波士頓移民進步辦公室訂5/19舉辦「我們是波士頓」年度慶祝會

            CITY OF BOSTON AND MAYOR’S OFFICE FOR IMMIGRANT ADVANCEMENT LAUNCH IMMIGRANT HERITAGE MONTH WITH

WE ARE BOSTON 2023: VISIONARY COURAGE

What: We Are Boston 2023: Visionary Courage

When: Friday, May 19 from 5:30-8pm

Where: Blue Cross Blue Shield Office at 101 Huntington Ave. Boston

RSVP required for security clearance

BOSTON - The City of Boston Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement (MOIA) is launching Immigrant Heritage Month with We Are Boston, a reception that honors the contributions immigrants have made to our City. We Are Boston 2023: Visionary Courage is on Friday, May 19 from 5:30-8pm at the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Office at 101 Huntington Ave in Boston. The media is invited to attend but must RSVP for security clearance by emailing paien.yu@boston.gov. 

During the reception, the 2023 “Community Leadership Award” will go to the Driving Families Forward Coalition for their decades of advocacy to pass the Driver’s License Law. The “Business Leadership Award” will go to Melodias Restaurant in East Boston for their generosity in providing hot meals to recently-arrived migrants seeking shelter; and the “Civic Leadership Award” will go to Clare Louise Okalany, the Chief Operating Officer of ACEDONE, for supporting African communities in Boston by building entrepreneurship among immigrant women.

The reception will also have a musical performance by Boston Music Project, an ensemble of Boston Public School middle schoolers, and a salsa performance and dance lesson by Salsa y Control Dance Company. This is MOIA’s first in-person We Are Boston since 2019, and government officials, local immigrant-serving nonprofits, corporate sponsors, and the public are all invited to attend by RSVP. After the speaking portion, there will be time for dancing, mingling, and refreshments courtesy of the generous support from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. 

Corporate sponsorships fund We Are Boston, and proceeds go to immigrant-serving nonprofits in the form of grants. This year’s funding will go toward enhancing the well-being and mental health of immigrants in Boston through non-clinical and culturally sensitive ways. Funding will also be for multicultural community building during Immigrant Heritage Month in June. The events will be open to the public and listed on boston.gov/we-are-boston.

吳蠻、黃心芸「弦之靈」音樂會 樂評讚編排創新、樂音驚人

吳蠻 (左)和黃心芸(右) 的「弦之靈」音樂會圓滿落幕。 (周菊子攝)

              (Boston Orange綜合報導) 琵琶大師吳蠻和著名中提琴演奏家黃心芸的一場“琵琶與中提琴”對話，5月6日晚在新英格蘭音樂學院喬丹廳 (Jordan Hall)，讓300多名觀眾激情鼓掌，大讚名師出手，那樂音就是不一樣。

波士頓音樂情報(The Boston Musical Intelligencer)樂評，會後也撰文盛讚，這場演出，編排創新，成果驚人。

演奏會結束，仰慕者紛紛送上鮮花。 (周菊子攝)

                        中華表演藝術基金會安排的這場「弦之靈」音樂會，不但邀得目前在柯蒂斯 (Curtis)和茱莉亞 (Julliard)這2所音樂學院執教的著名中提琴演奏家黃心芸，更請來早於2000年就曾和馬友友一起應邀到白宮表演，2021年獲得新英格蘭音樂學院榮譽博士，今年 (2023) 再獲國家藝術基金會 (National Endowment for the Arts)傳統藝術遺產獎，享有中國音樂使者與琵琶音樂代言人美譽的琵琶大師吳蠻來聯袂演出，讓中提琴與琵琶難得的同台合鳴，演繹出一段段古今少聞的中西方樂器重奏樂音。新英格蘭音樂學院的 Meraki弦樂四重奏還在她倆演奏改編的中國傳統曲調“春江花月夜”時，也參加了演出。

譚嘉陵 (中)創辦的中華表演藝術基金會把吳蠻(右)、
黃心芸(左)這2位優秀音樂家帶到波士頓人面前。 (周菊子攝)

