do you need to set up an in-person meeting or a one-onone phone call with this person to resolve the issue? Is this something that needs to be escalated to your supervisor?.

BOSTON SCENES
Over 500 guests attended the Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association (“MBLA”) Annual Gala on March 22, 2018 to celebrate 45 years of service to the Massachusetts legal community as well as the accomplishments of Melvin Miller, Intisar Rabb, Keith Hylton and Maria O’Brien Hylton and Desiree Ralls-Morrison.

Melanin magic
Maurice Parent and Dawn Simmons bonded over diversity in theater and Manhattan cocktails during the 2015 production of “Saturday Night, Sunday Morning,” at Lyric Stage. Little did they know their kindred spirits would result in the creation of Boston’s newest black theater company, Front Porch Arts Collective.

Portraits+Power
Through April 6, the Sherrill Library at Lesley University in Cambridge exhibits “Portraits & Power,” featuring local artists and Lesley students Mosheh Tucker and Rocky Cotard. In time for Women’s History Month, Tucker and Cotard’s works celebrate the women of color in their communities.

Soulful stitching: Quilts tell story of Siddi people
“Soulful Stitching,” on view at the Davis Museum in Wellesley through June 10, highlights an often forgotten area of the African diaspora. “For a lot of people there’s a growing interest in the African diaspora,” says assistant curator Amanda Gilvin. “But in the U.

‘The City Different’
In Santa Fe, New Mexico, there’s more art than air, and it’s equally life sustaining. Original artwork hangs on the wall of every restaurant, hotel and even convenience store. More intriguing than the rate at which artwork permeates the culture is the caliber it sustains.

A blueprint for change: Dr. King’s legacy 50 years later
This week — as we commemorate the 50th anniversary of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s assassination — let us remember the full scale of his legacy.