CITY OF BOSTON ACHIEVES RESULTS FOR AMERICA WHAT WORKS CITIES’ GOLD CERTIFICATION

CITY OF BOSTON ACHIEVES RESULTS FOR AMERICA WHAT WORKS CITIES’ GOLD CERTIFICATION New certification demonstrates the City’s exceptional use of data to inform policy decisions and improve services for residents

BOSTON - Tuesday, January 23, 2024 - Mayor Michelle Wu today announced that the City of Boston has been awarded the Bloomberg Philanthropies’ What Works Cities Certification at the Gold Level for establishing exceptional data capabilities to inform policy decisions, allocate funding, improve services, evaluate program effectiveness, and engage residents. Strengthened in 2022 to include new equity requirements, the What Works Cities Certification is the first-of-its-kind standard of excellence for data-informed and well-managed local government. With today’s announcement, Boston becomes one of 74 cities that have achieved the What Works Cities Certification distinction with more than 160 cities having submitted applications since 2017. This certification builds on Mayor Wu’s vision of an inclusive City that serves all residents. “Our charge in local government is to continuously improve city services, opportunities, policy, and programming to reach our residents,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “Boston is working everyday to build on our use of data for smart decision making and operational transparency. This gold certification is a significant step forward in our work to build a City that is truly inclusive, and I’m excited to continue our efforts across city departments to best serve all of our residents.” The City of Boston has deepened investments across city departments to make better use of data around evaluating policies and improving processes for residents. The City is also making strides to ensure city workers are informed and best equipped to use emerging technology to advance service delivery, notably seen with the City releasing guidelines for using generative AI.  These guidelines serve as a key resource for the City’s workforce and supports the successful implementation of AI in city services.  “Being awarded the Gold Certification, shows that Boston is a leader in using data to make our City government work more equitably and efficiently for all of our constituents,” said Santiago Garces, Chief Information Officer. “In the Department of Innovation and Technology, we have furthered investments in evaluation, process improvements, and leading in AI, empowering our city staff and community members to build a better Boston.” In 2023, the Mayor’s Office for LGBTQ+ Advancement, a department within the Equity & Inclusion Cabinet, researched how and when the City should be asking about gender identity through a series of data-driven projects including engaging residents through focus groups and evaluating constituents' overall experience with Marriage License processes. Based on the City’s findings, the Cabinet worked with the Department of Innovation and Technology to develop a citywide Gender Aware Guidelines and Standards that clarified the collection of gender-identity data for city workers - leading to a more dignified constituent experience.   “This recognition reflects our commitment to leveraging data for informed decision-making, equitable resource allocation, and inclusive governance,” said Mariangely Solis Cervera, Chief of the Equity and Inclusion Cabinet. “I am particularly proud of our strides in advancing equitable data practices, such as the development of Gender Aware Guidelines and Standards. This certification not only signifies our city's progress but also reinforces our collective focus on building stronger communities through the transformative power of data.”  The What Works Cities Certification Standard measures a city’s use of data based on 43 criteria. A city that achieves 51–67 percent of the 43 criteria is recognized at the Silver level of Certification, 68–84 percent is required to achieve Gold, and 85 percent or more is required to reach Platinum. With this new certification, the City of Boston joins 12 newly certified cities, six other currently certified cities which have achieved a higher certification level and four cities being re-certified.   In 2022, What Works Cities Certification released updated criteria for cities to achieve recognition for excellence in using data to improve local government operations and policies. The new criteria also include the practice of disaggregating data to avoid algorithmic bias. Additionally, Certification now requires cities to show that they meet an internationally recognized standard on at least one of three outcomes: air pollution, the percentage of households with high-speed broadband subscriptions, or a high-priority outcome the city chooses that aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs). Further information about today’s announcement is [here: link to international release]. “We are excited to welcome the newly Certified cities and congratulate those cities which have achieved a higher level or re-Certified—they have all demonstrated a collective focus on how data can be used to build stronger communities,” said Rochelle Haynes, Managing Director of What Works Cities Certification. “These cities understand that local government data use is a pre-condition to solving problems, assessing what is working, and improving how their city halls do business – and they are investing their resources accordingly.”   “The Bloomberg Philanthropies What Works Cities Certification program represents a fast-growing community of policymakers raising the bar on what is possible for local government when it leverages data to address major challenges and opportunities facing the city,” said James Anderson, who leads the Government Innovation program at Bloomberg Philanthropies. “More than 160 cities across the Americas are seeking the What Works Cities Certification seal of approval because city halls – like any other effective modern organization – must be leveraging data to make better decisions. The program provides local governments with that North Star – and we are glad to see its reach continue to grow.”  The What Works Cities Certification program, launched in 2017 by Bloomberg Philanthropies and led by Results for America, is the international standard of data excellence in city governance. The program is open to any city in North, Central or South America with a population of 30,000 or more. To learn more, visit whatworkscities.org.

Healey-Driscoll Administration and Broad Coalition of Stakeholders Testify in Support of Veterans Legislative Package

Healey-Driscoll Administration and Broad Coalition of Stakeholders Testify in Support of Veterans Legislative Package 

An Act Honoring, Empowering, and Recognizing Our Servicemembers and Veterans (HERO Act) will positively impact hundreds of thousands of veterans living in Massachusetts. 

 

BOSTON – Today, Governor Maura Healey, and Secretary of the Veterans Services Jon Santiago testified in support of H. 4172, the An Act Honoring, Empowering, and Recognizing our Servicemembers and Veterans (HERO Act), before the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs.     