                             琵琶與中提琴，分別是中國和西方的弦樂器，各有其文化背景與特殊音色。在這次的「弦之靈」音樂會中，吳蠻和黃心芸等人現場演奏的曲目，從Ligeti、華彥鈞、周文中、盛宗亮到Ahmed Adnan Saygun的作品，還有曾獲Grawemeyer大獎的梁雷接受委約，專為琵琶和中提琴創作的新曲「母親的歌」，以及年輕作曲家歐陽貞真把琵琶古曲改編成六重奏的”春江花月夜”，把跨越時空與文化的樂曲、樂風，展現得淋漓盡致。

波士頓的著名小提琴家張萬鈞夫婦也來向吳蠻、黃心芸致意。
(周菊子攝)

                         波士頓音樂情報(The Boston Musical Intelligencer)樂評說，”弦之靈”讓他沉浸在一場很不一樣的”東方遇見西方”聲音之旅，結合了黃心芸中提琴的熱情與自信與吳蠻琵琶的超凡脫俗與響亮。他形容吳蠻的四弦多品琵琶，撥弦彈奏手法獨特，快速重複單個音符 (或柔音)，有如以布魯斯音樂般的語言，講述一個充滿詩意的異國情節，令人興奮。在這場音樂會上，他還見證了作曲家梁雷把現代風格和傳統歌曲組合起來，讓「大浪淘沙」和「春江花月夜」這樣的曲目，從獨奏、二重奏和弦樂四重奏的如花飄盪出多樣性，卻從不曾失落其樂音精華。

                      中華表演藝術基金會表示，5月6日的這場「弦之樂」音樂會錄影，將於近日上傳Youtube，供大眾免費欣賞。聆聽，網址為https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUDuiQiOzZI_M7iDNXWXEDA/videos。關注中華表演基金會，可上 Instagram: @ cathychanfcpa。

麻州文化協會文化設施基金撥款766萬資助94團體

Mass Cultural Council & MassDevelopment Celebrate 94 New Cultural Facilities Fund Awards Totaling $7.66 Million

