Madison Park Development Corporation ​ has been monitoring the guidance from the public health community designed to limit the spread of COVID-19 and taking measures to ensure the safety and well-being of all our staff, residents, program participants, and partners. 

In response to directives from the City and State, MPDC has suspended all programming and closed our office, The Dewitt Center,​ and Hibernian Hall​ to the public until further notice .  We will continue to monitor new information in order to decide when to re-open these spaces and resume programming. We will keep you updated on any new information in the coming weeks.

Although our physical spaces are closed, MPDC, Dewitt Center , and Hibernian Hall staff are available by phone & email during this time. Please contact us at 617-541-3900 o r [email protected] . Check here specific staff contact information.
We will be sending bi-weekly emails comprising of updates, digital event announcements, and a variety of COVID-19 related resources.

MPDC's Health & Wellness Team
in action!
MPDC's new partnership with EatWell (and their partnership with Commonwealth Kitchen ’s CommonTable program) has allowed us to deliver over 100 free & healthy meal kits to our residents and the Roxbury community . Thank you, EatWell, MPDC’s Health & Wellness Team , Security Service Specialists , Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare Foundation , Commonwealth Kitchen, and the City of Boston for their support in the distribution of more than 300 servings of food for households in need!
While practicing social distancing,  Leslie Stafford , MPDC's Health Equity and Wellness Organizer worked with Kids' Garden Club (KGC) member, Rilee, to plant her seedlings at home . Before joining the KGC in 2019, Rilee struggled with eating vegetables for quite a while, but since she became a member of the KGC, her vegetable consumption has greatly increased!
Lovin’ Spoonfuls  is  dedicated to facilitating the rescue and distribution of healthy, fresh food that would otherwise be discarded  throughout Greater Boston and beyond every weekday. They connect community resources by  linking grocery stores, produce wholesalers, and farms to local meal programs  and social service entities serving those in need.

With our continued partnership with Lovin' Spoonfuls, we continue to deliver over 100 bags of groceries to MPDC residents and families in need every week. MPDC has proudly partnered with Lovin’ Spoonfuls since 2018 and is grateful for the work they do to promote healthy communities. Thank you, Lovin' Spoonfuls!
Energized MPDC Youth staying enthusiastically engaged
during COVID-19
This past couple of weeks, MPDC's Youth Development Team has been keeping our youth participants enriched and engaged with a variety of energizing activities! Some highlights include:

  • A food security and systems workshop led by MPDC's Community Planning Manager, Chavella Lee-Pacheco

  • An online shoe design workshop where youth created their sneaker art. Thanks to Nonfiction Community for their partnership at this event!

  • A mask-making workshop to educate youth on the importance of personal protective equipment (PPE)
Thank you to MPDC's Community Action Program funders!
MPDC continues to be inspired by its network of funding partners and their commitment to responding to emerging community needs. Here are a few additional examples we want to highlight!

MPDC is incredibly grateful for both  Berkshire Bank Foundation  and  Hamilton Company Charitable Foundation's  investments in the 2020  Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) . This is Berkshire Bank's second year of SYEP support, while Hamilton Company Charitable Foundation has been a committed SYEP funded since 2018. During these unprecedented times, their support will help ensure that MPDC can provide high quality, paid summer employment, and enrichment experience .

We would also like to again thank  Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation  for its COVID-19 response related efforts. Thanks to additional funding provided by HPHCF, MPDC has been able to launch a new meal program (mentioned above) in partnership with  EatWell , for MPDC residents and constituents in need.
Increase Your Impact with CITC!
We are proud that the  Commonwealth of Massachusetts  has awarded MPDC with  Community Investment Tax Credits  to encourage major giving.

Thanks to ongoing advocacy by  Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations , the commitment of the MA Legislature, and Governor Charlie Baker, we are able to offer this incentive to taxpayers. You can even designate your CITC contribution to a particular program  such as  Madison's Train 2 Trades Program ,  The Dewitt Center , MPDC's  youth programs ,  resident leadership projects,  and  Hibernian Hall .

