Parks and Rec. Dept. activates city with pockets of summer fun
After a long, drawn-out winter, Boston comes alive in the summertime. Cold, dreary weeks give way to sun-filled days, and public places that for months stood sparse as city-dwellers holed up indoors spring to life with music, crafts and theater events, many of them headed by the Boston Parks and Recreation Department.

Lawyers for Civil Rights file complaint against Brookline Public Schools
“A Black eighth grader … was subjected to racial bullying,” read a press release from the Lawyers for Civil Rights last week. It represented the latest salvo from the crusading pro-bono attorneys who originated the suit desegregating Boston’s public schools a half-century ago.

To build housing, Boston gives away land once owned by Black, brown families
In 1992, the city of Boston notified her father, James Saucer, it planned to take the two-lot property because he owed nearly $5,000 in unpaid taxes and interest.

New health equity effort aims to boost access to mental health services for Black men
When the initiative was announced July 18, the Urban League launched a directory of mental health services and resources with a focus on communities of color. The initiative will also work to identify up to 10 candidates for programs at William James College.

MBTA to increase frequency of trains on Fairmount line with battery operated fleet
Currently, diesel trains serve the line at halfhour intervals. Under the MBTA’s plan, the system will be served by battery electric multiple unit trains — trains where each car has its own power, enabling them to accelerate and brake faster than diesel trains, where a locomotive pulls or pushes a train of passenger cars.

Great Scott — a new beginning
Great Scott hosted a range of musicians before they became a household name. This intimate venue saw an early electro-pop performance from Charli XCX, MGMT’s psychedelic rock beginnings, and Beach Bunny’s energetic dance-pop sets.

Save Carney Hospital
Over the past few years, there has been a tremendous trend in Massachusetts and many states around the country to close needed healthcare facilities.

Greed should not ruin our healthcare.
Greed should not ruin our healthcare..

IN THE NEWS
“It is an honor to bring Professor Gates back to our national convention this year as the Spingarn Medal recipient,” said Derrick Johnson, president and CEO of the NAACP.

White Stadium’s revitalization can make facility a proud community hub again
White Stadium was a place where legends were made. For Boston student-athletes in the 1960s and ’70s, playing at the stadium meant you had made it to the big stage. I can instantly relive my days on that field as a running back for East Boston High School.

White Stadium: A threat to justice everywhere!
I’m old enough to remember the Urban Renewal days of the early ’60s, as our family home at 21 Munroe Street in Roxbury was taken by eminent domain by a then nascent Boston Redevelopment Authority. The reasoning for the taking, then and now, was blight and urban decay.

National Association of Black Journalists faces backlash over Trump invitation
Martin also pointed out that Trump has not been friendly with NABJ until after Harris entered the race: “Also keep in mind that Donald Trump REFUSED to speak to NABJ in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020.”

Culture is the key to seeing ourselves
One question of interest in culture today is, how do we see ourselves? With all the speculation around pundits and polls and those seeking profits, it seems clear that we must ask ourselves what we can each do to commit to our own sense of worth by committing to uphold a just set of values.

Boston Medical Center’s geriatrics program: a national leader in elder care
Boston Medical Center’s (BMC) geriatrics program has been named one of the 50 best in the country in this year’s rankings from U.S. News & World Report, based on its leadership in Alzheimer’s care and treatment and recognition from the National Institute on Aging for exceptional patient care.

BMC program continues to address gun violence with new federal funding
Since then, the team has expanded from two advocates to a staff of almost 14. It has worked with over 6,000 individuals in the Boston Medical Center system.

New book explores 500-year legacy of transatlantic slave trade
Select Books Inc. is thrilled to announce the forthcoming release of a groundbreaking book, The Transatlantic Slave Trade: Overcoming the 500-Year Legacy, scheduled for publication on October 8, 2024. Co-authored by National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) President and CEO Dr.