BOSTON – Today MassDevelopment and Mass Cultural Council, two state agencies that jointly administer the Cultural Facilities Fund (CFF), announce the 94 recipients of the FY23 CFF grant round, investing a total of $7,661,000 into cultural facilities and projects throughout the Commonwealth. “Massachusetts is fortunate to be home to many museums, theaters, and other arts and culture-based destinations, and the Cultural Facilities Fund provides an important avenue for the Commonwealth to co-invest in their upkeep and expansion,” said MassDevelopment President and CEO Dan Rivera. “These institutions are core to our economy – driving tourism, creating jobs, and educating and inspiring countless visitors. MassDevelopment is proud to administer this fund together with the Mass Cultural Council, and thanks the Healey-Driscoll Administration and Legislature for their support.” The CFF provides capital and planning grants to nonprofit organizations, colleges, and municipalities that own or operate facilities primarily focused on the arts, humanities, and sciences. CFF awards invest in the acquisition, design, repair, renovation, expansion, and construction of nonprofit and municipal cultural facilities. All CFF awards are subject to a 1:1 matching requirement. Funded annually through the Governor’s Capital Spending Plan, this round of CFF grants is supported by a $10 million capital bond appropriation approved in 2022. The Healey-Driscoll Administration has also proposed a $10 million appropriation in its second supplemental budget to support an additional round of the program. “The Cultural Facilities Fund is such a wonderful partnership – created by the Legislature, funded annually by the Administration, and jointly managed by Mass Cultural Council and MassDevelopment – all parties working together to ensure that cultural infrastructure has a public source for maintenance and support in Massachusetts,” said Michael J. Bobbitt Executive Director, Mass Cultural Council. “These facilities are an important part of the Commonwealth’s creative and cultural sector, hosting public events, meetings, concerts, and classes, allowing creatives to engage with members, visitors, and audiences. It’s so important – for safety, for access, and for our state economy – to invest in and take good care of these gathering places, so that we can all engage and partake in the power of culture.” There are three types of awards available through the Cultural Facilities Fund: Capital Grants, which support the acquisition, design, construction, repair, renovation, rehabilitation or other capital improvements or deferred maintenance of a cultural facility. Feasibility & Technical Assistance Grants, for costs and expenses related to overall planning and feasibility for a proposed eligible project. Systems Replacement Plan Grants (SRP), a specific type of Feasibility and Technical Assistance Grant specifically designed for organizations without full-time maintenance staff. The SRP is a 20-year capital needs assessment of the building and its mechanical systems. In this 15th grant round, a total of 179 applications were received: 137 proposals for capital projects; 31 for Feasibility and Technical Assistance grants; and 11 for SRP grants. Seventy-six, or 42% of these applications were submitted by first-time applicants to Mass Cultural Council, and 16, or 9% of the applications were submitted by organizations who self-identify as BIPOC-centered organizations. A total of 94 awards worth $7,661,000 was approved by a vote of the MassDevelopment Board of Directors on May 11, including: 59 Capital Grants - totaling $6,894,000. 25 Feasibility and Technical Assistance Grants - totaling $668,000. 10 Systems Replacement Plan Grants - totaling $99,000. “Mass Cultural Council has adopted an Agency-wide recruitment and outreach strategy to ensure creative and cultural sector stakeholders from every artistic discipline and community are aware of our resources,” said Bobbitt. “I am pleased to welcome these 76 new cultural organizations and hope they will continue to engage with our programming. A complete list of the Cultural Facilities Fund grant recipients is available online; below are five examples of capital projects receiving an award: Otis Historical Commission, Otis - $200,000 for the renovation and repurposing of the historic St. Paul’s Church to become the Otis Cultural Center. Creative Hub Worcester, Inc., Worcester - $200,000 to support the transformation of a historic 1914 community building into the future Creative Hub Community Arts Center. Love Art Collective, Springfield - $174,000 for the acquisition of a new commercial space to create a community center named Block Art Studio. The Sandwich Historical Society, Sandwich - $140,000 for structural renovations, fire/health safety and energy efficiency improvements. Puppet Showplace, Inc., Brookline - $138,000 for new lighting, sound, and projection systems, accessible ramps, and exterior façade renovations. About the Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Fund The CFF was created by an act of the Legislature in 2006 to achieve the following goals: Enhance Massachusetts’ creative economy through financing for acquisition, construction, expansion, renovation, and repair of cultural facilities. Increase employment, entrepreneurialism, and tourism in the regions where these facilities are located, especially drawing new visitors from outside the Commonwealth. Stimulate further investment in the arts, heritage, and sciences by preserving cultural resources. Since 2007 the CFF has awarded $162,013,646 to 1,398 projects across the Commonwealth, employing more than 35,444 architects, engineers, contractors, and construction workers. The nonprofit organizations engaged in this work expect to add 2,992 new permanent jobs after completing their projects. The CFF’s impact extends beyond the nonprofit cultural sector in ways that benefit Massachusetts’ broader economy. The organizations awarded grants generate millions in annual economic activity through direct spending on everything from supplies to energy and advertising. They are popular tourist destinations: prior to the COVID-19 pandemic more than six million people visited these sites, one-third from out of state. The CFF has also spurred private investment, leveraging about $2.9 billion in spending from the funded projects. Finally, CFF grants contribute to cultural preservation by helping to restore and expand many of our nation’s most treasured historical landmarks. About Mass Cultural Council Mass Cultural Council, an independent state arts agency, is charged with bolstering the Commonwealth’s creative and cultural sector. The Agency’s efforts advance economic vitality, support transformational change, and celebrate, preserve, and inspire creativity across all Massachusetts communities. About MassDevelopment MassDevelopment, the state’s development finance agency and land bank, works with businesses, nonprofits, banks, and communities to stimulate economic growth across the Commonwealth. During FY2022, MassDevelopment financed or managed 356 projects generating investment of more than $1.69 billion in the Massachusetts economy. These projects are estimated to create or support 11,080 jobs and build or preserve 1,778 housing units.

