Press Releases

Councilor Brian Worrell and State Representative Christopher Worrell Host the Mental Shift 2.0

BOSTON, MA – Councilor Brian Worrell and State Representative Christopher Worrell hosted The Mental Shift 2.0 at Boston University’s Howard Thurman Center on May 13th 2023. This event aimed to elevate the mindset of black men in the City of Boston, providing education, inspiration, and resources to empower men to make necessary changes in their lives.

“It is an honor to host The Mental Shift 2.0. We know that building healthy communities means having honest conversations about the barriers and stigma residents face every day, which includes mental health,” said Councilor Brian Worrell. “I believe that Black leaders have a responsibility to set an example and create spaces like this where fellow Black men can access the tools and knowledge they need to start their mental health journey.”

“”Growing up in Dorchester, I’ve seen countless people in my community give up their freedom due to one bad decision; Mental Shift is aiming to prevent ever having to make that consequential of a decision, ” said Representative Christopher Worrell. “We must begin to change our mindsets and the mindset of our Black and Brown youth to prevent this cycle of violence.”

The Mental Shift 2.0 included a hands-on workshop taught by Kurt Faustin from the Dropout Academy. Faustin taught a formula backed by science to improve mental health and emotional intelligence. Attendees also had the opportunity to participate in a workshop taught by Minister Randy Muhammad from Torchlight Recovery. The workshop offered immediate, actionable strategies for resolving conflicts.

““We are coming together to start a movement that will cause a mental shift in the way that we perceive, and receive each other, to push back against a self destructive, genocidal subculture that is being promoted in our communities, that glorifies and l gangsters, shooters and drug dealers,” said Minister Randy Muhammad. “We are changing the culture by recognizing and celebrating men who have changed their lives from negative to positive and have now become change agents and are no longer a part of the problem but are now part of the solution to steer the next generation of youth from crime and violence.”

“”This is so much more than an event as I believe that “The Mental Shift” can be a model that will help empower our community,” said Kurt Faustin. “We have multiple organizations working together for the common goal of uplighting the men in our city! We are providing a platform for men to receive resources, provide education, and network with each other. It’s an honor to be a part of a great cause.”

“The event was hosted at The Howard Thurman Center for Common Ground which is a mission driven student center rooted in the philosophy of Howard Thurman and his idea of inclusion. Howard Thurman was the first Black man to hold the position of Dean of a Chapel at a predominately white institution here at Boston University’s Marsh Chapel. He believed in the fundamental idea that meaningful and creative shared experiences can provide opportunities for people to bond beyond their differences.

““At long last a man must be deeply convinced that the contradictions of life which he encounters are not final, that the radical tension between good and evil, as he sees it and feels it, does not have the last word about the meaning of life and the nature of existence.”

““Howard Thurman shared these words in a meditation titled Contradicts Not Final.” said Executive Director Nick Bates. In my eyes, this accurately depicts the aim of the Mental Shift 2.0 that occurred at The Howard Thurman Center.”

“In addition to these informative workshops, the event featured a special celebration of men in our city who have embodied the mental shift model. This celebration recognized individuals who have made significant strides in their lives and are inspiring examples of what is possible with a shift in mindset.

“A list of the honorees are:

“True See Allah Ricardo Garcia Dathon Wright Jamal Spencer David Baxter Mac Hudson True Love Sallah Victor Morales Devon McNeil Danny Santana Richard Brooks Joseph Bennett

Councilor Brian Worrell and State Representative Christopher Worrell Host the Black Women Lead Brunch

BOSTON, MA – Councilor Brian Worrell and State Representative Christopher Worrell hosted their “Black Women Lead Brunch” today May 12th 2023. This event honored 200 black women leaders for their leadership and contribution to the City of Boston. The event took place at the Massachusetts Statehouse in the Hall of Flags.

“I am excited to take part in honoring the legacy of these women,” said Councilor Brian Worrell. “Their long overdue recognition was earned through hard work and their lifelong commitment towards public service in our community. It’s important to recognize their historic contributions as we work to inspire and build the next generation of strong leaders in Boston.”

