MPDC's MWBE Contractor
Relief Fund Launched
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MPDC is proud of its partnership with
Life Science Cares
, which
has allowed MPDC to create a dedicated relief fund for MWBE contractors in the City of Boston that have been impacted by COVID-19
. In addition to a matching commitment from MPDC, Life Science Cares' investment has already helped MPDC leverage
additional matches
from donors. The fund launched on June 4 and we are proud to begin highlighting some local minority contractors who have already benefited from these critically-needed grants.
Fire Code Design
(Ronette Taylor)
– As the first African American woman to become a Master Plumber in the City of Boston, Ronette has made a name for herself and her firm, Fire Code Design (FCD), for the last 14 years. FCD is a full-service fire safety/fire extinguisher company servicing both residential and commercial clients.
K&K Cleaning
(Kimberlin Broglin)
– “I just hated being looked over,” said Kimberlin when asked about why she created K &K Cleaning. A member of Local #223 for six months, Kimberlin knew she could offer the construction industry more by launching K & K Cleaning. Formed in 2013, K&K Cleaning is a full-service commercial and residential cleaning company servicing many developments in Roxbury, Dorchester, and Mattapan.
Rise & Shine Contract Cleaning
(Lois Reason)
– “We Don’t Cut Corners; We Clean Them!” is the best catchphrase to describe the success behind Lois Reason’s Rise & Shine Contract Cleaning. With twenty years of experience in servicing construction developments in Greater Boston, Rise & Shine Contract Cleaning has declared itself a leader in the industry. With loyal clients like
Crosswinds Enterprises, Inc.
and
John B. Cruz Construction Company
, Rise and Shine Contract Cleaning demonstrates its ongoing commitment to Greater Boston.
Congratulations to the first round of recipients!
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Aging in Community at Smith House in Madison Park Village
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MPDC is excited to report the establishment of a
Wellness Room at
Smith House
is underway
! The project was proposed by Smith House residents who wanted an
accessible way to stay healthy
by participating in physical fitness activities. MPDC’s commitment to sustaining aging in community for its older residents has resulted in a long-standing food distribution program and a powerful partnership with
Boston Medical Center
(BMC)
, which supports on-site healthcare staff to Smith House residents. When
The Wellness Room opens
, it will feature scheduled exercise classes, individual support and training, and access to weight-bearing exercise machines tailored for older adults. A committed group of MPDC & Smith House staff, BMC Health Navigators, and a consultant from
2Life Communities
meet weekly to plan and oversee room alterations, staffing needs, equipment purchases, and program schedules. We are grateful for everyone involved in this project, including
WinnCompanies
and
Enterprise Community Partners
&
HUD Section 4
funding, which supports staff time for the project.
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As always, we
thank you for your support!
Your donation to MPDC in 2020 will make an
essential impact
on our communities.
We need your assistance as we stand with residents contending with a rapidly evolving economy.
Your donations bolster MPDC resident and stakeholder partnerships to
work collaboratively for environmental justice
and
support local
artists
,
first-time homebuyers
, aspiring
construction laborers
, and
minority & women-owned contractors
. Remember, a $1000+ donation is eligible for a
50% state tax rebate
through the Community Investment Tax Credit Program. Contact
Kay Mathew
, MPDC Resource Development Manager, for more information.
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Hibernian Hall's 'Magnificent Eight'
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On June 30th, Hibernian Hall's Play-Writing LAB directed by Jacqui Parker premiered
"The Magnificent Eight,"
a Festival of Ten Minute Plays written by the eight members of the Hibernian Hall Play-Writing LAB.
The playwrights' works were presented to the
Friends of the Hibernian Hall
and others in a special Zoom reception, which included a talk-back with the artists.
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Stay connected by following Hibernian Hall!
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MPDC Youth take on the 2020 Census
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This Spring, Youth Workforce participants engaged in workshops with Civic Engagement Fellow,
Eva Ackerman
, that focused on
the
2020 Census
and its immediate impact on funding and political representation
. With support from Eva and Youth Workforce Coordinator,
Yaritsa Sanchez
, the youth brainstormed ways to
increase outreach and participation
through memes (
like the one seen here
) and videos that highlight how a lack of response to the 2020 Census impacts funding for healthcare, education, food access programs, transportation, and affordable housing. Stay tuned to MPDC's social media accounts for the memes and videos!
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MPDC's 5th Annual Garden Tea Party...indoors!
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On Saturday, June 27,
40 neighborhood gardeners and residents
came together virtually for MPDC's 5th Annual Garden Tea Party with
music
,
games
, and a
beautiful display of hats
. The annual Tea Party, spearheaded by Health Equity & Community Wellness Organizer
Leslie Stafford
, celebrates the Hope Community Garden and its gardeners as builders of community unity in Nubian Square.
NeighborWorks America
sponsored the event, a long-standing partner of MPDC that provides funding for our programs, technical assistance, and professional development as we "
Building Strong Communities Together Every Day
." We were delighted to welcome several special guests, including
City Council President Kim Janey
and
Boston City Councilor At-Large Annissa Essaibi-George
,
Harvard Pilgrim Foundation
's Mike Devlin
, and
NeighborWorks America's Michael Williams
. The party's highlights included two competitions, a contest for the Best Hat and Most Creative Hat, and a Smoothie Contest. Guests watched a
fantastic slide show
from last year's Tea Party and, after visiting over Zoom, bid each other goodbye with the hope that the next Tea Party will be back in the Hope Garden in person.