We are pleased to say we’ve already begun to secure significant contributions from donors who will be able to take advantage of the 50% state tax rebate made available through their gifts of $1,000 or more. A donor can be an individual, a nonprofit, a business, or a corporation. Please,  Consider becoming a CITC donor to MPDC today!  You can make your  donation here  or contact  Kay Mathew   for more information.
We are happy to announce that longstanding supporter, Dellbrook JKS , is our latest CITC donor this year, making a very generous contribution in support of MPDC's Workforce Diversity & Development Program . We extend our sincere gratitude to Dellbrook!
MPDC works with its long-standing partner  NeighborWorks America as we build strong communities together every day. NeighborWorks is a congressionally chartered nonprofit supporting community development through grants, training, and technical assistance with a network of more than 240 community development organizations throughout the country. Watch for upcoming NeighborWorks Week virtual events in June including MPDC's Virtual Garden Tea Party!
TONIGHT!
Hibernian Hall presents:
A Moment with Treva Holmes
Join Hibernian Hall & Treva Holmes on Facebook Live!

WHEN:   Friday, May 22
8 pm

WHERE:  Facebook Live

Roxbury’s own Treva Holmes is a singer of a wide range of music, including gospel, pop, house, and, his favorite, R&B. 
Hibernian Hall presents:
TEAMARRR
Join Hibernian Hall online for a live performance by TeaMarrr !

WHEN:   Friday, May 29
8 pm

WHERE:     Facebook Live & 

TeaMarrr, from Boston, Massachusetts, is the first artist signed to Issa Rae’s new label Raedio . Through music, TeaMarrr aims to empower women. Along with her new album releasing on May 29th, TeaMarrr is featured on the soundtrack for HBO’s show Insecure . Check out her hit singles “ Kinda Love ,” “ Temperature ,” and “ Cool Enough ” on all streaming platforms.
Hibernian Hall's weekly live stream featuring our community partners, local artists, & special guests!

WHEN:   Mondays beginning June 1st at 2 pm

WHERE:     Facebook Live

Join Olawumi as she checks in with artists and community members to learn how they have remained inspired during COVID-19.
SAVE THE DATE:
MPDC's Virtual Garden Tea Party
We're moving our Garden Tea Party indoors!

WHEN:   Saturday, June 27
11:00 am - 1:30 pm

WHERE:  On ZOOM - Register for details.

Part of NeighborWorks Week
Summer Online Movement Series
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 classes 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.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Guidance and directives from the  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  (CDC),  Massachusetts Department of Public Health  (DPH), and other state agencies related to COVID-19 can be found  here .

Governor Baker and Lieutenant Governor Polito unveiled additional details related to the  four-phase reopening  of the Massachusetts economy. Please view the  Reopening Advisory Board report  to learn more about the discovery process and the  framework  for the phases of reopening.

Phase One of the reopening will include some retail operators. Hotels and restaurants will follow in Phase Two (with restrictions). Performance venues, museums, and bars will be a part of Phase Three, while the largest venues (arenas, clubs, stadiums) will not be permitted to reopen until Phase Four. The transition between phases will be predicated on a series of public health and testing metrics.

Check out the Commonwealth of MA's Dashboard of Public Health Indicators

Sign up for Massachusetts COVID-19 text alerts
To get up-to-date alerts sent directly to your phone, text COVIDMA to 888-777. You can also call the informational and referral hotline, 211.
______________________________________________________________
City of Boston
The City of Boston has a free texting service to provide daily updates and information about the Coronavirus. Text BOSCOVID to 99411 to opt-in for English. Language and communications access remain a priority for Mayor Walsh, so this text service is also available in Spanish, Haitian Creole, French, Cabo Verdean Creole, and Portuguese:

  • Text BOSEspanol for Spanish
  • Text BOSKreyol for Haitian Kreyol
  • Text BOSFrancais for French
  • Text BOSKriolu for Cabo Verdean Creole
  • Text BOSPortugues for Portuguese

City of Boston COVID-19 Guidelines

COVID-19 Facts & Resource Booklet
The City of Boston has developed a comprehensive Coronavirus Facts and Resources Booklet . The booklet includes information related to safety and reliable information related to COVID-19 in multiple languages. For many of us, sometimes finding reliable information in languages that reflect our community can be difficult. We hope that this resource can help to address some of the misinformation around COVID-19 and empower residents to take charge of their own safety for themselves and their loved ones. Please share it with your constituencies, providers, and partners.

Immigrants Living in the City of Boston

SPARK Boston
See their May 8th newsletter here .
See their May 11th newsletter here .
See their May 15th newsletter here .
See their May 19th newsletter here .