“I have been surrounded by strong Black women my entire life and not once did I see a time where they were properly thanked and appreciated for their work,” said Representative Christopher Worrell. “The Black Women Lead Project is doing exactly that: bringing together Black women from across the commonwealth who dedicated their lives to the betterment of others. They paved the way for the current and future generations of Black women and this brunch is our way of honoring those leaders who have opened the doors for my Black brothers and sisters.”

“I’m excited about the project and the support it has received,” said Ed Gaskin, Executive Director of the Greater Grove Hall Main Streets. “Black Women Lead is about the collective impact Black Women have had, and honoring their service and sacrifice to make Boston what it is today. It’s about honoring those who through service and sacrifice have left a legacy of leadership for the next generation. It’s about honoring our seniors, our women and our history.”

Starting this summer, banners along the Blue Hill Avenue corridor will display the pictures and names of these women.

Councilor Brian Worrell Passes Resolution to Acknowledge and Celebrate April 2023 as Second Chance Month in Boston

Boston – Councilor Brian Worrell passes a resolution to acknowledge and celebrate April 2023 as Second Chance Month in Boston.

“I am proud to see this resolution passed in order to highlight our City’s commitment to ensure our returning citizens have access to the services they need to return to their communities and chart a new path,” said Councilor Worrell. “A criminal record should not mean a lifetime disqualification from the opportunity to build a better life. The designation of April as Second Chance Month will contribute to increased public awareness about the disparate, harmful impact of mass incarceration and would support the creation of opportunities for individuals, employers, and communities to support our City’s returning citizens.”

Please find the Resolution Petition here.

Councilor Brian Worrell Passes Increase of Liquor License Cap in Boston

District 4 – Councilor Brian Worrell offers the following statement regarding the passage of his home rule petition authorizing additional restricted liquor licenses.

“This vote is a major step forward towards bridging the equity gap for small business owners in Boston,” said Councilor Worrell. “Building upon the legacy of Congresswoman Pressley, we are guaranteeing small-business owners in all corners of the city have equal opportunity to grow their profits and provide a desired service to their customers. This is what delivering results for our business owners and constituents looks like.”

For context, the neighborhoods of Roxbury, Hyde Park, Mattapan, and Dorchester have less than 10% of Boston’s on-premise licenses and less than 4% of total capacity, despite having nearly 40% of the city’s population. On the heels of the 2014-16 license distributions, then Councilor Pressley recommended both a staggered approach and linking a specific number of licenses to specific neighborhoods.

Please find the Home Rule Petition here.

Councilor Brian Worrell and State Representative Christopher Worrell Celebrate the Opening of their District Office

District 4 – Councilor Brian Worrell and State Representative Christopher Worrell (5th Suffolk) celebrated the opening of their joint District Office in Dorchester, located at 5 Erie St, Dorchester, MA 02121 yesterday.

“Yesterday was a historic day for District 4 and the 5th Suffolk,” said Councilor Worrell. “It was so great to have members of our community, local elected officials, State Representatives, our Congresswoman, and our Mayor join us right here in Dorchester. We are bringing the focus back to the people, and this is just the beginning. Let’s get to work District 4.”

“My community has always showed up for me, and it’s time that our state government show up for them,” said Representative Christopher Worrell. “That is the purpose of this district office: to give my district the accessibility to the resources they need and deserve. The event was truly inspirational and a testament to the unity and power of the 5th Suffolk.”

“Councilor Worrell and Representative Worrell’s new district office in Dorchester meets people where they are and brings city and state government closer to community,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “This office will be a space for residents to come together, build community and get connected with crucial services. I’m excited to continue working with both of these leaders to ensure that our residents are connected to resources and support.”