Lawmakers and Carney employees rally in opposition to hospital’s closing
“Many of the patients and communities served by Carney and Nashoba are also served by our member community health centers. For the past year, people in these communities have lived with the uncertainty of whether they can maintain access to services and for some the anxiety about whether they’ll lose their jobs and their livelihoods,” he said.

National Urban Sports Classic scores in so many ways
Sponsored by The BASE of Boston, one of the only predominantly independent minority groups in New England, this year’s classic will bring together 27 teams from Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Atlanta to compete in basketball and baseball for boys and softball for girls from this Wednesday to Saturday.

U.S. Olympians finding success in Paris
This quadrennial gathering of the world’s best athletes in their respective sports officially began with the participants being paraded down the Seine River on July 26, with fireworks and screaming crowds roaring approval of the unconventional approach to the traditional “Nations March” into the Olympic Stadium.

Companies bring climate innovation to the heart of Boston
Diana Yousef (left), founder and CEO of change:WATER labs stands at her booth at the Climate Tech on The Plaza event outside City Hall July 24.

Funding restrictions limit community lenders’ expansion efforts
Community development financial institutions, or CDFIs, have been a lifeline for local businesses in underserved communities for three decades. But when the nearly 100 CDFIs in Massachusetts have trouble accessing capital themselves, the whole pipeline suffers.

Empowerment through diversity: highlights from the National Urban League Annual Conference
The vibrant city of New Orleans played host to the National Urban League Annual Conference from July 24 to July 27, 2024, marking a significant event in the civil rights and urban advocacy landscape.

When working full-time isn’t enough: growing number of side-hustle jobs
For many people of modest means, taking a second job has been a go-to option for seasonal and/or short-term additional earnings. Whether planning for special holidays, noteworthy family events, or a one-time purchase, a “side hustle” has enabled many families to have a few extra comforts to make life more enjoyable.

AfroBeats. AfroEats.
The Mayor’s Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion hosted AfroBeats. AfroEats. as part of the Community Canvas Series. This Mattapan Square event featured vibrant AfroBeat rhythms spun by DJ Ohh and food from Suya Joint Food Truck. In addition, Froca Fitness led the audience in an intense workout accompanied by African Rhythms.

Puerto Rican Flag Raising
The annual Puerto Rican Flag Raising took place last week at the Puerto Rican Veterans Memorial in the South End..

City Hall Dance Party
On July 26, 2024, dancers took over City Hall Plaza for an an R&B Dance Party in collaboration with Silk R&B Night. The renowned DJ Real P got the crowd moving with irresistible beats..

Sonya Massey Vigil
Chelsea resident Rich Samuel places a candle at the Embrace Statue with his six-year-old daughter Payton during a vigil Sunday evening for Sonya Massey. The Illinois woman was shot and killed in her home by deputy Sean Grayson of the Sangamon County Sheriff’s department.

Summer of Love
The Summer of Love Block Party unveiled a 50-foot mural of Boston’s own Donna Summer by local artist Cedric Douglas with digital features created by Illuminus..

WILD Reunion
New Edition member Ralph Tresvant addresses the crowd at the Boston Radio Reunion & Awards..

We Black Folk
Mal Devisa performs for the crowd at the We Black Folk Kickoff event on Saturday, July 27 on Boston Common..

Boston Landmarks Orchestra premiers unpublished work by Black composer Julia Perry
Christopher Wilkins, music director of the Boston Landmarks Orchestra, has been working to get Black female composer Julia Perry’s work onto stages for years. Legal challenges and Perry’s lack of heirs and a will have kept her intellectual property, including published and unpublished compositions, tied up.

Greek tragedy gets an update in Applonaire Theatre’s bilingual production of ‘The Suppliant Women’
There is nothing new under the sun and that includes women’s rights and migrants seeking asylum. Both issues are currently at the forefront of news headlines and political discourse.

Take two arts activities and call me in the morning
The arts in Massachusetts have taken on a new role from culture creator to healthcare solution. In June, Art Pharmacy and Mass Cultural Council, along with Mass General Brigham, announced the launch of the first statewide arts prescription in the nation.