Help The City of Boston's COVID-19 Efforts
o    Stay home. If you must go outside, practice physical distancing from others (6 feet apart); avoid crowded places.
o    Wear a face covering if you absolutely must go outside. Face covers help reduce the risk of a person spreading the virus, especially if they are asymptomatic. Visit  CDC guidelines on face coverings  for more information and guidance. 
o    Observe the recommended curfew for everyone in Boston except for essential workers to stay at home from 9 pm to 6 am daily. 
o    Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol; avoid shaking hands.
o    Cover your coughs and sneezes; clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces; and avoid close contact with people who are sick.
o    If you think you might be sick, please call your doctor or 311 to be connected to the Mayor's Health Line 617-534-5050. Buoy Health has created a free online diagnostic tool that screens for COVID19 at  buoy.com/mass .
o    Donate supplies to first responders  here
o    Donate to the City of Boston Resiliency Fund  here
o    Fill out  the 2020 Census . The Census informs how billions of dollars in federal funds will be allocated by state, local, and federal lawmakers annually for the next 10 years. It’s more critical than ever to ensure that all Bostonians are counted. 
Madison Park Development Corporation / Census 2020
MPDC is proud to be a Census 2020 Partner!
From mid-March until the end of July, the 2020 Federal Census will take place. This is Boston’s once in a decade opportunity to get its fair share of billions in federal funding to support public resources and services. The 2020 Federal Census will also determine our political representation from Congress to the City Council. As you may know, much of the funding that comes from the Census count helps the most vulnerable among us. It provides, for instance, healthcare, public education, food and nutrition programs, affordable housing, and child care for low-income families.

The U.S. Census 
Complete on the phone: 844-330-2020 (Spanish: 844-468-2020)               
Complete online:  My2020census.gov  
 
What is the Census:
 The Census is a constitutionally required nationwide survey conducted every 10 years by the U.S. Census Bureau to count the population of the United States.   

What's at stake: 
Much of the funding that comes from the Census count helps the most vulnerable among us. It provides, for instance, health care, education, food and nutrition programs, housing, and child care for low-income families.  
In Fiscal Year 2015 Massachusetts received $16 billion for programs such as Medicaid, Medicare, SNAP, Section 8 Vouchers, Title 1 Education Grants, and Head Start.

For every resident who is not counted in MA, $2,372 in funding is missed for public programs.
Get help from a Good Neighbor!
 
Free deliveries and friendly check-ins for those at-risk for COVID-19. Get what you need safely, from a volunteer neighbor.
 
Request a Good Neighbor  or call them (877) 958-8785
______________________________________________________________

City of Boston Food Sites
The City of Boston, in partnership with Project Bread , YMCA of Greater Boston , Boston Centers for Youth and Families , and other community organizations, will provide free meals to all youth and teens at various locations and times across the City.

Please note the following important details:
  • All pick-up sites are set up to be "grab and go".
  • Practice social distancing (keeping six feet between yourself and others).
  • Stay home if you are sick.
  • Meal sites list can be found here.

Expanded Food Access for Families and Seniors
o Pandemic-EBT (P-EBT) is a special food benefit authorized by the federal Coronavirus bill. It’s available for all Boston Public Schools and Charter School students while schools are closed. Households will receive $5.70 per child per school day for the duration of school closures—or $28.50 a week per child. If families currently receive SNAP benefits, the P-EBT will be added to their cards. If families aren’t enrolled, they will get cards sent to them in the mail. Some families may have gotten their benefits last week, and everyone else can expect to receive theirs in the coming weeks. 

o Using P-EBT benefits does not impact any adult or child’s immigration status, and the Public Charge rule does not apply to P-EBT benefits. 

o If families have questions about P-EBT, SNAP, WIC or other food resources, they can call Project Bread’s Hotline at 1-800-645-8333. They can also contact the City’s Office of Food Access at 617-635-3717 or by email at  [email protected] .

o The City of Boston also continues to operate 65 youth-oriented meal sites, which are open every weekday with weekend meals available on Friday. Eight of these sites serve youth and adults in East Boston, Dorchester, South Boston, Mattapan, and Brighton, Mission Hill, and Egleston Square, which is easily accessible from Roxbury and JP. By the end of this week, we will have added an additional 8 sites in East Boston, Charlestown, Dorchester, Jamaica Plain, Mattapan, Hyde Park, and Roxbury, almost doubling the number of meals available to adults. For hours and locations, visit the  Food Resources Map  on Boston.gov or call 3-1-1.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Pandemic EBT (P-EBT)
InP-EBT, or Pandemic EBT , is a federal program. The Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA), in collaboration with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), received approval to operate this program in response to the COVID-19 related school closures. P-EBT provides food supports to help families with children who were receiving free and reduced-price school meals pay for food.