The list of elected officials that joined this event include:

Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll
Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley
Staff members representing Senator Ed Markey and Senator Elizabeth Warren
State Senator Liz Miranda
State Representative Russel Holmes
State Representative Samantha Montaño
State Representative Jennifer Balinsky Armini
Mayor Michelle Wu
City Council President Ed Flynn
City Councilor At-Large Ruthzee Louijeune
City Councilor Kenzie Bok

The District Office will be open weekdays from 12PM – 6PM.

Councilor Brian Worrell and State Representative Christopher Worrell Announce Opening of District Office in Dorchester

District 4 – Councilor Brian Worrell and State Representative Christopher Worrell (5th Suffolk) announce the opening of their joint District Office in Dorchester, located at 5 Erie St, Dorchester, MA 02121.

“We are so excited to open this new commitment towards the people of District 4 and the 5th Suffolk — increasing opportunities to engage with your representatives,” said Councilor Worrell. “This district office will serve as a focal point for our joint initiative to amplify the voices of our community to local governments. We will hold meetings, events, and many future community engaging opportunities here in order to deliver results for our constituents. I cannot wait to open this office and continue to deliver results for District 4.”

“My mission, as the State Representative of the 5th Suffolk, is to create a government that constituents can touch,” said Representative Worrell. “That’s why I’m so excited to create a pipeline between my district and the state through a neighborhood district office. The Dorchester District Office will be a hub for all things in the 5th Suffolk and I’m looking forward to doing the work for the community, in the community.”

Please join Councilor Worrell and State Representative Worrell for the opening of their joint District Office Saturday, March 18, at 12PM at 5 Erie St, Dorchester, MA 02121.

Councilor Brian Worrell Offers the Following Statement Regarding the Structure of the Boston School Committee

District 4 – Councilor Brian Worrell offers the following statement regarding the structure of the Boston School Committee.

“My position on this has always been consistent,” said Councilor Worrell. “I support a majority elected school committee, but believe a hybrid model is critical to ensure that the school committee includes the diversity and expertise needed to serve our kids. I am looking forward to continuing to partner with my colleagues and the Mayor to deliver for our students.”

Councilor Brian Worrell Files for a Hearing to Bring the 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend to Boston

District 4 – Councilor Brian Worrell filed to hold a hearing to bring the 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend to Boston. The Boston Celtics are preparing a bid to host the 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend on the 80th anniversary of the franchise. It was reported that the 2022 NBA All-Star Game attracted $141.4 million in direct spending and generated $248.9 million in total economic impact.

“Boston is a proud sports city — the home of teams that have won twelve championship titles since 1999 — more than any other city in the nation,” said Councilor Worrell. “Despite this success, our city hasn’t hosted an All-Star game since 1999, and the last time the NBA All-Star Game was here was in 1964.

“With the Boston Celtics leading the league in breaking down racial barriers and paving the future for equity and civil rights, we have a tremendous opportunity to again showcase Boston on the national stage.

The impact of this opportunity, both for fans and in regional economic impact is significant, which is why we as a City must address improvements needed to bolster the City’s application standing to bring the 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend back to Boston.”

Read more on the filing here.

Councilor Brian Worrell Statement on the Passage of Docket #0239

District 4, MA – Councilor Brian Worrell co-sponsored Docket #0239 An Ordinance Creating a Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans. His statement is as follows:

“As a Black Man and lifelong Bostonian, I have seen the disparities that play out in the lives of friends, loved ones, and many in our community,” said Councilor Worrell. “It is a career goal of mine to make the concept of the American Dream attainable for all Bostonians. This is an important first step towards bringing meaning to the words – life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness – which historically has not been attainable for Black people. I am glad to see this council join countless other cities across the country in the discussion of reparations and supporting all Bostonians in a continued fight for racial equity.”

For more information on the ordinance, please visit the link here.

Councilor Brian Worrell Refiles 10 Actions

District 4, MA – Councilor Brian Worrell refiles 10 Action Items with the first City Council meeting of 2023.

