March Spotlight:
Dedication Ceremony for Allah "Mathematics" Allah
(1973 — 2021)
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On Friday, March 18, 2022, the City of Boston facilitated a street dedication in memory of Allah "Mathematics" Allah to honor Allah’s passing in December 2021. Allah’s family members, vast circle of friends, and loved ones were in attendance. State Representative Chynah Tyler (Seventh District Suffolk) led the dedication, reflecting on Allah’s many contributions to the local community over the nearly two decades. Rep. Tyler and Allah’s son, Kalongie Bradley, unveiled a new street sign in Allah’s memory, posted at the corner of Dudley Street and Harrison Ave. Allah founded and operated “Everything is Real!” Barbershop in 2007, located right next to MPDC’s Hibernian Hall, located at 184 Dudley Street. Allah’s son, Kalongie, a barber himself, has taken over the family business and hopes to carry on the business for years to come.
On behalf on MPDC and the Roxbury community:
Allah will be deeply missed and we are forever grateful for his contributions to the neighborhood. Rest in peace AND in power!
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MPDC's Deputy Director, Ingrid Tucker, Nominated for Woman of the Year! |
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Madison Park Development Corporation’s very own Deputy Director, Ingrid Tucker, will be on the list of honorees for the "Future is You 2022", an event held by Boys and Girls of Boston.
Dr. Tucker’s amazing achievement accurately reflects the amount of hard work, time, and dedication that she has not only invested in the MPDC community but, additionally, throughout her career as a leader. Dr. Tucker currently serves on several boards, including the AISNE Membership (Accreditation) Team, St. John Paul Catholic School in Dorchester, and a member of the Cardinal’s Advisory Board. In addition, she served on the Board of Trustees at AISNE (Treasurer), the Montessori Schools of Massachusetts, the Board of Trustees at Chapel Hill Chauncy Hall School in Waltham, Dedham Country Day School, Boston Evening and Day Academy, Marynundo School for Girls in Rwanda, and was the Board Chair for Fellowship Christian Church in Boston. Dr. Tucker and her husband Phillip are the co-founders and Pastors of Awaken Christian Church.
Dr. Tucker has a longtime commitment to service learning in socio-economically disadvantaged communities and is passionate about children and education. She earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Journalism from Ohio Wesleyan University. During her senior year in college, she was an exchange student at Spelman College. Additionally, she received a Master of Public Administration from Clark Atlanta University and a Doctorate in Education from Boston College.
We are incredibly thrilled to have a member of our MPDC team accept such an important accolade! On behalf of the entire MPDC staff: Congratulations, Dr. Tucker!
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Real Estate Development Updates:
MPDC & Parcel P3
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On March 16th, 2022, Madison Park Development Corporation was proud to respond to The Boston Planning and Redevelopment Agency’s request for proposals for Parcel P3. Located on Tremont Street, Parcel P3 is the last vacant portion of a larger site cleared for so-called Urban Renewal in 1988. Working with HYM and another local non-profit My City at Peace, MPDC aims to deliver approximately 165 income-restricted rental homes on the site. Two of the buildings would be primarily for life sciences and health care uses, which would help subsidize the construction of the three residential buildings.
LabCentral, the Cambridge-based nonprofit provider of lab space for biotech startups, would have an incubator space with job training opportunities for Roxbury residents. The development would also include retail spaces, with an emphasis on local businesses. One of the buildings would be home to a 31,000-square-foot museum, gallery, and “policy forum” for King Boston, the nonprofit dedicated to the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King.
As a minority and women-led non-profit organization ourselves, we are also thrilled to have several other BIPOC-led business enterprises involved in the project including: DREAM Collaborative, Maven Construction, Onyx Group, and so many more!
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MPDC's Opportunity Employment Program Congratulates 3 New Graduates! |
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The Opportunity Employment Program is proud to congratulate our HiSet graduates: Jarianis, Kenya, and Ledell! We congratulate you for all your hard work and determination. Best wishes for the future! Thank you to our students, family, program partners, and MPDC staff who joined us to celebrate this important achievement in our students' lives.
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Resource Development Run Down:
MPDC Sends Thanks to Donors for Their Contributions!