For more information and outreach materials (flyers, FAQ, etc.), visit  map-ebt.org
 
P-EBT cards will be mailed to eligible households soon.

What is P-EBT?
The Pandemic - Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) Program is additional money for families to buy food while schools are closed due to COVID-19.  
Families will get $5.70 per child per day for every day school is closed.
Using P-EBT does NOT impact you or your child’s immigration status. The public charge rule does NOT apply to P-EBT benefits. You can use P-EBT with grab and go student meal sites

Will I get P-EBT?
You will receive P-EBT funds if your child(ren): 
Receive free or reduced-price meals under the National School Lunch Program
OR
Attend a school where every student gets free meals  

Look for a letter in the mail from the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) in May. 

If you think your household qualifies but you do not get a letter by late May, call Project Bread’s FoodSource Hotline at 800-645-8333.
______________________________________________________________
In their ongoing efforts to assist our community during the COVID-19 pandemic, Elevate Boston in partnership with Wilahmena’s Place and The Breakfast Spot are helping to fight food insecurity by providing families in need with food care packages, toiletries, and essential information.

Grab and Go Foodcare Packages are available for pick up Tuesdays and Fridays from 12 pm -3 pm at 1544 Columbus Ave, Roxbury.

Registration on-site or
Pre-register here . 
City of Boston
The Mayor’s Office of Public Safety has launched a series of online activities for youth and young adults across the City of Boston.

Department of Youth Engagement & Employment
A comprehensive list of resources for youth can be found here .
 
Emergency Childcare
Emergency programs are being made available to emergency workers on a limited basis who have no other option for childcare during this public health crisis.
 
As part of the   Commonwealth’s Emergency Child Care program , some locations have been approved to operate as Emergency Childcare Programs. These providers and locations are listed on the   Commonwealth’s Early Education & Care   site. 

Social distancing is important in preventing the spread of the COVID-19 virus, but staying home is not always fun or easy. During these stressful times, it is more important than ever to take care of ourselves and those around us. CopeCode Club is a campaign that supports Boston youth in identifying healthy ways to cope with feelings that stressful situations like the COVID-19 response produce. Over the next several weeks, youth are invited to join others across the city in practicing positive coping skills from the comfort of your own home. 
______________________________________________________________
Boston Public Schools
The Boston Public Schools has created a page with resources by grade and tips   for at-home learning.

Free Art Kits 
Boston Public Schools will begin distributing free art kits to families with BPS students. Each family will receive one kit. Each kit will be distributed on a first come first serve basis.The participating sites are listed below.
Madison Park Development Corporation
Each year, through the     Ralph Smith, Danette Jones , and    Haynes Family Scholarships , MPDC helps   several deserving students   from Roxbury   offset the cost of their college education .

Several college-bound applicants from Roxbury are selected annually by MPDC to receive scholarships ranging from    $250 to $3,500    toward each recipient’s   college tuition and expenses . MPDC’s college scholarship program was established by a bequest from the estate of Ralph Smith, our co-founder and first Executive Director, and a gift made in honor of Danette Jones, our second Executive Director. These scholarships make   a meaningful difference in the lives of our young residents .

Are you interested in learning more about
MPDC's 2020 Scholarship Program or attending an online info session?
Contact MPDC Youth Workforce Manager,  Yhinny Matos      / 617.849.6236
The Boston Neighborhood Trauma Team (NTT) offer the following services for individuals, families, and communities impacted by community violence:  
  • Access to support hotline 24/7 365 days a year (617-431-0125)
  • Immediate support services for any individual impacted by community violence
  • Support for individuals and families during community events including vigils, memorial and funeral services
  • Referral to ongoing behavioral health services for individuals and families 
  • Trauma education and support at community meetings
  • Community outreach to distribute basic health information on trauma
  • Community coping/healing groups

Support is available to ALL residents who feel impacted by community violence. You can access these services by calling the hotline for immediate support or by calling a Neighborhood Trauma Team. All services are free and private.
Expressing Your World: Free Art Therapy for Youth
Zach, a Boston 6th grader, created this wonderful Art Therapy Workbook and he would like to share it with everyone. The workbook includes exercises to help young people explore their emotions and experiences, through breathing and art exercises. Here’s the workbook if you or a young person you know could use it. Zach asks that you fill out the short 4 question survey at the end.
______________________________________________________________
The Disaster Distress Helpline can provide immediate counseling to anyone who needs help in coping with the mental or emotional effects caused by the Coronavirus Pandemic.