“We are hitting the ground running by introducing so many necessary items that will address issues facing District 4″ said Councilor Worrell. “This all revolves around a major focus of mine going into 2023, the Black and Brown economic agenda. We need investment in our community to ensure equal access to reliable education, homeownership opportunities, peace of mind with public safety, and support for our Black and Brown businesses. We are taking on a lot, but it will bring the focus back to a part of the city that gets overlooked. I keep using the term “we” as this will take all of us to move the needle, it’s time to get to work District 4.”

Councilor Brian Worrell Hires Director of Civic Engagement

District 4, MA – Councilor Brian Worrell is excited to announce the hiring of a new Director of Civic Engagement – Ayomide “Ayo” Olumuyiwa.

“We are excited to have Ayo on our team. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to District 4. Ayomide Olumuyiwa is a proud Dorchester resident who from a young age found himself participating in a variety of activist groups – REEP/ACE, BSAC, and BYOP. Ayo served as student representative on the Boston School Committee (14-15) while attending the O’bryant School of Math and Science. He eventually graduated from Umass Lowell with a degree in Political Science and is excited to work for the people of District 4. Please feel free to reach out to him with any issues or concerns facing your neighborhoods. We will be out in the District together, making sure your voice is being heard.”

Please find his contact information below

Ayomide Olumuyiwa – ayomide.olumuyiwa@boston.gov
Director of Civic Engagement
Office of Brian Worrell, Boston City Councilor, District 4
One City Hall Plaza, 5th Floor, Boston, MA 02201
Office | 617-635-3131

Councilor Brian Worrell Announces Location and More Information for the Upcoming Hearing on Gun Violence

District 4, MA – Councilor Brian Worrell will join his colleagues on The Committee on Public Safety and Criminal Justice for a hearing on December 8, 2022 at 5:00 PM at the Lila G. Frederick Pilot Middle School – 270 Columbia Rd Boston, MA 02121.

“This hearing is a major step forward for bringing peace of mind to our community,” said Councilor Worrell. “We are bringing city departments, local organizations, and most importantly the voice of our community together to come up with both short and long-term solutions. We cannot continue to let our neighbors, especially our youth, suffer the effects of gun violence. I look forward to this discussion and continuing to work with all parties in order to create a safer District 4.”

For more information on the hearing, please visit the link here.

Councilor Brian Worrell Joins Mayor Michelle Wu for a Press Conference Announcing the “Welcome Home Boston” Program

District 4, MA – Councilor Brian Worrell will join Mayor Michelle Wu tomorrow, 11/18, at 63 Violet St Mattapan from 9:30AM – 10:30AM to announce the new “Welcome Home Boston” program.

“This is a huge win for District 4, with ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds building 70 new parcels of affordable housing for our community,” said Councilor Worrell. “This is a major step forward towards putting our families into homes they can afford. I would like to thank Mayor Wu for being a strong advocate for this region of the city, helping us deliver on promises to build up our affordable housing inventory.”

For more information on this initiative, please visit the link here.

Councilor Brian Worrell and Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson Introduce Resolution on the Closure of Walgreens in Boston

District 4, MA – Councilor Brian Worrell and Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson (District 7) introduced a resolution to request Walgreens to postpone all closures of Boston locations.

“The decisions made by Walgreens to close their facilities in crucial areas across Boston was done without studies on the impacts they pose or educating the public on this matter in order to give them adequate time to adjust their prescriptions,” said Councilor Worrell.

“It’s for these reasons that I joined my colleague Councilor Fernandes Anderson to hold this billion-dollar company accountable for putting profits over customer care. Without properly notifying the community, providing them with alternative options, Walgreens has done this quietly in hopes of no one noticing. We are strongly urging them to keep their facilities open until our constituents can make new plans to get the medications they need without being left in the dark. Boston will uphold its legacy of defending hard working citizens and providing them with the best of resources, from public and private means.”

Councilor Brian Worrell Statement on Closure of Mattapan Walgreens

District 4, MA – Councilor Brian Worrell has the following statement regarding the announced closure of the Walgreens in Mattapan at 90 River St.

