Buy the Block & celebrate Unity Day with MPDC & Black Market! |
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Black Market and MPDC are both celebrating pivotal milestones in 2021 with Black Market celebrating its fourth birthday and MPDC commemorating its 55th Anniversary. In February, Black Market and MPDC announced a unique equity-centered partnership with the purchase of the building, which is home to Black Market located at 2136 Washington Street with technical support from the City of Boston. There is a lot to celebrate!
Black Market & MPDC are pleased to announce the ‘BUY THE BLOCK PARTY: UNITY DAY EDITION’ on Saturday, June 12th from 1 to 6 pm on the refreshed Black Lives Matter Street Mural in Nubian Square between Eustis and Palmer Streets.
BUY THE BLOCK: UNITY DAY EDITION is a day to celebrate Black-ownership in Roxbury will feature live music, food, artists, non-profits, small businesses, and vendors in the district. The highlight of the event will be the repainting of the Black Lives Matter mural originally painted in 2020. The Community-driven social-justice-oriented street mural kicked off the Nubian Square Public Art Initiative last July led by Black Market during the racial reckoning and height of the Global pandemic of 2020.
This event honors the broader vision of economic self-sufficiency for Roxbury, where local ownership directly blocks speculation and displacement and ensures future development that will focus on investments in businesses, art, and culture in our community. ‘Buying the Block’ represents a key strategy that results in sustainable economic development and builds equity that directly addresses the wealth gap in our community.
This year, MPDC marks 55 years since its founding. MPDC was born out of both an innovative vision for the future and necessity during an era in which the Roxbury community faced unprecedented challenges grounded in racial and economic injustices. MPDC will also be celebrating National NeighborWorks Week during the event.
“In February, Black Market and MPDC announced a unique equity-centered partnership with the purchase of the buildingat 2136 Washington Street, home to Black Market, with technical support from the City of Boston. As we celebrate the 55th anniversary of our founding, it is incredibly meaningful to be fulfilling our mission through a unique relationship with a mission-driven entity organization like Black Market. Chris and Kai’s ability to be the change they want to see directly honors the legacy of our founders’ vision for a community-owned and built by its residents,” Leslie Reid MPDC CEO reflects.
Black Market was launched in 2017 by long-time Roxbury residents and entrepreneurs Kai and Christopher Grant to reignite the creative economy of Roxbury. “We carry the cultural torch of Afro-centered institutions like A Nubian Notion established in 1968 by Malik Abdal Khallaq in addition to Ujamaa Mart, International Roots, and the Black Rep Theatre into the future. Roxbury is moving into a new dispensation and the long-time residents are, once again, leading a game-changing renaissance in the heart of the City."
For more information contact MPDC Resident & Community Engagement Manager Dwayne Watts / 617.849.6326
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MPDC Resource Development Updates |
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Are you interested in becoming a supporter of MPDC's Soheil Turner Youth Leadership Institute programs? Your gift can support the 130+ young people whom MPDC provides paid internships, leadership development, mentoring, and academic support annually. Donate now or contact Kay Mathew, Resource Development Manager for more information.
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Thanks to the Community Investment Tax Credit Program (CITC) in 2021, we are happy to offer 50% state tax rebates on donations to MPDC of $1,000 or more. Please consider investing in our programs this year and enjoy this exceptional benefit. If you find you don’t owe state taxes, your rebate will be returned to you as a check. Help MPDC strengthen its important community-building programs in Roxbury by making a generous donation and, expect a benefit in return!
Donate now or contact Kay Mathew, Resource Development Manager for more information.
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We are happy to announce continued substantial CITC-level support in 2021 from Boston Private for 2021, an intrepid supporter whose confidence in our programmatic work has cemented a long-term relationship. We are grateful to Boston Private for its extraordinary support and kind contributions.
Thomas Nutt-Powell has provided unique assistance to MPDC by producing valued and trusted property CNA’s. Now he has come to us as a major donor through CITC, for which we are incredibly grateful, in recognition of MPDC’s 55th anniversary!
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We are happy to announce receipt of several recent grants, each of which help make our programs stronger and even more connected to the community:
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A NeighborWorks America grant to assist with the costs of MPDC’s Unity Day in partnership with Black Market’s BUY THE BLOCK PARTY on June 12th
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A second NeighborWorks America grant in support of our 8-week Resident Leadership Training workshop for nine resident leaders, held this Spring
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A Rockland Trust grant in support of MPDC Strategic Planning: Through a Racial Justice Lens
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A Boston Children’s Hospital grant to ensure implementation of two summer programs – Summer Rox (youth recreation at Madison Park Village) and Kid's Garden Club at the HOPE Garden on Malcolm X Boulevard, each led by MPDC's Community Action team
We are so grateful and proud of the faith that these funders put in MPDC's ongoing work!