 Call 1-800-985-5990  Text "TalkWithUs" to 66746
Network of Sexual Assault & Domestic Violence Service Providers in MA
City of Boston
If you know anyone who is worried about paying rent if their income has been affected by COVID19, please have them reach out to the  Office of Housing Stability . 
MA Department of Unemployment
The  MA Department of Unemployment Assistance  and Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development are hosting virtual town hall meetings to help with unemployment applications.

The quickest way to file a successful unemployment claim is through the UI online portal which can be  viewed here .

Guide to filing a new unemployment claim
Find a step-by-step guide to filing a new unemployment claim  here .

Apply for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) provides up to 39 weeks of unemployment benefits to individuals who are unable to work because of a COVID-19-related reason but are not eligible for regular or extended unemployment benefits.
______________________________________________________________
The federal government passed a law providing financial help due to the disruption from the COVID-19 crisis (CARES Act). There are $1,200 payments available to help provide some financial assistance to most Americans.
Can I get the Stimulus (Economic Impact) Payment?
Yes, you can!
  • If you do not get any benefits or help from the government you can still get the stimulus check. If you are a single individual you should get up to $1,200. Those with children may qualify for more.
  • If you do not file taxes because you make no or very little money (under $12,200 per year), you can provide your information to the IRS and receive the federal stimulus money. Most will get the $1,200.
  • If you have a bank account and can provide your banking account number and routing number to the IRS, you will get your money sooner. Click here to open a non-predatory bank account. If you need help you can call BTHC staffer, Michael at 617-918-5279
Madison Park Development Corporation
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
The Empowerment Grant for Small Businesses
The State Treasurer’s Office of Economic Empowerment (OEE) is proud to offer The Empowerment Grant for Small Businesses as an acknowledgment of the devastating economic impact that the COVID -19 pandemic has had on the Massachusetts small business community.

The Empowerment Grant Program aims to support the well-being and continuity of small businesses by providing access to capital and empowerment through engaging in OEE resources.

Grant resources will be focused on small business owners serving Massachusetts Gateway Cities. The State Treasurer’s Office of Economic Empowerment encourages minority-owned, women-owned, veteran-owned, and/or immigrant-owned small businesses located in gateway communities to apply.

For details, please see Section III of the  Program Summary . Applicants are encouraged to illustrate how they can utilize funds to support initiatives that will allow them to continue operating during and/or after the COVID-19 pandemic. Applicants may request up to $2,500 for the proposed need.
City of Boston
The City of Boston encourages you to find the State of Massachusetts full list of “COVID-19 Essential Services”  here .

The City of Boston has launched a website for residents to find local restaurants that remain open for take-out and delivery service during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. If your business is open for delivery and want to let the public know, be sure to sign up on  Support Boston Restaurants

Please visit   boston.gov/small-business   and click on the COVID-19 updates for additional info. You can also email  [email protected]   or call the Mayor’s Hotline at 311.

Small Business Relief Fund
Mayor Walsh announced the creation of the Small Business Relief Fund, established to assist Boston's small businesses most directly impacted by closures, policies, or general loss of revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This newly created fund is designed to quickly and strategically disburse grants to local businesses through a streamlined process that does not require businesses to assume additional debt. Learn more here.

The City of Boston has also created a  Financial Relief Handbook   and  FAQ document   for small businesses. It’s a resource for navigating both public and private capital programs. It puts information and guidance about all the different programs together in one place.
______________________________________________________________
US Small Business Administration
Any Massachusetts nonprofit or small business may apply for the SBA disaster relief fund.  Click here to access the application.
 
U.S. Small Business Administratio n COVID19 resources are now available in 17 languages .
______________________________________________________________
The Boston Black Hospitality Coalition aims to preserve the few gathering spaces for the city's many black residents - our neighborhood bars & restaurants. Our businesses play a critical role in community and economic development. Highlighting this we seek to ensure a prolonged future for our black-owned institutions.

THE FUTURE OF BOSTON'S BLACK OWNED RESTAURANTS & BARS
STATE OF EMERGENCY
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted every member of our community, the country, and the world. During this devastating public health crisis, we are also forced to grapple with an economic crisis that has disrupted our livelihoods and significantly undermined the financial security of our most vulnerable community members. BBHC in partnership with the NAACP - Boston Branch, and on behalf of Boston’s black-owned restaurants and bars, some of which have lost more than 90% of their revenue in the effort to abide by local, state, and federal social distancing guidelines, is asking for support to ensure that these businesses will continue to exist long after this crisis is over. 