麻州長首度簽署公告 訂五月為猶太裔傳統月 (圖片)

 

波士頓房屋局協助75戶人家成為有殼蝸牛

MAYOR MICHELLE WU ANNOUNCES 75 FAMILIES ARE NEW HOMEOWNERS WITH SUPPORT FROM CITY New ARPA funding allowed residents to purchase homes in 11 neighborhoods

BOSTON - Tuesday, May 16, 2023 -  Mayor Michelle Wu today announced that the City has assisted 75 Boston families to become homeowners through new funding which supported a combination of a discounted interest rate and enhanced down-payment and closing cost assistance programs. These are the first home sales made possible through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which provided funds to help Boston residents purchase homes in the city. A total of $1,384,432 was given in down payment assistance. A total of $669,843 has been provided in interest rate subsidies. Of the 75 home buyers purchasing homes, 71 percent were Black, Indigenous, and/or people of color. Helping Boston residents of color purchase homes is an important step in the administration’s goal of increasing generational wealth and building stable, diverse communities. Homes were purchased in 11 different neighborhoods in Boston, demonstrating the widespread impact of the program and contributing to the growth and development of Boston's neighborhoods. The homes were purchased in West Roxbury, the South End, Roxbury, Roslindale, Mattapan, Jamaica Plain, Hyde Park, East Boston, Dorchester, Allston-Brighton, and Downtown. "Homeownership is crucial to building generational wealth and long term stability for residents and families across Boston’s neighborhoods," said Mayor Michelle Wu. "As we work to make sure that Boston is the best place to live and raise a family, we are proud to support these 75 families in purchasing their homes. Boston’s down payment assistance program is one important way we are working urgently to build generational wealth and stabilize communities in every neighborhood." “Housing stability is crucial for residents to live and thrive in our city, and homeownership is one of the surest ways for our families to achieve this stability and create generational wealth,” said City Council President Ed Flynn. “This ARPA funding not only helped 75 residents in purchasing their homes, but it also helped our city in ensuring that our communities remain vibrant and diverse. I look forward to working with everyone to ensure that the City of Boston continues to provide resources for homeownership and affordable housing.” "Down payment costs are one of the most significant hurdles that first-time homebuyers are faced with, especially for marginalized communities that have been historically and systematically disenfranchised from such opportunities. Utilizing ARPA funds to secure 75 new homes largely for marginalized communities is indicative of the City of Boston's commitment to creating equitable housing opportunities for all,” said Councilor Kendra Lara. “As Chair of the Housing and Community Development Committee, l am committed to stabilizing our neighborhoods from displacement and further gentrification.” "This funding is a crucial opportunity to build generational wealth and tackle the racial wealth gap," said Councilor Brian Worrell. "I was proud to partner with Mayor Wu to make this assistance a reality for these families, and I look forward to continuing to further policies that ensure Boston is an affordable place to live for all of our residents." Of the housing purchased, 31 were condos, 9 were single-family homes, and the remaining were multifamily housing. This range of housing helped to provide affordable options for families of all sizes.  “The City has made a significant amount of its ARPA funding available to assist Boston families buy their first home,” said Sheila Dillon, Chief of Housing. “This funding has allowed us to provide larger down payments and better mortgage products to our residents, helping offset the high cost of housing.  We remain committed to increasing the rates of homeownership in Boston, as a strategy to build intergenerational wealth and stabilize neighborhoods. We are excited to see the positive impact that these new homeowners will have on our City.” The interest rate subsidy and down payment assistance programs are an important part of the Mayor's Office of Housing's efforts to encourage homeownership in Boston. Owning a home is one of the most important ways to build and preserve wealth and open access to other financial benefits. These programs help to reduce the financial burden of purchasing a home, making it more accessible to residents. The interest rate subsidy helps to reduce the overall cost of homeownership, making it more sustainable in the long term. “We have been trying to buy a place off and on for almost 35 years,” said new homeowners Julieta Lopez and Julien Williams. “We had to stop because of many trials and tribulations. This was going to be our last shot. We thank the Office of Housing so much for their assistance and most of all their patience.” "We are thrilled to be a part of this amazing program and to see the impact it has had on the lives of Boston residents," said Bob Driscoll, Senior Vice President and Director of Residential Lending at Rockland Trust Bank. "The combination of discounted interest rates and enhanced down-payment and closing cost assistance has made it possible for 75 Boston families to achieve their dream of homeownership. We are grateful for the opportunity to be a part of such a meaningful program and to support our community in this way. We look forward to continuing our work with the City of Boston and our partners to help even more residents achieve their dream of homeownership in the years to come." The Mayor's Office of Housing encourages all Boston residents who are interested in purchasing a home to explore the options available through the programs hosted by the Boston Home Center. The homeowner programs are designed to help residents of all backgrounds and are a valuable resource for anyone looking to achieve the dream of homeownership. For more information about the down payment assistance program and other affordable housing options in Boston, please visit the Mayor's Office of Housing website. The Office of Housing supports Boston residents in their journey toward homeownership. By creating more affordable housing options and reducing financial barriers, the office hopes to help build a more equitable and inclusive Boston.