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Call for Artists & Request for Proposals |
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Deadline Extended:
June 4, 2021
Project Summary: We are pleased to announce that in celebration of its 55th anniversary as a Lower Roxbury community builder, Madison Park Development Corporation (MPDC) will coordinate the creation of a major mobile mural as a public art project for the neighborhood. Led by a local artist-educator, the project will be implemented with the assistance of a crew of up to 6 young people. MPDC seeks an established artist-educator to lead this exciting mural project in Nubian Square, Roxbury beginning June 1 with project completion on or around September 1, 2021.
Eligibility: This request is open to all artist-educators in the city of Boston with a preference for those familiar with the Roxbury neighborhood, with experience working with young people, and possessing a portfolio that includes completed, successful mural making or other public art project(s).
Compensation: An average of 12 hours a week for up to 14 weeks is anticipated. The schedule includes collective planning, design, and execution of the mural. The artist-educator will be compensated for three months of work, paid in three parts: retaining fee, mid-July, and balance of payment at the completion of the project.
Deadline for Submitting Application and Materials: June 4, 2021
Selection Process: Selection will be made according to the following criteria: artist statement; quality of work samples, high-level experience as artist-educator; experience and history of work in and around Roxbury, MA.
Submission guidelines: Please submit your c.v., an artist statement, and sample work, including public art projects you have completed.
Artist Statement: The required artist statement should be a one-page statement that addresses interest, relevant artistic experience and experience as an arts educator, your philosophy of public art, and your thoughts about murals and mural making as a collective process.
Sample Work: Up to 12 JPGS (only JPGS) of recent work (1200 pixels on the long side), no older than 4 years. Labeled: First initial, last name; title; identifying number or title; jpg.
Other Materials: Artists are asked to include one or two media reviews of past projects and/or exhibits or other relevant accomplishments.
These must be in pdf or word doc format except for your work samples which must be jpg’s.
We are excited to hear from you!
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Cleaning up with National Grid |
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We always love new Friends!
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This year we’ve welcomed several new & many renewed members of The Friends of Hibernian Hall. Hibernian Hall’s Advisory Committee continues to grow and help attract donors and members alike. It’s never too late to join, and your benefits include reduced pricing and special upcoming events. For more information, contact Kay Mathew, Resource Development Manager.
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Congratulations to the graduates of MPDC's Pre-Employment
Starbucks Workshop Series!
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MPDC's Opportunity Employment Program is proud to have had ten students finished the most recent Pre-Employment Worskshop for a career at Starbucks. Five students have passed the ServSafe Certification test, and four students have interviewed with Starbucks and are awaiting the next steps. Four more students are presently scheduled for interviews. To help these new employees, MPDC assists in purchasing their uniforms and has a stipend program that gives each student a Charlie Cards for two months after they are hired. MPDC closed out the Workshop Series with a Zoom celebration on May 13th.
Congratulations to all of the graduates!
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Summer Programs at The Dewitt Center |
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The Dream Program seeks to help close the opportunity gap for youth living in low-income housing by pairing them with college mentors in hopes of creating an intentional, lasting relationship. The Dream Program is currently accepting applications for their Summer Program starting on June 21st through August 13th. Please Contact Melissa Maharaj for more information.
The 3Point Foundation is a free Summer learning academy for middle school Boston Public School students that integrates project-based learning, athletics, and other activities. Enrollment is now open. Apply here!
For more information about Summer Programming at The Dewitt Center, contact The Dewitt Center Program Coordinator Arlene Baldwin.
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During July and August, this public-private partnership serves nearly 4,200 Boston youth ages 6-15 through programming held in many municipal parks and a few Department of Conservation and Recreation locations across the city. This dynamic program is offered free-of-charge on summer weekday mornings and afternoons.
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The Hope Community Garden is intergenerational, and all of the gardeners are excited for the vegetables they're growing this season. Gardeners, including kids, adults, and older adults, have been growing and enjoying the garden since the beginning of Spring. At Hope Garden, everyone is learning gardening prowess, health education, and price comparison skills (growing your food vs. buying it). Access to the garden is within walking distance from home for most of the gardeners. We welcome you into space not just for the harvest but also for fun with your family. Come and see how our garden grows at the Hope!
For more information or to sign up for a garden plot, contact MPDC's Health Equity & Wellness Coordinator Leslie Stafford / 617.946.6460.
