From the Desk of Executive Director
Robert George
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I am so thrilled with everything we accomplished this summer.
We kicked off the month on July 15 by celebrating Open Streets Roxbury, a special day where the City of Boston made streets walkable, bikeable and rollable for people to enjoy small businesses and the Roxbury community. Children and their families had a phenomenal time checking out all the booths and entertainment activities.
Roxbury Main Streets has also been working hard to install new Nubian Square banners across downtown Roxbury. The update was needed, and the new banners bring out the community’s colors inspired by the African Diaspora. It has been amazing to see them installed so quickly thanks to our partners at the City of Boston Office of Small Business, Public Works Department and Boston Main Streets. Keep reading this newsletter to see photos of the banners.
And remember to visit Nubian Markets on Washington Street! The small business’ market, café and butchery have healthy and cultural food options for everyone.
Reserve your spot! On Thursday, September 21, from 8am to 10am, Roxbury Main Streets is hosting its annual Women’s Business Breakfast at the Bruce C. Bolling Building in Nubian Square. Special speakers include president of the NAACP Boston Branch, Tanisha Sullivan, and the City of Boston's director of small business, Aliesha Porcena. You can purchase tickets at this link. Roxbury Main Streets hopes Nubian Square’s amazing women will be in attendance.
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And save the date on Saturday, December 2 for Roxbury Main Streets’ annual Holiday Gift Distribution and Tree Lighting in the Square.
Families in the community gather and celebrate at the event with face painting, food, entertainment — and often, a visit from Boston Mayor Michelle Wu. Join us!
We are seeing environmental improvements in Nubian Square thanks to our city partners in public health, public works, police, inspectional services and transit police, as well as community organizations. Warmer weather brings more people, but our community organizations are ready to provide each and every individual with the resources they need.
Exciting announcement — Roxbury Main Streets is starting up its weekly small business and community walkthroughs again! If you would like to help revitalize Roxbury’s commercial district and get to know the area, community partners are welcome to join our weekly Nubian Square walkthroughs on Thursdays, starting at 11:30 a.m. in front of the Nubian Square bus terminal Dunkin’.
Thank you to the community, our partners and the Roxbury Main Streets board of directors for your dedication and commitment to our organization and Roxbury as a whole. And special appreciation to The Rockland Trust Foundation, The Boston Foundation and The New Commonwealth Fund for supporting Roxbury Main Streets and the community. Revitalizing Nubian Square takes a village, but our collective efforts have proven invaluable.
Until next month.
Sincerely,
Robert M. George, Executive Director of Roxbury Main Streets
#RoxburyLove
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Savor the Square 2023
Saturday, August 19 and more
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Join us at the Peace, Love & Gospel Fest on the Roxbury Branch Library Plaza!
Savor the Square is Nubian Square’s seasonal open-air marketplace, featuring events and a broad selection of Black and Brown vendors for food, music, entertainment, arts, crafts and civic resources.
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Thank you, The American City Coalition, for bringing Roxbury Main Streets on as a partner! |
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July Savor the Square: Roxbury Culture and Music Festival |
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Women's Business Breakfast
Thursday, September 21
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Reserve your spot!
On Thursday, September 21, Roxbury Main Streets will host its annual Women's Business Breakfast at the Bruce C. Bolling Building.
Special speakers will include the president of the NAACP Boston Branch, Tanisha Sullivan, and the City of Boston's director of small business, Aliesha Porcena.
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Donate to
Roxbury Main Streets
Click below to make any level of donation.
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Other Events in the Community |
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Poetry in the Park
August 16 and more
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Food for the Soul is hosting Poetry in the Park across from Roxbury Heritage Park on 10 Putnam Street!
The poetry events include family play night on Fridays, Sunday night poetry and storytelling on Monday nights.
Join on any of the dates for free! And enjoy complimentary food from Food for the Soul.
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Airport Rental Car Supplier Diversity Outreach Day
Tuesday, August 29
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The Massachusetts Port Authority ("Massport") is inviting small business owners across Boston to the Airport Rental Car Supplier Diversity National Outreach Day!
The event will inform small businesses about the upcoming opportunities at Massport. Massport is dedicated to ensuring the participation of diverse businesses in its economic activities.
