MPDC kicks off 2020 Census in Roxbury
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MPDC kicked-off our
2020 Census efforts
in Roxbury on Friday, June 14th at The Dewitt Center with special guest speakers
Sarah-Ann Shaw
,
Mayor Marty Walsh
,
Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz
,
City Councilor At-Large Michelle Wu
, and
District 7 Councilor Kim Janey
.
MPDC's Census organizing comes at a critical time for Roxbury as we work for fair representation while ensuring everyone is counted during the 2020 Census. MPDC is proud to partner with the
MA Census Equity Fund
to ensure residents are engaged, educated, and empowered with information about the Census. MPDC will continue to work with elected officials, neighborhood partners, and community members to
ensure a fair and accurate count for Roxbury
.
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On Saturday, June 15th, MPDC hosted its annual Unity Day,
a fun-filled event for Roxbury residents
. Unity Day was held inside & outside of The Dewitt Center and was jam-packed with over 100 guests. Highlights of the day included a
delicious barbecue
provided by Boyce Slayman, a fun interactive
photo booth
,
face painting
, a cardio
dance class
from
TRILL FIT
. Throughout the day, residents heard from vendors including
Dana Farber’s Sun Safety Team
, the
Boston Public Health Commission,
and the
Census Bureau
. It was a great day full of laughter, dancing, and joy!
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A joyous June at The Dewitt Center
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On June 4th,
826 Boston
student poets celebrated the release of their latest book
'The Whole World is Watching'
at The Dewitt Center. The book features poems
about identity, home, and self-love.
They were joined by Boston Poet Laureate
Porsha Olayiwola
, author of the book's forward. The event featured an open mic and a book signing.
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On June 8th, the
Francis O’Bryant Mentorship Program
(FOB) celebrated 17 young men who completed the 2018-2019 program. Parents spoke about the
positive impact FOB has made on their sons' lives
. Keynote speaker, T
ony Richards Jr,
Founder of
No Books No Ball Basketball Program,
communicated the importance of mentorship and building healthy relationships within the community.
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Stay connected by following the
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Thank you to our 'Friends' & supporters!
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In June, MPDC took two opportunities to say
“THANK YOU”
to our friends and supporters!
Then on June 18th, MPDC held its 1st Annual
Donor Appreciation Event
at
Backlash Brewery
, located right down the street in Roxbury. With great music from
Fulani Haynes Jazz Experience
and delicious catering by
Ethnica Gourmet
, MPDC was thrilled to be able to
celebrate the dedicated donors who help make our work possible!
Want to join us at our next donor event?
Consider becoming a
2019 CITC supporter
! Through this program, your donation of $1,000 or more comes with the perk of a
50% state tax rebate
.
You can even make your donation in installments- a giving total of $1,000 or more by the end of the year provides you with this significant tax benefit! Contact Resource Development Manager
Kay Mathew
at for more information or
donate online today
.
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With MPDC, kids can garden too!
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More than
20 Roxbury kids have a garden to call their own
thanks to MPDC's Kids' Garden Club at Hope Community Garden! In collaboration with the
Boys & Girls Club
,
Madison Park High School
,
Friends of the Children Boston
, and the
DREAM Program
the Kids' Garden Club teaches up-and-coming green thumbs
how to plant & grow seedlings
, identify plants, and the
importance of healthy eating
. MPDC's Community Gardens are not just for growing vegetables & flowers they are also a place to grow physically & mentally.
Thanks to Harvard Pilgrim for their support of our community gardens and initiatives like the Kids' Garden Club!
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Hibernian Hall happenings in June
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From June 2nd to 8th,
Castle of Our Skins
(COOS) presented a week-long series of events at Hibernian Hall titled “
I AM A MAN 2019
.” This residency featured
film
,
spoken word
,
dance
,
history
, and
music
.
The week culminated with
'
I AM A MAN
' a concert featuring poetry, interpretive dance, multimedia, and classical music by Black male composers, including COOS 2018-2019 Composer-in-Residence
Brian Raphael Nabors
.
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On June 14th,
Boston Arts Music Soul Festival
(BAMS Fest) in partnership with Hibernian Hall hosted the
State of Black Music and Art In Greater Boston
. This two-part conversation featured
Dyana Williams,
Co-Founder of Black Music Month, and a lively panel discussion with
music historians
,
arts educators
, and practicing
artists of color
focusing on the current condition and future of Black music and the arts at a local & national level.
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On June 15th, Philadelphia native
Bilal
Olivier hit the Hibernian Hall stage and gave Bostonians a soulful set of music to vibe to. Guests enjoyed the ambiance of jazzy blue and yellow lights while an imitate crowd of
soul lovers sang along
to hit tunes such as “Soul Sista” & "Fast Lane."
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Hibernian Hall has been selected as a host venue for the 2nd annual
Fierce Urgency of Now (FUN) Festival
to be held the first weekend of September, highlighting
performances by young emerging artists of color
. Stay tuned for more information!
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Stay connected by following Hibernian Hall!
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2101 Washington Street wins Preservation Achievement Award
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MPDC purchased this property in 2011 and rehabilitated it into a mixed-use building with retail on the street level and 30 residential units above.
This commercial building is
part of the original fabric of Dudley Square
. Since its construction, the building has played a central role in the culture of Dudley Square, and it has become a symbol of the neighborhood. Built in stages starting in the 1880s and into the early 1900s, the structure is actually three buildings pieced together over time. For many decades it housed the ethnic supermarket and neighborhood anchor
Tropical Foods
.