麻州總檢察官辦公室調查波士頓警察局幫派小組

Andrea Campbell (檔案照片)

              (Boston Orange 編譯) 麻州總檢察長Andrea Campbell 的辦公室表示，收到波士頓警察局幫派及幫派數據庫小組在執法時有種族歧視後，正在進行調查。

              Andrea Campbell辦公室在一份聲明中說，” 民權小組正在審閱「打擊青年暴力部隊 (Youth Violence Strike Force) 」，以及其幫派評估數據庫” 。該辦公室收到的指控稱，從2018年到現在，可能存在著執法有種族歧視的模式。他們得到波士頓警察局全面配合，正在調查，還沒有任何發現獲結論。

              「打擊青年暴力部隊 (Youth Violence Strike Force) 」就是一般人認知的警察局幫派小組。波士頓警察局在網站上稱這小組旨在經由直接的，以及基於社區的執行警務策略，來減少觸法青少年的犯罪活動，以及反社會行為。

              2020年的警察改革法給了麻州總檢察長辦公室權力，調查警察在執行警務時，是否模式性的種族歧視。當年這警察改革法制定時，最為人知的市成立了「和平警察標準及培訓委員會 (The Peace Officer Standards & Training Commission)」，一個能夠把指控交給麻州總檢察長辦公室的警察監督小組。不過根據新規定，麻州總檢察長也可以主動發起調查。

              Campbell的辦公室稱之道有一張印有總檢察長辦公室標誌，宣佈這調查的傳單，但發言人稱那張傳單是假造的，既不是該辦公室印製的，也不是他們發出去的。

              幫派數據庫一直是人們關注的重點，倡議份子稱那個數據庫太著重於黑人及西班牙裔年輕男子，在他們身上烙下難以撼動的印記，導致警察基於不足夠，甚至有時錯誤的資訊而執勤過度。包括數名市議員在內的批評者，希望完全廢除這數據庫。

              支持這分名單的人則說，那是對市內已知的幫派份子及暴力罪犯動態，保持了解的重要工具。截至去年，該名單上有3000多個人名。

              Andrea Campbell曾連任數屆波士頓市議員，也當過市議會議長，公安委員會主席。2021年時她參選波士頓市長，政見包括改革並刪減波士頓警察局預算，減少特別小組警員人數，把諸如幫派小組遷出各實體機構，回歸巡邏做法。

前屋斯特市經理 Edward M. Augustus 將出任麻州首位房屋廳廳長

圖片來自維基百科

            (Boston Orange 編譯) 麻州州長奚莉 (Maura Healey) 及副州長Kim Driscoll今 (15) 日宣佈，指派曾任屋斯特 (Worcester)市經理 的Edward M. Augustus出任麻州歷來首位房屋廳廳長 (Housing Secretary) ，訂6月1日上任。。

