You are "Invited" to the "Public Comment & Testimony" Meeting for the City of Boston Task Force on Reparations - Wednesday, June 7th, 2023 from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm at the Bruce Bolling Municipal Building in Nubian Square ---- Your Individual Comments, Suggestions, and Feedback are Welcomed! Join Us!
Dear Community Members, Young People, Residents, and Community Leaders:
I am personally inviting you as a Task Force Member of the City of Boston Reparations Task Force to our first "Public Comment and Testimony" Meeting on Wednesday, June 7th, 2023 from 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm. This will be held in person at the Bruce Bolling Municipal Building, 2nd Floor - School Committee Room, 2300 Washington Street, Roxbury, MA 02119 in Nubian Square. This is an open meeting and all members of the public are welcome to participate and comment. Again, this is an in-person meeting.
I am sending this meeting notice and the personal flyer I made for you to invite others and promote this meeting. Last month, I advocated for this "Public Comment and Testimony" meeting. The purpose is to give you a brief update. But most importantly as a Task Force, we want to hear your comments, concerns, and suggestions at the start of this important reparations work we plan to do in the City of Boston. We really need you to come in person and participate. I also suggest that if you have written testimony, it should be sent directly to reparations@boston.gov for the record.
Again, our agenda for this meeting is quite simple:
Meet the Task Force Members
Hear our Proposed Timeline and for you to give us comments and insight on our process.
Hear your individual comments, suggestions, and feedback
Here is the notice of the Public Meeting for Wednesday, June 7th, 2023 from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm at the Bruce Bolling Municipal Building in Nubian Square. This is an in-person meeting. Here is the notice: https://www.boston.gov/public-notices/16032941
Again, I am following what has been instructed in the ordinance as our duties and responsibilities. The City of Boston Reparation Task Force's duties and responsibilities are the following according to the ordinance passed in December 2022. (PDF enclosed): The Task Force shall:
A.) In partnership with additional scholars and experts, research and document the city's Boston's role in historical ties to the slave trade and the institutions and legacies of slavery.
B.) Assess the City of Boston's actions to date to address continued impacts.
C.) Develop a community engagement process to openly and directly share findings and information with residents and community members.
D.) Collaborate with the administration and City Council to recommend the next steps for truth, reconciliation, and reparations addressing the City of Boston's Historical involvement.
If you have any questions, please call 617.635.2532 or direct your questions to reparations@boston.gov. A City of Boston staff member will assist you.
Sincerely,
George (Chip) Greenidge, Jr.
Member, City of Boston Task Force on Reparations
P.S. I have decided to assemble the following links, information, and articles to keep you aware of our activities. Please review.
HERE IS THE BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON THE CITY OF BOSTON REPARATIONS TASK FORCE (links):
Here is the notice of the Public Meeting for Wednesday, June 7th, 2023 from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm: https://www.boston.gov/public-notices/16032941
Here is the RTF website: https://www.boston.gov/equity-and-inclusion/task-force-reparations
Here is the City Ordinance signed by Mayor Michelle Wu in December 2022: https://www.boston.gov/sites/default/files/file/2023/02/Reparations%20Ordinance%20%282%29.pdf
Here are the Reparations Task Force members' bios: https://www.boston.gov/equity-and-inclusion/task-force-reparations#task-force-members
Here are the copy of the minutes from the last meeting(s) pending Task Force Members' official review and approval.: https://www.boston.gov/equity-and-inclusion/task-force-reparations#meeting-materials
HERE ARE NEWS/PRESS UPDATES ON THE CITY OF BOSTON REPARATIONS TASK FORCE:
Boston Globe: Boston's Reparations Task Force commences work to study lingering impacts of slavery and 'repair harm' https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/02/07/metro/mayor-wu-announce-members-bostons-reparations-task-force-tuesday/ Boston Globe: Wu appoints Reparations Task Force https://www.boston.com/community/the-b-side/wu-appoints-reparations-task-force/ NBC News: Boston appoints members to its new Reparations Task Force https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/boston-appoints-members-new-reparations-task-force-rcna69738 WGBH: Wu reveals members of the new Boston Reparations Task Force https://www.wgbh.org/news/politics/2023/02/07/wu-reveals-members-of-the-new-boston-reparations-task-force
The City of Boston Task Force on Reparations will focus on:
Working with a research partner to release a study on the legacy of slavery in Boston and its impact on descendants today.
Engaging the community throughout the process to include input from lived experience.
Providing recommendations to the Mayor for reparative justice solutions for Black residents.