“With this project, MPDC demonstrates that buildings carry valuable elements of community memory and sense of place for neighborhood residents. Their investment here not only provides critical affordable housing and retail opportunities for local businesses but
bolsters community pride through the connections between past present and future
," says Greg Galer, Executive Director of the Boston Preservation Alliance.
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A Tea Party at Hope Community Garden
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MPDC's 4th Annual
Garden Tea Party
was a fun, festive, and colorful time for all on June 8th. Guests enjoyed a
healthy meal
, a
smoothie recipe contest
, and silly games. The highlight of the Tea Party is
always
the
fashionable hats
that the gardeners and their guests proudly wear while they enjoy a day in the
beautiful Hope Community Garden
.
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With a mix of gratitude and sadness,
MPDC's Board of Directors accepted Jeanne Pinado’s resignation
effective December 31, 2019. Jeanne played a critical role in the growth and success of MPDC.
We can’t thank her enough
for her dedication, passion, and enthusiasm she has given over the past 20 years.
Underway is a CEO search conducted by
Ann L Silverman Consulting
. The ideal candidate brings an appreciation for the legacy of MPDC’s founders and for the last 50 years of community development, as well as their ideas for moving the organization forward.
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2019 MPDC Board Elections
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We are pleased to announce the results of
MPDC's 2019 Board Elections!
At its annual meeting in June, MPDC
elected three new members:
Gloria Brooks, Karleen Porcena, and Bob Terrell.
Returning board members include
Malik Aziz, Matt Camp, Roger Carter, Elmer Freeman, Sonrisa Haynes, Eric Hall, Ayanna Hines, Dion Irish, Lisa Morishanti, Ivelise Rivera and Nina Ruff.
The board elected the following officers:
Lisa Morishanti, Board President, Ivelise Rivera, Vice President, Roger Carter, Treasurer, and Nina Ruff, Clerk/Secretary.
Please join us in welcoming new officers and directors!
The board
reflects the diversity of the Roxbury community
, with 93% of the board either African-American or Latino. The majority of members live in Roxbury or Dorchester; 29% of members reside in MPDC developed properties in Roxbury.
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MPDC Staff Spotlight:
5 Questions with Yaritsa Sanchez
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As a way for our community to learn more about our staff members, we have started the '5 Questions' series. These monthly interviews in our newsletters feature five random questions with a new MPDC staff member.
This month we are chatting with Youth Workforce Program Coordinator,
Yaritsa Sanchez
.
1. How did you land at MPDC in the Youth Workforce Program?
YS:
Youth development for me started my sophomore year in college. I was a participant in the Tisch Scholars Program at Tufts University, a leadership development program designed to help students build the skills they need to address pressing social issues in various industries. Through this program, I was able to work with youth at
Sociedad Latina
,
The Center for Teen Empowerment
, and
Boston Mobilization
in Cambridge facilitating workshops where young people get to dive into social issues that directly impact them at schools and in their homes. This work that has challenged me and has required that I dig deep into my experiences and privileges to have strong, meaningful connections with the young people I serve. No matter how many times I think about trying something new in my career, the young people I have the privilege of interacting with always give me a reason to stay in this line of work.
2. Where is your favorite place to go to in Roxbury?
YS:
I love
Dudley Café.
It’s such a homey space to get work done, and they have amazing rice bowls.
3. What is your favorite thing, so far, about working at MPDC?
YS:
My favorite thing thus far is being a part of a team of individuals who are deeply committed, reflective, and intentional about this work. This makes showing up for our young people and doing the work I need to do to better support them a lot easier and enjoyable.
4. What are your plans for the summer?
YS:
I plan to drink
plenty of water, soak up as much sun as a humanly possible, travel, and spend much-needed quality time with friends and family!
5. What do you hope for the future of Roxbury?
YS:
I immediately think about how gentrification is pushing people out of this community, closing down businesses, and shifting the overall culture of Roxbury. There’s so much love and life in Roxbury, despite these challenges. I hope that in the future, the community of Roxbury finds ways to hold on to and uphold its authenticity and cultural significance.
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MPDC 4th of July Celebration at the Community Garden
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Join MPDC to celebrate the 4th!
WHEN:
Thursday, July 4
7:00 pm - 10:30 pm
WHERE:
Hope Community Garden
(55 Malcolm X Boulevard, Roxbury)
Madison Park Development Corporation invites you out for a night of entertainment, food, fireworks, and fun!
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Orchard Gardens Resident Engagement Cookout Tour
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Join us for food, fun, and learn about MPDC's Resident Engagement work!
WHEN:
Thursday, July 11
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
WHERE:
Island between Albany St. & Dearborn St.
Madison Park Development Corporation invites all Orchard Gardens residents for a fun cookout series. Learn about MPDC's civic and resident engagement work and share a meal with your neighbors!
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MPDC's First Time Homebuyers Class
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Ready to buy your first home? MPDC's First Time Homebuyers Class can help!
WHEN:
Saturday, July 13 & 20
9:00 am - 1:30 pm
(122 Dewitt Drive, Roxbury)
Are you Interested in starting your first time home buying journey?
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SAVE THE DATE: Sparks for Arts
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Sparks for Arts – November 1, 2019 – SAVE THE DATE!
Be sure to mark your calendars for MPDC's Annual Gala celebration where we will
celebrate arts
,
culture
, &
community and support MPDC
. You don’t want to miss it! Watch for information online and in the mail coming soon.
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