“I was recently informed that Walgreens intends to close its location on 90 River Street,” said Councilor Worrell. “This facility serves so many people in Mattapan, especially elderly providing them the necessary medication they need everyday. My team is gathering more information to hear what impact this will have to the surrounding area. We will be releasing more information soon to help you and your families navigate the best options for getting prescriptions and accessing nearby pharmacies.”

Councilor Brian Worrell Statement on Proposed Amendments to Docket #1275 Keeping Codman Square United

District 4, MA – Councilor Brian Worrell offers the following statement after supporting sending Docket #1275 to Mayor Michelle Wu to be adopted as the new City Council District boundaries.

“Redistricting is such an important part of our system of governing, it lays the foundation of how voices can be represented in their local government” Said Councilor Worrell. “The map the City Council Redistricting Committee has been working off, #1275, does increase the opportunity to continue to expand the voices present on the Council. There is still room to tweak this plan in order to maintain the strength of the black vote in District 4 and keep our neighborhoods united. Codman Square is a vital part of District 4, a core part that connects neighborhoods, businesses, and communities. We are currently working with the Dorchester YMCA and have successfully secured ARPA (American Rescue Plan) funds to build up this facility. I would like to continue this work in order to deliver what this community deserves. There are other important District facilities such as the Reverend Loesch Family Park that provide meeting places for my constituents. All of these must remain within District 4. It’s because of this that I introduced in front of the committee today amendments that will keep District 4 united. These amendments involve the following:

Move 4-05 to District 7
Move 6-01, 7-05, and 6-3 back to District 2
Move 8-01 and 8-02 into District 3
Move 8-01 and 9-01 into District 3
Move 15-02 into District 3
Keep 16-03 in District 4
Move 16-09 and 16-12 into District 3
Keep 17-02 and 17-06 into District 4
Move 18-07 and 19-12 into District 4

Please find the proposed changes here.

Press Conference on a new Community Center, Thursday, Oct. 13

District 4, MA – Councilor Brian Worrell joined Mayor Michelle Wu and other community leaders to announce the location selected for a new Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF) community center in Dorchester.

We know the importance of education, programming, resources, and dedicated community spaces in enhancing the quality of life in our neighborhoods,” said Councilor Worrell. “I am excited to stand here today in Grove Hall with Mayor Wu and the community members whose vision for this community center have come to fruition. It will have a tremendous impact on the lives of countless young people in our neighborhood, similar to the way my community center in Dorchester transformed my life as a child.”

Councilor Brian Worrell Statement on Shooting in Dorchester

District 4, MA – Councilor Brian Worrell (District 4) has the following statement on yesterday’s shooting outside of Jeremiah E. Burke High School in Dorchester.

“I want to first offer my thoughts and prayers to the individual and their family after yesterday morning’s incident,” said Councilor Worrell. “I would also like to thank all of our City Departments for the swift call to action in providing trauma support and removing another gun off our streets. Parents deserve to have peace of mind when our children are at school or anywhere in our community that they will be protected and safe. My office will be closely monitoring this and providing whatever help we can to address this and future incidents like it.”

Vice Chair of the Redistricting Committee Councilor Brian Worrell Statement on the Committees Proposed Map

District 4, MA – Chair of the Redistricting Committee Liz Breadon (District 9) and Vice Chair Brian Worrell (District 4) have released the committee’s proposed map for the City of Boston.

“The City of Boston is a diverse city and should have a City Council that reflects individual identities and backgrounds” said Vice Chair Worrell. “The people of Boston deserve City Council Districts that represent them, their unique values, and amplify their voices. Following the principles of the Voting Rights Act, we created four districts that are majority minority with a strong Voting Age Population (VAP) maintained. There will be a robust engagement plan that involves taking this idea around the city, gathering feedback from different communities to create fair and equitable maps.”