                                         這一新職位的全稱為住宅及宜居社區 (Housing and Livable Communities) 廳廳長。

              Edward M. Augustus當年在任時，曾為屋斯特市蓋了數以千計，供不同收入層次民眾居住的住宅單位。奚莉州長稱他嫻熟地方政府市務，知道如何和市鎮合作，達成州政府的住宅目標，是麻州此刻需要的領袖。副州長Kim Driscoll則說，專為住宅設立一個廳長級職位，將大幅度影響麻州處理住宅危機的能力。

              Edward M. Augustus 在2014至2022年間，擔任人口20多萬，作為麻州門戶城市之一的屋斯特市市經理。他在位期間監管並分配2530萬元的社區發展集團(Community Development Block Group)，住家投資合夥項目 (HOME Investment Partnerships Program) ，以及屋斯特減鉛健康家庭計畫 (Worcester Lead Abatement and Healthy Homes Program) 經費，為麻州有補助住宅數量第三多的屋斯特市，在全市發展並保存2000個以上可負擔住宅單位。Edward M. Augustus還把來自聯邦政府的美國援救法 (ARPA)的3000萬元，用於為屋斯特市蓋住宅，包括1500萬元撥給了可負擔住宅信託基金。

              在屋斯特市經理一職上，Edward M. Augustus管理7億5000萬元預算，以及9000萬元的” 重振城市20年計畫”。他率先支持撥款2億4000萬元來重新發展屋斯特市運河區地標，包括從帶領波士頓紅襪隊AAA附隊 (WooSox) 遷移到屋斯特市，道建造多用途極地公園體育館，酒店，以及住宅大樓，以及Kelley廣場交界處的重新設計等。

在加入伍斯特市之前，Edward M. Augustus曾擔任聖十字學院政府與社區關係主任、伍斯特第二選區麻州參議員、國會議員吉姆麥戈文 (Jim McGovern) 的幕僚長，以及柯林頓 (Clinton) 政府教育部政府間及機構間事務助理部長。 他最近擔任院長學院 (Dean College)的校長。

              麻州州長在3月1日時向麻州議會遞交第87號法案，要設立州長辦公室的住宅及宜居社區廳，把麻州政府目前的住宅及經濟發展辦公室從原本的經濟發展廳獨立出來，成為一個新的廳長級職位，並把其工作範圍，擴大至包括建造房屋。

              這一新設職位將專注於住宅，並推動在大眾交通系統沿線，造更多可負擔房屋，降低開銷的方法，以期人民可以住得和工作地點距離更近，更容易獲得醫療護理，採購雜貨，得到其他的基本生活服務。

Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll Name Edward M. Augustus as Housing Secretary 

Former Worcester City Manager with record of creating thousands of housing units will lead administration’s new Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities 

 

BOSTON – Governor Maura Healey and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll today announced that they are naming former Worcester City Manager Edward (Ed) M. Augustus to serve as the state’s first Housing Secretary in more than 30 years. Augustus, who helped to create thousands of new housing units at all income levels during his tenure in Worcester, will lead Governor Healey’s new Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities beginning June 1. 

 

“Ed Augustus is the leader Massachusetts needs to take the helm of our new Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities and drive an ambitious, collaborative strategy to increase housing production and lower costs across the state,” said Governor Maura Healey. “He left Worcester a stronger city than it was a decade ago, with booming economic development in the downtown and thousands of new housing units. Importantly, he is intimately familiar with local government and knows what it takes to collaborate with municipalities to move our state forward on our housing goals.”  

 

“The establishment of a cabinet-level secretariat dedicated solely to housing will have a major impact on Massachusetts’ ability to address this crisis and lower costs across the state. Ed Augustus has the right experience, vision and drive to lead this important work,” said Lieutenant Governor Driscoll. “His motto is ‘How do we get to yes?’ which is an approach our entire administration is embracing. We’re committed to partnering with cities and towns to ensure they have the resources and support they need to give a hearty “Yes!” to housing development in their communities.” 

