February is Black History Month and, in Boston, we have a full series of events planned to celebrate the achievements of Black Bostonians — the women and men, seniors and students, veterans and clergy, business owners and activists who have been at the heart of our city’s progress and success since the beginning.
In July, Boston will host the national NAACP convention. Being named the host city for this national event was a great honor. We saw right away what an opportunity it would be to not only celebrate our city’s progress, but also to catalyze a future of Black achievement that pushes us ever closer to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream of equality, justice, and harmony. We are working closely with the community to host the greatest NAACP convention ever held. This event will be a milestone in Boston’s history and a focus of the national conversation around social justice and economic equity.
Ultimately, real change is what it’s all about. That’s why our Year of Black Excellence also coincides with major new initiatives and investments we are making in affordable housing, equity in education, access to transportation, and environmental justice. We will show that when we work to empower everyone and increase equity across our neighborhoods, our city becomes a better place for all — and we can lead the nation forward as well.
We are being bold in Boston. We have made progress, but there is much work still to be done. We are inspired by the history of individual accomplishment and community progress that Black Bostonians have achieved, often against tremendous odds.
In January, we began the year by remembering the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He led the country to greater equality and justice, but the realization of his dream is not complete. His vision continues to inspire more progress every day. That’s ultimately what our Year of Black Excellence is all about. I invite you to join us.
If you’d like to learn more, visit boston.gov/black-excellence.