As it stands, there are 8 black-owned liquor licenses in the city of Boston. All of them representing decades of advocacy from our elected officials and community-based organizations. Unless a strategic response is implemented immediately, our businesses – neighborhood anchors and pillars that represent an iconic legacy of black entrepreneurship and community development in Boston – will be forced to close their doors forever. [1]  

Here’s why: 
A Snapshot of Boston’s Black-Owned Restaurants & Bars Amidst the Pandemic
  • 90% of our business revenue came from onsite consumption that is no longer possible due to stay-at-home advisories and social distancing guidance; 
  • 83% of our businesses are located in Roxbury; 
  • 75% of our customer base is people of color (“POC”); 
  • 88% of our primarily POC workforce was laid off during this crisis, affecting 116 households;
  • $1.2 million dollars of estimated lost revenue for the period from March, April, and May 2020 
  • 100% of our businesses will have to consider closing doors for good if the status quo continues.[2]

BBHC appreciates the ongoing community and government efforts to support all small businesses during this time. However, to date, the black-owned restaurants and bars represented by this coalition have not received adequate financial support to survive this crisis. Our businesses have an arduous path ahead of us, and the BBHC needs our community's help. BBHC is challenging city and state officials, public and private institutions and individuals with the ability to make a difference to do their part to ensure our historic businesses and dedicated employees can weather this storm and be here to serve our friends, families, and communities once the storm clears. 

If nothing is done, the representatives of the coalition will be faced with a financial decision that would ultimately result in the closure of institutions who contributed to the combined 180+ years of service to Boston’s Black community.

Together we can overcome this crisis and preserve every aspect of Boston’s rich history, including its historic black-owned restaurants and bars. 

[1] The importance of ensuring that this community’s black-owned restaurants and bars survive this period of economic hardship cannot be overemphasized. Prior to this crisis, black-owned restaurants and bars were already grossly underrepresented within Greater Boston’s robust restaurant and hospitality industry. For example, of the 745 restaurants and bars with full alcoholic beverage licenses, only 3 are black-owned (i.e., less than 1%). According to the U.S Department of Commerce, as of 2012, only 4,463 businesses that fall within the accommodation and food services industry were minority-owned (as compared to the 13,705 non-minority-owned businesses). Moreover, only 9% of those 4,463 minority-owned businesses are considered black-owned. 

[2] This data was provided by the members of the Boston Black Hospitality Coalition who are listed here . 
______________________________________________________________
TSNE
TSNE is gathering a list of resources for nonprofits that may be able to provide relief or assistance during this challenging time. This is not a complete list and TSNE  will continue to make updates here  as more resources become available.
 
Read TSNE's May 12th newsletter.
______________________________________________________________
BECMA , in collaboration with  IncluDe and  The Sofenomenal Agency Group , launched PROTECT MA — an online marketplace that will connect Black and Latinx designers, developers, producers, and manufacturers of personal protective equipment (PPE) to businesses that need it. This effort is meant to allow businesses to not only protect the health of our communities but also generate wealth to sustain them.
Mass Cultural Council
Mass Cultural Council  released the results of their online survey of artists and arts & culture organizations created to assess the dire impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the arts & culture community. They are urging state legislators to pass measures that will address the needs of our community to mitigate the devastating economic loss we face.

Mass Cultural Council has announced support for both individual artists and organizations. Individual artists are eligible for up to $1000 in funding. Apply here .

A variety of resources for organizations , including webinars as well as individual coaching.
_____________________________________________________________
The Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture
The Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture created a new Artist Relief Fund for artists located in Boston whose incomes are being adversely affected by COVID-19.

The Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture in the City of Boston has announced a call for proposals for transformative public art projects.  More info here.

The Mayor’s Office of Arts & Culture is hosting a weekly meeting for individual artists from anywhere in the Greater Boston area.
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Grants for artists of color to imagine a racially just future with their communities
Are you an ALAANA+ artist? (By ALAANA+ we mean: African, Latinx/a/o, Asian, Arab, Native American, Indigenous, First Peoples, Black, African American, Multi-racial, People of Color, Caribbean…)

Do you live and/or work in Boston, MA?

If yes, do you identify as a...
  • Cultural organizer
  • Artist activist
  • Culture bearer
  • Maker of things 
  • Creator of dynamic experiences

RIRJ wants to support you, your creative practice, your artistic voice, and YOUR world-building vision in collaboration with your community.

RIRJ seeks to support Boston-based artists of color (of all ages 14+) who are excited to bring to life their visions of a racially just society.