Councilor Brian Worrell Invites You to the Renaming Ceremony of Hicks Auto Body Square

District 4, MA – Councilor Brian Worrell would like to invite you to join him and other community leaders this Saturday, 9/24, at 12PM in Dorchester for the Renaming Ceremony of Hick Auto Body Square. We invite members of the press to join us in celebrating the legacy Hicks Auto Body has created in our neighborhood.

Councilor Brian Worrell Statement on Hurricane Fiona

District 4, MA – Councilor Brian Worrell, like many others in District 4 with strong ties to the region, has been watching the devastation unfold from Hurricane Fiona in Puerto Rico and now the Dominican Republic.

“I first would like to offer my prayers for those with families and relatives currently in the path of Hurricane Fiona,” said Councilor Worrell. “This is a tragic event that has become too familiar in the region. We must do more to address the rapid changing climate crisis as we see everyday the devastating effects it has on those in its path. Our office will be working to provide resources and information to our community throughout the course of this hurricane and how you can help. We will continue to monitor the situation as more information comes. Please help us unite as a community and support one another to get through this in order to start the recovery and rebuilding process as soon as possible.”

Chair of the Redistricting Committee Councilor Liz Breadon and Vice Chair Councilor Brian Worrell Begin Redistricting with Their First Working Session on Friday, September 16th

District 4, MA – Chair of the Redistricting Committee Councilor Liz Breadon (District 9) and Vice Chair Councilor Brian Worrell continued the redistricting process for the City of Boston today with a working session with the entire City Council. This decennial process is an important opportunity to draw the City Council lines for the next decade. As Vice Chair of the committee, Councilor Worrell has one goal in mind – to create fair, equal, and balanced districts to move Boston forward. In a cooperative effort with Drawing Democracy Coalition, Councilor Worrell will work to create districts that promote every voice and strengthen all the diverse communities that call Boston home.

“It is an honor to be a part of this important step forward for the City of Boston. In coordination with the Chair of the Committee, Councilor Breadon, I look forward to creating a map that represents all of Boston, keeping communities of interest together and strong.” Said Councilor Worrell. He continued “With a goal of completing this process by November, we will be out in the community listening to you and hearing what you would like to see changed. Each office will be sending out a coordinate outreach plan in order to inform, educate, and activate as many people as possible. This process can only be done together, with everyone being involved. I look forward to working with Councilor Breadon and the rest of the Council in order to deliver results for the citizens of Boston.”

“Facilitating an equitable and transparent redistricting process involving community voice is essential for the advancement of our participatory democracy and for the future of our City,” said Redistricting Committee Chair Liz Breadon. “Together with Vice Chair Worrell and our colleagues, I am committed to ensuring a final map that is fair, uplifts communities of interest on the edges or are often split between districts, is compliant with Voting Rights Act requirements, and reflects the City we represent and its residents who put us in office.”

Councilor Brian Worrell Statement on the Impact of Demographic Data and Census Reporting for the Future of Boston

District 4, MA – Councilor Brian Worrell joined other members of the Council to discuss the data collected by the US Census Bureau. From their count, Boston is at a population of 675,647 residents as of 2020. Unfortunately, a cost of this process is the undercount of a number of Hispanic, Black, and Native American residents throughout the City. One of the largest gaps in the count include children under the age of 4. Without this information, school resources such as drive around services, childcare, and additional assistance cannot operate accurately to best serve our students and their families. The Boston Election Department conducts their own Annual Resident Listing of all residents over the age of 17. These numbers have successfully challenged the Census in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2014, resulting in revisions increasing the population count anywhere from 5,000 to 35,000 residents. These changes can have long-term impacts on these underserved neighborhoods when it comes to planning, grant applications, federal and state funding, and redistricting.

