St. Cyprian’s marks 100 years as Roxbury’s Black Episcopal anchor
At the corner of Tremont and Walpole streets, St. Cyprian’s Episcopal Church stands as a century-old symbol of faith and community for Boston’s Black and West Indian residents. The congregation formed in the early 1900s, meeting in the parlor of Ida Gross on Northampton Street.

New ordinance requires steps to protect workers from extreme heat
That local legislation requires the city of Boston and its contractors to develop a heat illness prevention plan that would include providing employees with opportunities to access shade, water and rest as well as to receive training on heat-related illness and develop response plans in case of emergency.

Councilors block police surveillance technology
“I think there’s a sliding scale between public safety and civil liberties,” said District 6 Councilor Ben Weber, who voted against approving the technology. “None of us want to see civil liberties trampled on.”.

Labor activists take to the streets
Boston’s union movement took to the streets Monday, breaking with the local tradition of Labor Day breakfasts held at a downtown hotel.

City Council holds hearing on HBCU satellite campus
Worrell said he approaches the process with a handful of goals. For one, he said he hopes it will improve outcomes for Black students in Boston Public Schools through seeing exposure to the universities’ alumni base and potential partnerships if an HBCU ends up in the city.

Biotech workforce development programs push forward amid industry slump
President and CEO Kendalle Burlin O’Connell addresses attendees at group’s annual conference in April 2024. In August, the life-sciences trade group released a report on the state of Massachusetts’ biotechnology industry, which saw reduced hiring in the past year.

It’s time to show up and vote Turnout matters now more than ever
Boston holds its biennial preliminary election on Tuesday, Sept. 9, at a time the independence of cities to police their streets and the due process rights of everyone in the country are under threat from the current administration in Washington, which appears to think a president’s powers know no bounds Donald Trump must respect.

“Trump needs to know we will stand up for our rights.”
“We must stand up for our community and choose people who will push back on the militarization of our streets..

IN THE NEWS
Daliza Nova has joined the Urban College of Boston as the associate vice president of workforce development.

Media, and press freedom: we must restore these cornerstones of democracy
In an era of disinformation, misinformation, political polarization and eroding trust in institutions, the vital role of an independent press cannot be overstated.

I beat the odds and made it to law school. Others won’t get the chance
These are just tuition costs — you still have to come up with money for living expenses. Even students with merit aid are often forced to take out loans for housing, food and school materials. The average law student takes out $30,000-$40,000 per year..

One year since Carney and Nashoba closures, gaps in service are clear
While the bankruptcy led to the sale of five Massachusetts hospitals, its lasting impact is most keenly felt in the communities around the two other Steward hospitals that closed at the end of August 2024: Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Ayer and Carney Hospital in Dorchester.

On Toni Morrison
Of all the artists that I have come to understand as having a profound impact on arts, life, understanding our values, a sense of heritage and the powers particularly of literature, it’s Toni Morrison.

Trump vs. Lisa Cook: Same old playbook, same old misogynoir
Former First Lady Michelle Obama, Former Vice President Kamala Harris, Former Georgia House Speaker Stacey Abrams, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, Reps. Jasmine Crockett of Texas and Maxine Waters of California.

NDUR: A new way of life for athletes
“NDUR for Athletes” is an organization founded on the principle of supporting young athletes in navigating the pressures of high school and college athletics. NDUR started in 2022 and has grown to become a significant player in addressing the physical and mental challenges that college athletes face daily.

College football season gets off to a rousing start
The defending national champion Ohio State, No. 3 in the Associated Press rankings, and the University of Texas, the preseason No. 1 team according to the AP poll, squared off in Columbus, Ohio. When the smoke cleared, the Buckeyes came out on top by the final score of 14-7.

Vineyard backdrop for series on Black entrepreneurs
In 2024, funding for startups with Black founders reached a multiyear low, with only 0.4% of all funding going to startups with a Black founder or co-founder.

Pro athletes learn to build wealth beyond sports through real estate program
“It’s essentially the same curriculum that we have in our legacy program but just delivered in a different way. We’re going to be substantially heavier in the case study approach.

Innovation with intention: The power and diversity of Black-owned ventures
Tonya Pledger, founder of Love Your V by T, represents a growing movement in wellness entrepreneurship that elevates Black women’s health.

Five Boston restaurants with live music
This swanky bar and restaurant, from the team behind Darryl’s Corner Bar & Kitchen in the South End, hosts live music every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The lineup of predominantly Black artists runs the gamut from jazz and funk to R&B. While you’re enjoying the music, order Southern-inspired dishes like shrimp and grits and catfish bites.

Get ready to party at Cambridge Carnival
Rooted in African traditions, the festive and colorful celebration brings out thousands of attendees each year. This year’s will be held at University Park in Central Square Carnival on Saturday, Sept. 6 from noon to 4 p.m. and Sunday, September 7 from 11 a.

EMBRACE MASSÓ ¡CON SALSA! INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL
According to the City of Boston Planning Department statistic released in April, “Spanish is the most prevalent second language in the city with 104,259 speakers, concentrated in East Boston.” The U.S. Census Bureau in 2025 noted that Dominicans make up the largest group of these speakers, followed by Puerto Ricans and then Salvadorans.

Rose Art Museum debuts first major survey of Fred Wilson’s work in more than a decade
Entering “Fred Wilson: Reflections” at the Rose Art Museum in Waltham feels a bit like walking through a portal into an alternative universe. The room is adorned with elaborate chandeliers, intricate glass mirrors and classical statuary but the deep dark tones and congested design of each piece give everything an eerie, off-kilter feel.

Trilogy of plays tells story of Kittie Knox, famed Black cyclist
Plays in Place is a local theater company known for its site-specific, historically based performances. The company is about to debut a trilogy of plays performed in a most unusual way: on bikes. Produced in collaboration with Mass Bikes, “The Kittie Knox Plays” tell the story of a pioneering Black female bicyclist and Cambridge native.

The Essence HBCU Classic
The Essence HBCU Classic weekend was filled wth a variety of events, including a step competition (won by the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity), and 16,000 ecstatic fans in Harvard Stadium, some of whom were treated to the game by Boston’s New Edition..