I am deeply thankful. To the residents of Roxbury, Dorchester, the South End, and Fenway—thank you for the confidence you placed in me and for the opportunity to serve District 7. I step into this role with humility, gratitude, and great optimism about what lies ahead.

District 7 has always been a place of vision and vitality. It is where faith communities anchor neighborhoods, where culture and creativity flourish, and where generations of families have built lives rooted in resilience, love, and pride. This district has never waited for permission to lead—it has always led by example.

My journey to this moment has been shaped by that spirit.

I grew up learning that service is not about titles, but about showing up. That lesson guided my work as a pastor, a housing advocate, and a lawyer—and it will guide me as your City Councilor.

The future of District 7 is full of promise. We are a district rich in talent, wisdom, and possibility. Young people are organizing and imagining what’s next.

Elders are carrying forward histories that deserve to be honored and protected. Small businesses, artists, and community leaders are shaping what a thriving, inclusive Boston can look like.

As we move forward together, my vision is grounded in partnership.

First, I will listen before I legislate. My administration will be rooted in neighborhood engagement—meeting people where they are, not where City Hall is most comfortable. The voices of tenants, homeowners, small business owners, and young people will shape our priorities.

Second, I will fight for stability and opportunity. Housing security, ethical governance, public safety grounded in care, and real economic pathways are not partisan issues—they are moral ones. I will bring every tool I have, from policy to prayer, to ensure District 7 is not left behind.

Third, I will lead with integrity. Trust in government is fragile, especially in communities that have been historically marginalized. I intend to earn that trust through transparency, accountability, and consistent service.

I want a District 7 where residents are active participants in shaping decisions, where community voices help set priorities, and where the government works as a true collaborator. I believe deeply that when people are heard and respected, stronger solutions follow.

I am excited about the work ahead—strengthening neighborhoods, expanding opportunity, and building a district where families can put down roots and thrive. This is a moment to imagine boldly and to move with purpose.

I come to this office with an open heart, a listening ear, and a steady commitment to serve every corner of District 7. Together, we have the chance to build something enduring—grounded in our values and guided by our shared hopes for the future.

That commitment to partnership begins with listening—deeply, intentionally, and at the neighborhood level. In the coming weeks, I will be launching a series of Ward-level Community Listening Tours across District 7. These gatherings will be open, accessible forums where residents, block by block, can share their concerns, hopes, and ideas directly with me and my team. From Roxbury to Dorchester, from the South End to Fenway, we will create space for honest conversation about what is working, what is not, and what must change.

These listening tours are not symbolic—they are foundational. Too often, policy is crafted far from the lived experiences of the people most impacted by it. I believe our city is strongest when governance flows from the ground up, shaped by the voices of tenants facing displacement, parents navigating our schools, small business owners keeping our commercial corridors alive, young people envisioning their futures, and elders carrying the wisdom of generations. These conversations will directly inform my legislative agenda and help set clear, community-driven priorities for my first term.

Importantly, these sessions will be about more than identifying problems—they will be about co-creating solutions. District 7 residents are not simply constituents; they are partners in shaping the future of our neighborhoods. I want to hear not only what you need from City Hall, but how City Hall can better show up for you—with respect, responsiveness, and results.

This approach reflects how I have always understood leadership: not as something done to communities, but with them. This is not about me as your new Councilor, but we. By grounding our work in listening, we can move forward with clarity, unity, and purpose— building policies that reflect our shared values and honor the lived realities of the people who call District 7 home.

Please be on the lookout for invitations for tour dates in the coming days and follow updates via @CounciorCulpepper on Instagram.

Miniard Culpepper leads District 7 as a City Councilor and is a Senior Pastor of Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church. He was formerly part of the New England Regional Counsel for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).