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Hibernian Hall Highlights:
Move for Charity & Master Playwriting Class Showcase
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On March 19th, Hibernian Hall hosted the “Master Playwriting Class Showcase”: a showcase of 6 original short plays written by the playwrights of Hibernian Hall’s “Master Playwriting Class.” The short plays, directed by Jacqui Parker, addressed various topics. There was a Q&A session with the playwrights and the director after the showcase. The audience voted on their favorite short plays that they would like to see be turned into full-length productions.
On March 19th, Hibernian Hall hosted “Move for Charity”: an epic 45 minute-full body balanced workout combining cardio, conditioning, and strength training with live music by DJ Rilla Force! Each attendee had their own personal space at a safe distance. Part of our proceeds will be donated to Boston's Mothers for Justice and Equality whose mission is to end neighborhood violence by empowering mothers and youth to challenge the normalization of violence and become effective catalysts for change in their homes, schools, and communities. Thank you to our community for their attendance!
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Dewitt Center Partners with IMSO for Monthly Food Pantry! |
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For the month of March, the Islamic Multi-Service Organization (IMSO) held two food pantries at 724 Shawmut Ave and the other at The Dewitt Center. IMSO handed out over 350 bags of fresh fruit, vegetables, and meat to MPDC families. The food pantry is scheduled to happen every first and third Saturday of every month! Thank you again to IMSO for their consistent efforts with our MPDC community!
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Youth Workforce Celebrates International Women's Month and Debuts on Boston Neighborhood Network |
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This March, Youth Workforce celebrated International Women's month by demonstrating their cooking skills! The young men of YWF cooked a delicious meal to showcase respect for the women who are a part of the MPDC Youth Development team. They prepared a chicken parmesan feast that served over 20 people! Despite their countless doubts, YWF's upstanding young men were able to cook a delicious and nutritious meal to celebrate this amazing day!
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Mental Health Reminder for March:
Nourish, Love, and Validate Yourself!
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MPDC's Mental Health Team would like to end the month of March by encouraging our community to continue to nourish themselves, love themselves, and to validate themselves! We urge our MPDC family to prioritize their mental health always! As you navigate daily responsibilities, MPDC is here to remind you to practice self-care in every single way, daily. Please be sure to follow along with MPDC's mental health social media pages on Instagram and Facebook! They'll be sharing mental health tips, resources, check-ins, and skills weekly. Remember: Every day is an opportunity for growth! You got this, keep going, and do not give up!
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Thank you to our February 2022
Newsletter Contributors!
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Arianna Guiseppone
Erica Davis
Intiya Ambrogi-Isaza
Justina Thompson
Sandra Sierra
Tahara Samuels
Meghan Higgins
Yhinny Matos
Vinnie Viola
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MPDC's Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP)
(NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS)
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WHERE: Online and in-person (hybrid)
WHEN: July 5th, 2022 – August 26th, 2022
AGE RANGE: 14 – 19 years old
PRICE RANGE: Free!
ENROLLMENT DEADLINE: May 27th, 2022
MPDC's Summer Soheil Turner Youth Leadership and Workforce Development Program is now accepting applicants!
MPDC's STYLI Program provides underserved in-school youth, ages 14-19, with career internships, job readiness skills, and educational enrichment. Our training program is intended to provide early workforce experience for young people who might not otherwise have this opportunity while supporting them with completing academics and college readiness. We also provide organized workshops and learning experiences to develop young people's leadership skills.
APPLY TODAY!
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MPDC's Scholarship Program
(NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS)
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AGE RANGE: YOUTH, 17 – 19 years old
PRICE RANGE: Free!
ENROLLMENT DEADLINE: June 15th, 2022
MPDC's 2022 Scholarship Program is now accepting applicants!
MPDC's 2022 Scholarship Program is intended for high school seniors or MPDC participants that are graduating in Spring/Summer 2022. Potential applicants include those who are pursuing post-secondary education, degree, certification or are participating in training programs.
APPLY TODAY!
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WHERE: The Dewitt Center
(located at 122 Dewitt Drive, Roxbury, MA 02120)
WHEN: Every 1st & 3rd Saturday of each month from 11 AM to 1 PM
(for next month, April 2nd and April 16th)
The Dewitt Center and the Islamic Multi-Service Organization (IMSO) host their food pantry monthly. Canned goods, fruit, pasta, spaghetti, and more will be available for pickup! Supplies are limited. Masks and social distancing are required.
For more information, please contact IMSO at
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