Special thanks to Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation for their third year of support through the Healthy Food Fund!
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Ruggles Street Reconstruction Project |
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As part of the Ruggles Street Reconstruction Project to create a Safe and Complete Neighborhood Street, Safe and Attractive Walking Environment, Comfortable Bicycling for All Ages and Abilities, Walking and Bicycling Connections to Neighborhood Gathering Places The Boston Public Works Department will host a Pre-Construction Virtual Meeting on Wednesday, June 2, 2021 from 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM, and an Outdoor Open House on Saturday, June 5, 2021 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM.
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MPDC's 2021
Scholarship Program Deadline is
Friday, June 11th at 5 pm
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Each year, through the Ralph Smith, Danette Jones, and Haynes Family Scholarships, MPDC helps several deserving students from Roxbury offset their college education costs.
Several college-bound applicants from Roxbury are selected annually by MPDC to receive scholarships toward each recipient's college tuition and expenses. MPDC's college scholarship program was established by a bequest from Ralph Smith's estate, our co-founder and first Executive Director, and a gift made in honor of Danette Jones, our second Executive Director. These scholarships make a meaningful difference in the lives of our young residents.
Interested in learning more about MPDC's 2021 Scholarship Program?
Contact MPDC Youth Workforce Manager, Yhinny Matos / 617.849.6236.
The deadline for applications is 5:00 pm on June 11th.
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MPDC & Trinity Financial partner on Crescent Parcel to bring 177
new homes to Roxbury
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MPDC & Trinity Financial are proud to announce their proposal for the development of the Crescent Parcel located at the corner of Tremont Street and Melnea Cass Boulevard, near Ruggles Station.
The planned mixed-income, mixed-use development for this site will bring much-needed affordable housing, cultural vitality, and economic support to Roxbury. This project has many community benefits, including the addition of new, mixed-income rental and for-sale residences, 80% of which will be affordable to households with incomes from 0 to 100% of the AMI. The plan for approximately 12,000+ square feet of commercial space for public community-based organizations, including a new resource center – the Roxbury Real Estate Center – designed and seeded with more than $1M to help residents in the community. This Center will be dedicated to increasing residents' net worth and building wealth through Home Ownership Assistance, & Small Business Mentoring, and Tenacity, a youth-development organization focused on creating equitable access to educational and fitness opportunities in underserved communities. The proposal includes a public realm plan that is organized around a new public park and the preservation and enhancement of Roxbury’s trees.
Lastly, the proposed project, which will create over 900 construction and permanent jobs, will provide environmentally resilient and healthier housing for residents of the project and the community at large. This development team has worked with local stakeholders and listened to their feedback, resulting in a heightened focus on improvements to the project. This is particularly evident regarding parking accommodations, safety, access, retail, and commercial concepts, substantial open space, and tree preservation and enhancement.
“Trinity Financial and Madison Park recognize that many in the community and the City have worked tirelessly over many years to put together a vision for the property’s redevelopment. That vision is one where families of differing incomes live in dignity and quality housing together. It is a vision where opportunities and services are provided to increase the net worth of Roxbury residents and businesses, particularly people of color and women. It is a vision of a public realm that is vibrant, community-oriented, and preserves and enhances Roxbury’s trees. We share that vision and have made it the foundation of our proposal.” says Patrick Lee, Trinity Financial Principal.
MPDC's CEO Leslie Reid notes, "As MPDC celebrates its 55th Anniversary, it is especially meaningful to have the opportunity to develop the Crescent parcel, consistent with an RFP that has incorporated community feedback. This parcel of land represents one of the final pieces of reconstruction after the long legacy of urban renewal. MPDC is also proud and excited to work with a strong and successful partner in Trinity Financial, building upon our two organizations' successful work in delivering excellent community development projects at Orchard Gardens and Davenport Commons. We are extraordinarily excited about the future of this important site."
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Thank you to our May 2021
Newsletter Contributors!
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Etai Belinky: Last month's interview with Marlene DaCosta, Health and Wellness Specialist at the new Wellness Room at Smith House was conducted by the intrepid Etai Belinky, Senior Community Coordinator at Madison Park Village. We want to thank him for the interview and his critical help in getting the Wellness Room up and running this year!
Arlene Baldwin
Javier Gutierrez
Kai Grant
Kay Mathew
Kelly Ransom
Leslie Stafford
Meghan Higgins
Yhinny Matos
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Madison Park Development Corporation & Origin Property Group invites you to our 84 Warren Street Info Session
WHEN: Wednesday, June 3rd
6 pm
WHERE: On Zoom
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