 

“I’m honored that Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll have placed their faith in me to lead the new Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities. Massachusetts' housing crisis impacts every single community in our state, but we know what the solution is – build more housing,” said Augustus. “This administration recognizes that there is no one-size-fits-all strategy to achieving this and that we must work closely with communities to deploy a diverse toolbox of options to meet their unique needs. That’s what this new secretariat will be committed to doing.” 

 

Augustus served as City Manager of Worcester, functioning as the Chief Administrative and Executive Officer of the Gateway City of more than 200,000 people, from 2014-2022. During his tenure, he oversaw the commitment or distribution of $25.3 million in Community Development Block Group, HOME Investment Partnerships Program, and Worcester Lead Abatement and Healthy Homes Program funds to develop or preserve more than 2,000 affordable housing units throughout the City. Worcester is the city with the third largest subsidized housing inventory in the state. Augustus also dedicated $30 million of the ARPA funds coming into the city to housing, including $15 million for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. 

 

As City Manager, Augustus managed a $750 million budget, as well as the $90 million, 20-year Urban Revitalization Plan. Notably, he spearheaded the $240 million landmark redevelopment of Worcester’s Canal District, including leading the complex negotiation to relocate the Boston Red Sox AAA-affiliate (now the WooSox) to the city and construction of the multi-use Polar Park stadium, hotel, and housing development, as well as the Kelley Square intersection redesign.  

 

Prior to joining the City of Worcester, Augustus served as Director of Government & Community Relations for the College of Holy Cross, State Senator for the 2^nd Worcester District, Chief of Staff for Congressman Jim McGovern, and Chief of Staff to the Assistant Secretary for Intergovernmental and Interagency Affairs at the U.S. Department of Education under President Clinton’s Administration. He most recently served as Chancellor of Dean College. 

 

Governor Healey filed Article 87 legislation to create the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities on March 1. The legislation moves the Department of Housing and Community Development out of the current Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development into the new secretariat and broadens its scope of work to also include housing production. 

 

This new cabinet-level secretariat will be solely dedicated to housing and driving solutions to create more homes and lower costs. It will focus on the urgent need to build places to live that are affordable and closer to public transit – giving residents access to jobs, medical care, groceries, and other essential services. The Housing Secretary will work collaboratively with stakeholders – public housing authorities, cities and towns, the federal government, non-profits, developers, landlords, renters and advocates – to develop a comprehensive housing development and stabilization strategy. The secretariat will also administer financial assistance and programs focused on housing production, rehabilitation, preservation, affordability, stability and security, while centering fairness and equity with every opportunity. 

波士頓華人投資協會第2屆創投簡報賽 MyroBalan奪冠

波士頓華人投資協會創辦人易敏 (前右五)和主辦團隊，嘉賓、參賽者合影。 (周菊子攝)

 

波士頓華人投資協會創辦人易敏 (右二)  向 MyroBalan的
三名創辦人，左起王靜，何志剛，馮國平道喜。 (周菊子攝)

                    (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 波士頓華人投資協會 (BCIC) 日前在南波士頓Cambria旅館，舉辦第2屆國際生物醫療創投大賽，從86家參賽企業中選出MyroBalan療法等共6名優勝者。

MyroBalan的共同創辦人王靜，親自講解該公司研發內容，
計畫籌資2000萬元。 (周菊子攝)

                    BCIC今年的創投大賽，重點關注在北美具有潛力的高品質早期生物科技項目，並促進初創企業和投資者之間的交流。今年的參賽隊伍，決賽獎項也都創新高。去年有48隊報名，今年暴增至86家企業參賽，其中有5家公司的成員包括多名美國院士。這些初創公司經過為期半年的數輪競爭後，共有18家打入決賽，12家分別在網上，或在麻州南波士頓的現場做簡報，即席回答評審提問。