“The role of the Census is to provide the most accurate breakdown of communities in our city. It is unfortunate that there are gaps in areas that are most in need of our help – minority communities and their residents that are foundational to what makes Boston so unique. I have joined my colleagues and Mayor Wu to challenge the results of the Census ensuring our count is as accurate as possible. Because of past miscounts, potential millions of dollars have been missed to go towards supporting much needed assistance for our neighbors and their families. Initiatives like this have a deeper impact in our communities. Access to public education is critical, ensuring our students have schools that are nearby and well funded. My Cradle to Career program ties in directly with this, keeping our focus on the next generation that will move Boston forward.”

Questions asked by the Councilor:

What lessons can the city, and the council in particular, learn from the issues in this census and how can we best prepare the city for the next census?
Will the undercount of kids impact our ability to ensure all students will have access to an appropriate education?

Councilor Brian Worrell Statement on Establishing Fossil Fuel-Free Standards for New Construction and Major Renovation Projects in the City of Boston

District 4, MA – District 4 City Council Brian Worrell joined members of the Council to discuss establishing a fossil fuel-free standard for all new construction and major renovation projects in the City of Boston. This effort follows the guide of the Green New Deal agenda in order to meet the increasing threat of climate change. Kitchen appliances that utilize natural gas (including stoves, ovens, and dryers) contribute to both indoor and outdoor air pollution. Additionally, gas stoves and ovens produce high levels of airborne particulate matter that may contribute to or exacerbate asthma, heart conditions, and cognitive delays. Research from four advocacy groups (the Rocky Mountain Institute, Mothers Out Front, Physicians for Social Responsibility, and the Sierra Club) have found that, “gas stoves may be exposing tens of millions of people to levels of air pollution in their homes that would be illegal outdoors under national air quality standards.”

While environmental benefits are clear, cost comparisons are more complex. Gas ranges are more expensive to install from scratch, but are generally cheaper to operate and maintain.

“Climate change is an issue that is directly impacting the citizens of Boston and District 4. This step will bring us closer to creating a more environmentally friendly and sustainable future for our next generation. One thing that must be highlighted is the acknowledgement of racial equity and justice to include in the execution of this initiative. It is also important that the Council have a voice in the administration to ensure full transparency with our offices and constituents. Boston will be a sustainable city, but we must do it to uplift and benefit all communities.”

Questions asked by the Councilor:

How does the Administration intend to ensure plans to account for racial justice and equity?
Is there a role for the Council to fill in the selection process of the advisory committee?
Would the proposed standards potentially dis-incentivize new construction of larger, multi-unit buildings?

COUNCILORS WORRELL, LOUIJEUNE, MEJIA, AND ARROYO HOLD HEARING ON INCREASING LIQUOR LICENSES ACROSS BOSTON

BOSTON, June 16, 2022 – Yesterday, Councilors Worrell, Louijeune, Mejia, and Arroyo held a hearing on a proposed home rule petition to grant up to 200 new non-transferable liquor licenses to small restaurants in Dorchester, Mattapan, and Hyde Park, and proposed an additional home rule petition that would grant 4 non-transferable liquor licenses to businesses in the city-owned Boiling Building in Roxbury and 1 to the Strand Theatre in Dorchester. Currently, neighborhoods such as Mattapan have only 10 out of the 1,432 liquor licenses in Boston, and major economic corridors like Dorchester Ave and Blue Hill Ave have only 24 and 6 non-retail liquor licenses respectively.

“Intentionally increasing liquor licenses to 200 across Dorchester, Mattapan, Roxbury, and Hyde Park is to ensure equitable distribution and provide corrective action,” said Councilor Brian Worrell in a statement about the hearing. “This will allow local owners to achieve economic mobility that addresses racial gaps, breaks systemic barriers, and gives real opportunities to Black- and Brown-owned businesses. We want to equip them to be successful where the distribution of liquor licenses has been historically inequitable.”

The first list of panelists who spoke from the City of Boston on the home rule petition included Kathleen Joyce, Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Consumer Affairs and Licensing; Danny Green, Licensing Board Executive Secretary; Midori Morikawa, Deputy Chief of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion; and Aliesha Porcena, Director of Small Business.

