Summer is officially here and with the anticipation of warmer weather also comes the excitement of several events and celebrations. 

While June is the marker for the beginning of summer, it is especially recognized for celebrating Father’s Day, Juneteenth, and Pride Month. 

I am also excited to share that I will join a speaking panel at this year’s Men’s Mind, Body & Spirit Summit on June 28th. To learn more about DeeDee’s Cry and the event, see below. 



Last month, in partnership with Meet Boston, we hosted the Third Annual Regional Career Fair at the Hyatt Regency Boston. The event attracted 500+ job seekers and 80 Meet Boston partners. In addition to this level of engagement, the receipt of over 1300 resumes made this Meet Boston Career Fair the most successful one to-date. The high level of interest was not limited to the job seekers alone. Many of the employers represented were highly impressed by the quality and enthusiasm of the attendees.

the spot.

If you missed the event, click here to get a quick overview of the day. You can also see more photos and videos on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn!  

We appreciate your support and continued engagement with CHA.

-Conan Harris

I had the pleasure of joining Hilina Ajakaiye of Meet Boston and Bill McAvoy of the Supplier Diversity Office at the Tourism Destination Marketing District (TDMD) All Hotel meeting to discuss our Supplier Diversity & Workforce Development Initiatives. TDMD aims to expand economic growth within the tourism and hospitality industry for the Tourism Districts in Massachusetts. 

Our work upholding the P.A.T.H. Workforce Development Initiative continues and we’re pleased to share our progress to-date:

• 41 candidates submit applications through the portal
• 22 candidates are currently active
• 53 job applications submitted
• 30 interviews
• 5 job placements
• Over 250 contacts with CHA staff & applicants

In terms of partnerships, there are:

• 30 Host Site Partners
• 25 Community Organization Partners
• Over 250 contacts with Partner organizations
• 26 in-person meetings with stakeholders

Although the work so far has been challenging, the challenges represent learning opportunities and we are adapting and adjusting our process to meet them. To address these challenges and opportunities, CHA and Meet Boston co-host a well attended monthly drop-in Zoom meeting for site partners where we discuss questions and concerns or simply provide more information.

With your engagement and support, we have made significant progress. Help us keep up the momentum by sharing the P.A.T.H. flier with your networks and with anyone you know is interested in a career in tourism and hospitality, or direct them to this page to apply.    

In our efforts to help shape the framing of the improved Client Relationship Management (CRM) for Meet Boston, we’re delving deeper into the process by gathering additional information about their existing platform. The information and feedback gathered to-date from MB partners has further clarified some of the desired outcomes from the enhanced CRM.



Moving forward we will:

• Expand the discovery process with MB’s leadership team to identify critical KPI’s;
• Curate the list of data needed by MB;
• Provide Meet Boston with recommendations for the Request For Proposal (RFP);
• Draft the RFP based on the stated goals; and
• Circulate the final RFP to a minimum of seven to nine supplier diversity online management platforms.

We aim to collect RFPs and announce the vendor by the end of July. 

Stay tuned for updates in next month’s newsletter.

This month we’re pleased to feature TaskForce member Abrigal Forrester, Chief Executive Officer of Teen Empowerment (TE).

Abrigal Forrester is the CEO of The Center for Teen Empowerment, Incorporated. 

TE helps low-income, BIPOC youth hone their understanding of the social problems they face and use their insight and skills to create change in their own lives and in their communities. Working in Boston and Somerville, MA, and Rochester, NY, TE employs youth ages 14 to 19 as the leaders of social change initiatives to positively influence the values and behaviors of their peers with the goal of lowering crime, violence, and self-destructive behaviors. 

Abrigal is a lifelong resident of Boston who grew up in the Codman Square section of Dorchester, MA, an area that was once considered to be Boston’s death corridor due to the high incidents of violent crime in the neighborhood. Like so many of our youth, he faced difficult challenges and choices as a young man and found himself disconnected from positive opportunities. 

Abrigal's experiences underscore the importance of his passion and work with youth.  Click here to learn more about Abrigal and Teen Empowerment, and how they amplify the voices of youth to change the trajectory of their lives and their communities.

Father's Day:

In addition to honoring our dads, grandfathers and father figures on Father’s Day at Franklin Park Zoo, explore other ways to celebrate the special men in our lives with other fun events. 

Pride Month:

In honor of Pride Month, Boston Pride For The People will host the festive Boston Pride Festival and Parade, which includes a block party and more. 

Juneteenth:

We’re especially honored to commemorate the final legal declaration of the freedom of all enslaved people on Juneteenth. From the multitude of events hosted by Embrace Boston to the Hyde Park Juneteenth Joy & Roxbury Homecoming Juneteenth Celebration event, click here to see other exciting family events taking place throughout the month.  

This edition proudly highlights the URBAN LEAGUE OF EASTERN MA (ULEM). For over 100 years, ULEM’s services have enabled adults in Eastern MA to overcome racial and social barriers, economic inequities, sexual and domestic violence, while also bridging the gap to employment and economic development opportunities.

 

To learn more about ULEM, click here.

Host Site Partners share their job vacancies to encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds. The initial placements will span three months, with the ultimate goal of transitioning individuals into permanent roles, while providing support throughout the process. In addition, we will offer a professional development series to equip participants with essential skills to thrive in the sector.

Our Host Site Partners include:

Would you like to share your expertise and knowledge with the future workforce of the community?

We will be hosting sessions on the following topics:

• Effective Communication
• Time & Project Management 
• Leadership 
• Collaboration & Teamwork
• Stress Management
• DEIB / Cultural Competencies

Contact path@conanharrisassociates.com to get involved.

Thank you for your continued interest in, and support of, the good work CHA continues to drive toward sustainable growth, equity, and power to our communities of color.

To see previous newsletters, click here.Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to stay informed about the great things happening in our city!

Thank you,

Conan Harris

Founder & Principal