                        經過一整天的簡報後，獲選的優勝團隊依序為，第一名MyroBalan；第二名有2名，InGel療法和Full Circles 療法；第三名有3名，Neodroid 生物科學公司，Elpis 生物製藥公司，以及DoriVac免疫療法公司。

德州的 InGel療法贏得第二名，江一鵬  (左) 領獎。

                   MyroBalan共同創辦人兼執行長王靜當天親自出馬，解說該公司的「腦信息欄重塑 (Brain Infobahn Restoration) 」，是在研發中樞神經疾病的小分子療法。該公司科學創辦人馮國平是麻省理工學院麥高文研究所腦神經學教授暨博德研究所 (Broad Institute)研究員，另一名科學創辦人是2021年當選為美國醫學院院士的何志剛。MyroBalan於2021年8月創立後，9月完成種子輪融資，在波士頓和南京設有研究實驗室，現有20多名員工，已申請5項專利，估計到2024年時，需要融資2000萬元以跨入臨床階段。

由吳昊做簡報的Full Circle 也贏得第二名。 (周菊子攝)

第二名的得獎者分別為針對色素性視網膜炎找出幹細胞療法的InGel療法，以及藉由平台開發新型治療性基因組藥物的Full Circles 療法公司。第三名有3名，依序為研發下一代納米醫學的Neodroid 生物科學公司，針對腫瘤做臨床階段生物技術的Elpis 生物製藥公司，以及用DNA納米技術開發癌症免疫療法的臨床前生物技術公司DoriVac。

曾洋(左)代表DoriVac 從BCIC創辦人易敏手中領第三名獎座。 (周菊子攝)

                      其餘的12個入圍決賽團隊或企業，都獲得創新獎。分別為Dart 生物科學，Likarda責任有限公司，Fuse生物醫藥，Carta生物醫藥，Aplife 生物科技，Adcura公司；SunVax mRNA 療法；大灣生物 (Great Bay Bio)，Santomean 療法，Elpis 生物療法，Cellula 生物製藥公司，511療法等。

麻省理工學院首席研究員張曙光不只當嘉賓，也參加了簡報
比賽，在他的休假一年中，為治療胰臟癌研發mABs療法的
511療法公司做簡報。 (周菊子攝)

                  這場創投大賽邀請了哈佛大學生物化學及分子藥理學教授Gerhard Wagner，麻省理工學院首席研究科學家張曙光，波士頓上海張江企業園財務長田華，朴道資本 (Pagoda Tree Partners)創辦人魯彥岑，美迪西生物醫藥創辦人兼執行長陳春麟，ATLATL創投中心創辦人兼執行長朱鵬程，香港科學園區企業發展資深經理

JJ Lake的負責人柳一夫解說該機構為初創企業提供的服務，
以及其背後Oriza集團旗下的多家資本公司。 (周菊子攝)

William Cheung等人擔任評審，並為大賽做主題演說，或介紹各自企業的概況。

         贊助商也多半是為創業者提供所需服務的企業，例如柳一夫做說明，為初創企業提供創業輔導，資金來源，並側重協助美國企業進軍亞洲的JJ Lake，請有李開復做榮譽董事長，設有基金，要做科技創新服務平台，也辦全球創業比賽的Hicool 商學院。         

            其中的朱鵬程，原本為波士頓海外華人企業家協會成員，2010年在波士頓創業有成後，2017年回中國發展，其後成立ATLATL創投中心，為生物醫藥領域初創公司提供平台，實驗室空間並橋接投資。 

BCIC會後宣佈成立AlphaBio Ventures LLC。 (主辦機構提供)

BCIC創辦人易敏指出，由於這場大賽的參賽隊伍來自世界各地，又有E藥經理人、深藍觀、賽柏藍，以及HiCool等合作夥伴全程直播，儘管在波士頓主賽場僅約百人出席，但在線看直播的卻有上萬人。

              BCIC會後宣佈成立生物醫療投資服務公司AlphaBio Ventures LLC。

BCIC 2023創投簡報會工作團隊合影。 (主辦機構提供)