The second list of advocates included Nia Grace, co-founder of the Black Boston Hospitality Coalition; Steve Clark, Chief Operating Officer of the Massachusetts Restaurant Association (MRA); Jody Adams, Chef and Restaurateur of TRADE; Chris Macksey, Massachusetts Restaurants United (MRU) and CEO of Prix Fixe Accounting; and Nick Korn, Principal for OFFSITE.

“The full expanse of these two home rule petitions cover the neighborhoods of Hyde Park, Dorchester, Roxbury, and Mattapan all to make sure that we are infusing our neighborhoods with more economic activity,” said Councilor Ruthzee Louijeune. “We know that our neighborhoods suffer from decades of disinvestment, so what we’re attempting to do here is generate more business and economy in our neighborhoods.”

“Our current licensing system is squashing innovation. It’s excluding first time operators. It’s concentrating wealth and privilege; and it’s preventing hard-working, innovative people from opening their businesses here in the City of Boston,” said Nick Korn, small business owner and Principal of OFFSITE. “The lack of licenses is an essential piece of developing our neighborhoods and continuing to move into the future we want for our city. Policy got us into this place and policy must get us out.”

The License to Succeed Report linked here states that there is a correlation between how white a neighborhood is and how many licenses it has in comparison to Boston’s minority neighborhoods. Of the licenses:

There are 8 times as many licenses per person in Boston’s four 75% white neighborhoods compared to Boston’s four 75% of minority neighborhoods.
309 licenses per person in Boston’s 75% white neighborhoods compared to 2,543 per person in 75% minority neighborhoods.
Less than 2% of licenses held by operators who self-identify as black.

There will be a working session scheduled to work out the language of the proposed legislation before coming to a vote at City Council.

The City invites residents to submit written comments on the home rule petition here.

ARPA FUNDS FOR CITY HOMEOWNERSHIP INITIATIVE FOR BOSTON HOUSING AUTHORITY RESIDENTS APPROVED BY CITY COUNCIL MAJORITY VOTE – CORRECTED

BOSTON, July 13, 2022 – On Wednesday, the $367 million dollar ARPA funds for COVID-19 Recovery were passed with a majority vote from the City Council. Of the budget initiatives, $8 million was approved for a new Boston Housing Authority (BHA) Homeownership initiative, including new funding for Homeownership Vouchers for BHA residents through the City of Boston as well as other programs to expand homeownership opportunities for BHA residents.

“I came to the Council focused on the Black and Brown Economic Empowerment Agenda,” Councilor Brian Worrell said in a statement. “On Wednesday, I led on creating an $8 million dollar Homeownership initiative that will provide more assistance in the fight against displacement, and feed economic mobility for underserved communities. I am looking forward to growing programs, creating partnerships and spreading the word.”

The City Voucher Homeownership Program would provide additional One+ Boston Assistance and leverage the City’s existing voucher program to assist in costs, mitigate predatory lending, and expand eligibility and purchase opportunities for low income and moderate income families, particularly Black and Brown families.

This program will complement other aspects of the BHA homeownership initiative, including expanded One+ Boston Assistance for BHA families to purchase homes without ongoing subsidies, expansion of the current Section-8 to Homeownership program to serve more families, and exploring new strategies for the the BHA’s scattered site portfolio, including creation of new homeownership opportunities.

“I’m excited about all the things that are here in this ARPA,” said Councilor Ruthzee Louijeune. “Councilor Worrell led $8 million dollars for homeownership. I am really excited to partner with him and my colleagues in reworking how we support homeownership for low-income and working class families.”

“This new Homeownership initiative is another shining example of Boston’s commitment to securing affordable housing for the city’s residents,” Boston Housing Authority Administrator Kate Bennet tsaid. “We’re expecting this program to help 110 Boston families secure homeownership by 2026. I want to thank Councilor Worrell and the Mayor’s Office of Housing for collaborating to fund new homeownership programs for BHA families.”

The approved ARPA fund initiatives will now move to the Mayor’s Office for review and approval.