Contact Massport's Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for questions: DEI@massport.com or (617) 568-3190
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Small Business Walkthrough Group Celebrates Digital MBTA Board in Nubian Square
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On sunny July 6, Roxbury Main Streets celebrated the new MBTA digital billboard located in the Nubian Square bus terminal! The board includes important updates, information and events.
Thank you to our partners at the MBTA for making this happen, as well as inspectional services, public works, MBTA and Boston Police, public health, Boston Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Services and more. We invite you to check out the new board, and of course, our small businesses in Nubian Square!
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On July 15, the City of Boston hosted Open Streets Roxbury! The Mayor's Office closed off Blue Hill Avenue to cars for children, families and visitors to walk, roll and play in the Roxbury community. Thousands of attendees visited countless booths from local vendors and community organizations, including Roxbury Main Streets! It was a joyous day. |
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Summer Beautification Program |
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Roxbury Main Streets' annual Summer Beautification Program is continuing all summer long, adding vibrancy to Nubian Square. Many thanks to the Eastern Bank Foundation and Boston Gardner, as well as the City of Boston Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion and Office of Small Business.
We are building a thriving community, together! #RoxburyLove
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If you've gone down Dudley Street recently, you've noticed new banners! We have been working hard since spring to create and install new banners across Nubian Square that read "Nubian Square: The heart and soul of Roxbury."
These banners are integral to revitalizing Roxbury, and we can't wait for them to be all over the Square! Thank you to our funding and creative partners for support making these banners come to life.
In addition, much appreciation to the City of Boston Office of Small Business, the Public Work Department and Boston Main Streets for supporting the ongoing beautification of Nubian Square.
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Congratulations, Gallery EyeCare!
Boston Chamber of Commerce
Small Business Award
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Nubian Square's own Gallery EyeCare LLC on Washington Street received the small business award from the Boston Chamber of Commerce in the community and impact category!
Since 2014, Gallery EyeCare LLC has been a leading provider of optometry services and vision care products in Roxbury. The doctors at their Roxbury optometry office specialize in diagnosis and treatment, committing to helping their patients and customers achieve strong vision and an improved quality of life. With a strong commitment to the community, Gallery EyeCare LLC continues meaningful community initiatives, including free blue light glasses for students at Boston Public Schools and free eye care services for people experiencing homelessness.
Congratulations, Gallery EyeCare LLC, for your recognition by the City, and thank you for serving the Roxbury community.
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INVITATION TO JOIN
The Roxbury Main Streets Board of Directors
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Congratulations, VP
of Roxbury Main Streets Board of Directors
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Museum Medals Honor Islanders Who Make a Difference
The Martha’s Vineyard Museum held its 100th annual meeting Monday evening, bringing together board of directors, museum members, staff and volunteers, and three guests of honor who received this year’s Martha’s Vineyard Museum Medal.
The recipients are Lisa Belcastro, Richard Taylor and Craig Dripps.
Click here to continue reading the story by the Vineyard Gazette.
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JOB OPPORTUNITIES
in Nubian Square
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Register Your Rental Unit! |
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OUR MISSION
Roxbury Main Streets works hands-on with residents, local businesses, developers and government agencies to accomplish our mission of making Nubian Square — the heart of Roxbury — a vibrant and diverse commercial district that supports local and minority-owned businesses, creates jobs for local residents and engages the Roxbury community. Roxbury Main Streets takes action in a number of ways, from offering small businesses technical support and financial training, to helping local health agencies house the homeless and treat substance use. We help businesses in the Square adapt to the ever-changing market and our growing Roxbury community.
Revitalizing Nubian Square takes a village, and Roxbury Main Streets proudly brings together passionate partners who share our mission and help us make a long-lasting difference.
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GET YOUR BUSINESS CERTIFIED |
You can apply for certification with the City of Boston's Equity and Inclusion Office if your business meets certain qualifications.
Click here for more information.
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Roxbury Main Streets Board of Directors |
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Haris Hardaway, President
Richard Taylor, Vice President
Norvia Peña, Secretary
Carlos Castillo, Treasurer
Solmon Chowdhury, Angela Yard, Brian Keith, Kamran Zahedi, Ella Howard, Toy Burton, Ronnette Taylor, Misha Thomas, Kai Philip, Monica Dean, William Watkins, Ted Lewis
Robert M. George, Executive Director
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