‘Just Say No’ led Kevin Hayden to say yes to a career in criminal justice
“We have the Suffolk County Sheriff [Steve Tompkins]; the Suffolk County DA, me; and the Boston Police Commissioner [Michael Cox] who are Black. That’s unprecedented. The three people most directly connected to law enforcement and the criminal legal system are all Black,” he noted.

Cartwright wins big in SJC race despite hurdles
hurdles, including gaining name recognition, educating voters on the importance of the position and running for office while holding down a full-time job as a managing director for the Committee for Public Council Services, the state office that provides attorneys for low-income defendants.

New bill adds liquor licenses for neighborhoods of color
The bill, introduced in the legislature in April 2023, passed through both chambers of the State House by the end of July, but with prominent differences between the two versions.

Black Owned Bos. celebrates five years in Seaport District
When Jae’da Turner founded Black Owned Bos., she didn’t intend it to become what it is today. In 2019, she wanted to create a space to amplify Black-owned small businesses in Boston and a way for locals and transplants alike to discover those businesses easily.

Decades after education reform, Mass. schools still stratified
Public schooling data in Massachusetts tells a tale of two states. In one, surging household incomes coupled with ample taxable property provide for peerless public education.

State gets federal funding for family shelter system
The Melnea Cass Recreational Complex in Roxbury was utilized as a temporary shelter for migrants and other homeless families from January until June, 2024. Mayor Michelle Wu along with Governor Maura Healey and other elected officials and civic leaders visited the complex on Jan.

Overly aggressive policing raises its head ... again.
On Sunday, Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill was speeding, recklessly driving, and, according to the police, “putting himself and others in great risk of danger” on his way to his home opener game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Hill was stopped and pulled over by Miami-Dade motorcycle officers.

“If that were you or me we’d be at the police station.”
“If that were you or me we’d be at the police station.”.

How Black leaders and professional organizations are reshaping ‘Black Jobs’
In recent weeks, the discussion around what constitutes a “Black job” has reignited a critical conversation about race, identity and the workforce. The term has been used to describe jobs perceived as lower-paying or less desirable, typically occupied by Black workers.

Landmark legislation will protect LGBTQI elders and older people living with HIV in long-term care
Many of us who have had a loved one in a nursing home or other long-term care (LTC) facility know that these facilities face systemic challenges. Difficulty finding staff who can provide care to vulnerable people in their 80s and 90s is often made worse by the practices of for-profit and private equity firms.

IN THE NEWS
Bourgeois brings considerable professional experience from the engineering, transportation, and infrastructure sectors, having worked with notable Massachusetts organizations involved in Massachusetts energy transition, such as GLX Constructors, MassDOT and Massport.

Black parents are stressed out
Parenting is hard, which, to many, may be an understatement. The irony? We live in a world where men like Republican vice-presidential candidate JD Vance condemn women for not having children, all without offering realistic policy proposals to make being a parent easier.

BRIDGING THE GAP: THE IMPORTANCE OF MENTAL HEALTH CARE
Understanding mental health requires considering a range of influencing factors. Biological elements, such as genetics, brain chemistry, and family history can play a crucial role; as can one’s overall physical health and the prevalence of pre-existing and chronic conditions.

Winter is coming: How to manage seasonal affective disorder
The changing of the seasons affects about 10 million people in America so severely that it impacts their ability to function. They experience depression, a lack of motivation, a desire to sleep longer and an increased appetite. This is a type of depression known as seasonal affective disorder.

State pursues new outreach, supports for electric vehicle adoption amid persistent barriers
But even as the city and state grapple with connecting more drivers to electric vehicles, barriers still exist. High costs, especially for new vehicles, can cast electric vehicles as a luxury purchase. Limited charging infrastructure can limit access for residents, especially those without their own garage or driveway to charge in.

Meilia Vodka Takeover
Jason Momoa and Blaine Halvorson took over The Rooftop at Envoy at the Envoy Hotel Monday night to celebrate their new spirit Meilia Vodka. The duo spent the evening behind the bar, serving up signature cocktails and interacting with fans..

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The Reunion Tour
Reunion Tour special guest Kierra Sheard-Kelly kicked off the evening and got the crowd on their feet..

Boston Black Greek Picnic
(above) The ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha Inc. Psi Omega Chapter pose for a group shot at the annual Black Greek Picnic in Franklin Park. (right) Kim Wilson runs the bake sale to support the Zeta Youth Auxiliary of the Boston chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

The Reunion Tour
The Reunion Tour marks the first time that Yolanda Adams has participated in an official tour in years..

TClarke5 Foundation celebrates Terrence Clarke
“It is my honor to now announce that with the next pick in the 2021 NBA draft, the NBA selects Terrence Clarke from the University of Kentucky.” Those words by current NBA Commissioner Adam Silver echoed through the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, on July 29, 2021.

NFL Week One — Pats win big and so does Dak
The biggest surprise of this contest came from the Patriots offensive line, considered by many to be the weak link of the franchise.

Small-business grants to apply for this month
That’s one takeaway from JPMorgan Chase’s Midyear Business Leaders Outlook, which found 59% of small-business owners said they were more optimistic about their business now than at any point in the last five years. Meanwhile, about 70% of Black business owners said the same.

Tour highlights M.V. Black businesses
Live Like a Local Tours founder Collin Knight has been inspired and guided by his community throughout his career. His tours take people out of the typical tourist spots of downtown Boston and into the city’s Black and brown neighborhoods to expose them to food, business and people that make each neighborhood unique.

E. Boston resilience effort puts shoreline future in the hands of local youth
Local East Boston youth build structures out of reeds to plant marsh grasses as part of the Climate Corps Fellowship program run by Eastie Farm. In collaboration with two research groups, the fellows worked to plant grasses native to salt marshes as part of an experiment to increase coastal resilience.

Remembering James Earl Jones
When James Earl Jones passed away on Sept. 8 at the age of 93, stories and accolades poured in from everywhere. I started thinking about the impact Jones has had on the entertainment industry and the world in general.

A celebration of arts and culture at ‘Fiesta en la Plaza’
Last year, hundreds of visitors passed through City Hall Plaza for a taste of arts and culture at the inaugural Fiesta en la Plaza. Over five days in September and October, musicians, dancers, artists and revelers gathered downtown in honor of Latinx Heritage Month.

Code switching and family ties in ‘Laughs in Spanish’ at Speakeasy Stage
Prepare to giggle in whatever language suits you best during “Laughs in Spanish,” a telenovela-style comedy opening at Speakeasy Stage this month. If you’ve ever pondered a particularly abstract work of contemporary art or braced yourself before dealing with a difficult family member, this one’s for you.

World-premiere opera ‘Is This America?’ honors activist Fannie Lou Hamer
Civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer takes center stage in “Is This America?” a world premiere opera from White Snake Projects opening Sept. 20 at Dorchester’s Strand Theatre. Hamer’s work fighting for equitable voting rights is a poignant touchstone heading into the November 2024 presidential election.