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Exciting MPDC Funder Highlights
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We are also excited to begin partnering with
Transportation for Massachusetts (T4MA)
on their Transportation Justice initiative. Funds received from T4MA will allow MPDC to
conduct leadership development workshops and resident engagement
efforts to foster the capacity of MPDC residents and community members as built environment & transportation advocates.
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New Hire Updates from MPDC's Workforce Diversity & Development Team
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This month we recognize...
- Vito Gray, a 2018 graduate of MPDC’s OSHA-10 class. Tara Construction recently hired him as a Laborer.
- Shan Parker, a lifelong resident of Roxbury. He recently accepted a job offer with Perfect Interiors, a subcontractor working at Haynes House – an MPDC development.
Congratulations, Kevin, Vito, and Shan!
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In case you missed it...
A statement from MPDC
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June 3, 2020
I want to acknowledge the deep and difficult feelings raised over these past days. The police brutality we are witnessing is nothing new to Black Americans, but the visibility of our daily reality is being amplified more than ever before in our country’s history. I can only hope and believe that we will continue to work together to dismantle over 400 years of systemic oppression at the core of American history.
While I do not have words adequate to express the anguish of bearing witness to our people’s ongoing murders, I would like to share some perspective.
The reality is this – While most of us do not personally know George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade, or the countless other Black lives unfairly taken from us, we all share the pain of their loss deeply. The systemic racism that our communities have faced for centuries is unjust and inhumane, and
must change, now
!
The exhaustion of the continuous response to violence and inequities inflicted on Black lives weighs heavily on us all. But together, we will persist because our dignity will prove to be unshaken, even in the face of the most recent and brutal injustices. We are strong. We are resilient. We will continue to persevere in forcing the systems that oppress us toward change. We are uncompromising when we scream, “Not one more.”
For nearly 55 years, Madison Park Development Corporation has been rooted in Nubian Square and the Lower Roxbury community, dedicated to creating a place where Black lives are valued, honored, and celebrated.
The legacy of MPDC is entrenched in residents, activists, and allies coming together to foster a vibrant, healthy Roxbury neighborhood that supports Black lives’ well-being and advancement. I want to express on behalf of MPDC our sincerest gratitude for every individual, resident, partner, and ally that has worked with us to foster a dynamic community that celebrates and respects our Black lives in so many important ways.
In the face of these mounting and painful challenges, on behalf of MPDC, we pledge our ongoing and unwavering solidarity, with our staff, residents, youth, artists, community gardeners, seniors, business owners, minority and women-owned contractors, community partners, local coalitions, and all of our Roxbury neighbors, to continue to reimagine new ways to build communities that demand the protection and respect of all Black lives.
We will never be robbed of our virtue.
We are not torn down by this.
Our dignity persists.
Not one more.
In Solidarity,
MPDC Chief Executive Officer
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Summer Online Movement Series
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Join Hibernian Hall and
VLA Dance
for a summer of movement!
WHEN:
Mondays & Wednesdays
July 6th to August 12th
Hibernian Hall and
VLA DANCE
are excited to collaborate on the
Summer Online Movement Series
, a weekly mixed-level movement class for youth and adults taught by the professional dance artists of VLA DANCE. Classes include yoga, conditioning, and contemporary dance practices. All classes are taught on both Mondays and Wednesdays online and will be designed for small indoor spaces. Registration is free but donations are accepted.
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Community Spotlight at Hibernian Hall
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Hibernian Hall's weekly live stream featuring our community partners, local artists, & special guests!
WHEN:
Mondays at 2 pm
Join Olawumi as she checks in with artists and community members to learn how they have remained inspired during COVID-19.
Hibernian Hall's Community Spotlight Schedule for July
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What can you do to support racial equity right now?
1. Learn and reflect:
- Are you centering the perspectives of Black people, Black women, and Black LGBTQ+ individuals?
- Are you doing the work yourself without placing emotional labor on Black people to educate you or validate your efforts?
- Are you utilizing your platform, networks, privilege, and access to engage more people in anti-racism work and provide more visibility to organizations dedicated to racial justice?
- Are you critically exploring any feelings of shame, guilt, fear, and discomfort that may arise as you explore how other systems of oppression, such as capitalism and militarism, interact with racism?
2. Advocate for change within your workplace by asking:
- Is there equitable Black representation within your organization’s leadership?
- Did your workplace, school, university, or institution release a statement condemning racism and anti-Blackness?
- Are they taking steps to address inequitable outcomes for their employees, stakeholders, and community?
- Are they taking steps to support Black employees?
- Do they or have they pledged to partner with Black businesses and suppliers?
- How is your workplace investing in diversity, equity, and inclusion?
- Refer your organization or members of your leadership team to InclusionBoston and LeadBoston.
3. Take individual action:
View YW Boston's 2020 Reading List
here
.
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