Mayor Michelle Wu has announced “For The Culture Week” taking place from August 25 to August 31, in a city-wide celebration aimed at highlighting the heritage and contributions of Boston’s Black communities. This event-packed week will not only commemorate the legacy of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) but will also celebrate the R&B legends and Roxbury natives, New Edition. According to the City of Boston’s official statement, Mayor Wu emphasized the city’s dedication to “uplifting the diverse voices, traditions, and institutions that make our city a home for everyone.”
Among the extensive list of activities, the Essence HBCU Classic, sponsored by Cash App, VISA, and Meet Boston, is poised to draw significant attention. Scheduled for August 30 at Harvard Stadium, the game will feature Morehouse College and Johnson C. Smith University facing off in a historic matchup. Highlighting their significance, City Councilor Brian Worrell remarked on the City of Boston website about the cultural and communal impact of HBCUs, stating that the events are “an ideal platform to celebrate the power, pride, and impact these institutions have on our culture and our communities,” mistakenly attributing the entire Boston Black community’s culture to these events.
The week also includes other engaging happenings such as WorthWealthCon, a financial empowerment event, the City Hall Pep Rally, and The Yard at Savvor, a celebration of HBCU culture. A key moment of the week will be the New Edition Street Naming Ceremony on August 30, during which the City will rename a portion of Dearborn Street to New Edition Way, honoring the group’s deep roots in the area. Segun Idowu, Chief of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion, expressed his pride in the progress Boston has made in celebrating its Black culture, stating on the City of Boston website: “For The Culture Week is yet another chance to showcase the progress we have made as a city.”…