Juneteenth ride, walking tour to honor cyclist Kittie Knox
Katherine “Kittie” Knox, born 1874 in Cambridge, was a pioneering and skilled biracial cyclist and seamstress at large during the Reconstruction Era. She gained national and international acclaim for challenging the misogyny and racism entrenched in Boston’s cycling circles.

Healing, wellness event at the Strand
Now in its second year, Harmony and Healing is a celebration that uses the arts — from music to dancing to storytelling — to help individuals and communities process trauma.

Social service leaders discuss keys to economic mobility and sustained wealth
Due to rising living costs, persistent income inequality and diversity, equity, and inclusion rollbacks, communities of color are experiencing growing economic anxiety, which Children’s Services of Roxbury (CSR) addressed in a event about the role of healing and stability in securing economic mobility.

This year’s budget battles tested the City Council’s authority
The City Council’s process for this year’s budget has been among the most eventful in recent years, starting with a 6-6 deadlock on whether to reject it and send it back to the mayor and including several demonstrations, one of which resulted in police removing eight protestors from the floor of the Iannella Chamber.

Nonprofit leaders honored for work in food, housing access; youth, senior services; addiction support
After opening remarks by CEO Jim Klockeof MCN, emcee duties were handled by NBC 10’s Hannah Donnelly. The Nonprofit Excellence Awards were established to raise attention… for “ordinary people doing extraordinary things,” she said. “Even on the tough days, we all know that you are making a difference.

“African Teams are the new kings of the pitch this year!”
“African Teams are the new kings of the pitch this year!”.

More world in the World Cup
There’s more of the world in the soccer World Cup this year. The quadrennial tournament has expanded to a record field of 48 teams, up from 32 four years ago. The field is more representative of the world by population and continent, though still less than exactly so, with Asia in particular being shortchanged.

IN THE NEWS
Ms. Theresa Clarke has been elected to the Harvard Board of Overseers. Ms. Clarke is a distinguished global executive and board member whose career is defined by historic firsts, deep corporate governance expertise, and an unwavering commitment to institutional stewardship.

Helping our seniors with the cost of living
It happens one bill at a time. The grocery bill gets a little higher. The heating bill stretches a little further. The cost of medicine, home repairs, insurance, and property taxes keeps creeping up.

New bill challenges school vaccine loopholes
This is where motherhood intertwines with my role as the director of Massachusetts Families for Vaccines. In this role, I’m an advocate not just for my child, but for your children as well.

Faith leaders withdraw $2 million more from Citizens Bank in continued protest of detention center operators
Rev. John Edgerton, senior minister of the Old South Church, speaks at a press conference hosted by the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization. The religious coalition withdrew funds in protest of the bank’s support of two private prison companies that detain migrants.

Long-pending sale of Edgar Benjamin delayed again
A status conference in Suffolk County Superior Court on June 18 was supposed to mark the sale of the Edgar Benjamin Healthcare Center and its operations.

Augmented reality program aims to spotlight Black Revolutionary-era stories
What she discovered was a larger story, one that stretched beyond Attucks to include generations of Black men and women such as the abolitionist and founder of Black freemasonry Prince Hall and Elizabeth “Mumbet” Freeman, the first woman to sue and win her freedom from enslavement.

Hoops and Hits: 3Point organization, The Record Co. receive $225,000 grants from Cummings Foundation
Among local leaders in these practices are the 3Point Foundation and The Record Co. The former has been using the popular sport to support young people in the Greater Boston area, while the latter is a community creative space and recording studio that encourages residents across generations to share their stories and songs.

Massachusetts officials come together to address environmental justice at first joint summit
The summit, the first one jointly held by the two offices, allowed the state to expand scale of the event, according to Maria Belen-Power, Massachusetts undersecretary of environmental justice and equity.

Jazz Urbane Cafe will have an Afro-diasporic menu with all the range of Duke Ellington
At the corner of Warren and Washington streets in Nubian Square, a lively new dinner and dancing destination beckons. Jazz Urbane Cafe, a longtime passion project at the intersection of music, food and gathering opens this summer.

Movie night celebrates Caribbean American Heritage Month
According to the Authentic Caribbean Foundation’s website, this nonprofit organization is “dedicated to transforming the lives of Caribbean children impacted by disabilities.” The foundation drives “meaningful change — advancing advocacy, increasing awareness and uplifting individuals with disabilities across the Caribbean and diaspora.

Boston 2026: BAMS Fest takes on the city
Fifteen events all over town and in Brockton, Somerville and Cambridge offer live music, poetry readings, dancing, a skate party, live mics, award ceremonies, World Cup watch parties and of course, lots of delicious food. You can watch and listen. Or let yourself go and participate.

250 YEARS OF QUEER BLACK JOY!
Eilakeisha Spencer, deputy executive director of the Boston LesBiGay Urban Foundation and executive producer of Boston Black Pride, says the celebration is slightly scaled back this year due to the FIFA World Cup and other competing events. One notable difference is that there won’t be a Boston Black Pride parade as there has been in past years.

Book ban bill likely headed to Gov. Healey’s desk
Massachusetts may soon join a dozen other states in enacting a law aimed at standardizing the process for removing books from a public or school library, commonly known as an anti-book ban law.

Media maven Tiffany Cross comes to Boston
Her business acumen is outstanding. Highlights include hosting her previous news show, The Cross Connection on MSNBC, which averaged 4.

BECMA business group gives $325K to minority-owned businesses as tourism surges
Nicole Obi, president and CEO of the Black Economic Council of Massachusetts, has been the head of BECMA since January 2022. Under her leadership, the advocacy group has supported hundreds of Black-owned businesses in the Bay State, including 400 in 2023 alone.

2026 Bridge Awards
Right photo: Tyree S. Browne, Principal of the Oscar Micheaux Family Theater Program Company, Robert Lewis, Jr., President of the Boston Boys and Girls Clubs, and Haywood Fennell, Sr. Founder of the Oscar Micheaux Family.

Juneteenth Picnic
Saturday, June 20, Franklin Park came alive with the sounds and smells of barbecue and celebrations honoring Juneteenth Freedom Day. Omega Psi Phi and Delta Sigma Theta were two Greek organizations taking part in the festivities by preparing food for the community.

Roxbury International Film Festival
The Roxbury Film Festival is celebrating its 28th year, kicking off the event with sports films, on Oakland native Bill Paterson and a biography on sports legend Clyde Best, pictured on left with teammate Ade Coker, and the film’s director and producer Dan Egan (center).

Juneteenth Flag Raising
Several Juneteenth flag-raising events took place in Boston. The Juneteenth Flag was first flown here in Boston — in Roxbury Heritage State Park. Created by Ben Haith, the flag was first raised in this park in 2000..