 
The HERO Act marks the first comprehensive legislative package dedicated to veterans' welfare introduced by a Massachusetts Governor in two decades. 

 

“The HERO Act represents a visionary commitment by our administration to redefine the landscape of veterans' services for Massachusetts. At its core, the bill ensures that veterans receive proper support by expanding benefits, modernizing services, and reaching more veterans and families,” said Governor Maura Healey. "Together, we can ensure that Massachusetts not only does right by our veterans, but leads the nation in providing the best veterans’ services.” 

“As the proud daughter of a Navy veteran, I understand the impact that the sacrifices made by our servicemembers have on military families," said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. "That's why we filed the HERO Act – to ensure we actively support our veterans and their families in the most effective manner possible." 

 

"When veterans return home from active duty and transition into civilian life, our priority at the Executive Office of Veterans Services is to ensure they and their families receive support," said Secretary Jon Santiago. "The legislation takes a vital stride towards meeting the diverse needs of our veteran community, addressing issues from expanding benefits to modernizing services." 

The HERO Act proposes 17 spending and policy initiatives, tax credits, and statutory changes seeking to improve the lives of veterans through benefit expansion, commitment to inclusivity and greater representation, and modernization of veterans’ services. Key highlights include:  

 

• Increasing the EOVS Disabled Veteran Annuity: Increases the annual annuity paid from $2,000 to $2,500, phased in over two fiscal years.  

• Expanding Veteran Access to Behavioral Health Treatment: Allows any Chapter 115 recipient to be reimbursed for outpatient behavioral health care visits.  

• Increasing the Vet-Hire Tax Credit: Increase the tax credit to $2,500 for small businesses hiring chronically unemployed or low-income veterans. Eligible veterans include those receiving SNAP benefits, chronically unemployed veterans, and unemployed service-connected disabled veterans.  

• Increasing access to the Active-Duty Buyback program: This provision lengthens the timeframe for veterans to participate in the Active-Duty Service Buyback program from 180 days to 10 years and provides a retroactive grace period for veteran state employees who missed this opportunity.  

• Broadening the Chapter 115 Definition of a Veteran: Better aligns the state Chapter 115 program definition of a veteran with the federal definition. This change allows more Massachusetts veterans to be eligible for the annuity, Chapter 115 benefits, and other state benefits. This only applies to EOVS programs and does not affect any other agency or entity.  

 

The administration collaborated with municipal veteran service officers representing more than 100 municipalities and engaged with over 30 nonprofit partners to determine the legislative and programmatic priorities of the veteran community. A comprehensive 50-state review of veteran policies and legislative efforts was also conducted. 

MAYOR WU AND CITY OF BOSTON REPARATIONS TASK FORCE ANNOUNCE RESEARCHERS SELECTED TO DOCUMENT HISTORY AND LEGACY OF SLAVERY IN BOSTON

MAYOR WU AND CITY OF BOSTON REPARATIONS TASK FORCE ANNOUNCE RESEARCHERS SELECTED TO DOCUMENT HISTORY AND LEGACY OF SLAVERY IN BOSTON The selected research teams will produce a comprehensive report documenting City’s role in and ties to the transatlantic slave trade and institution of slavery, helping complete the first phase of the Task Force’s work and building the foundation for the Task Force’s recommendations on local reparations.

BOSTON - Wednesday, January 24, 2024 - Mayor Michelle Wu and the City of Boston Reparations Task Force today announced the two teams of historians selected to research and document the City of Boston’s role in and historical ties to the transatlantic slave trade and the institution and legacies of slavery. Research teams will conduct both original historical research and provide a comprehensive review of major themes and findings on the City’s history from 1620 to the present. This announcement follows the City and Task Force’s release of a request for proposals (RFP) seeking researchers to study the history and legacy of slavery in Boston last September. A budget totaling $500,000 has been allocated to support the comprehensive research effort, which will culminate in a detailed written report. Funding to support this research will be sustained by federal relief funds and the City’s annual operating budget. Awardees and the Task Force will be present for the next Reparations Task Force public meeting on Tuesday, February 6th from 6:30-8:00 p.m. More details (including opportunity for public comment) for the meeting will be available on boston.gov/reparations. “I’m grateful to these teams of historians who will serve our city by documenting Boston’s role in the trans-Atlantic slave trade and the myriad legacies of slavery that continue to impact the daily lives of our city’s communities,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “Through their scholarship and partnership with our task force, we will better understand the full picture of our city’s history and look forward to their comprehensive report that will build on our ongoing efforts.”  The City of Boston is awarding contracts to the following teams: Dr. Kerri Greenidge, Mellon Associate Professor in Studies of Race, Colonialism, and Diaspora, Tufts University; Dr. Kendra Field, Director of the Study of Race and Democracy and Associate Professor of History, Tufts University; and Kyera Singleton, Executive Director of the Royall House and Slave Quarters and their team will cover 1620 to 1940 (Units of Study 1-5). A coalition from Northeastern University led by Margaret Burnham, University Distinguished Professor and Director of the Civil Rights and Restorative Justice Project, and Dr. Deborah Jackson, Managing Director of the Center for Law, Equity, and Race; and composed of a team including (but not limited to) Dr. Ted Landsmark, Distinguished Professor of Public Policy and Urban Affairs;, community leader Donna Bivens, and Richard O’Bryant, Director of the John D. O’Bryant African American Institute; will cover 1940 to the present (Unit of Study 6). Awardees were selected following a comprehensive Request for Proposals process, including interviews and rigorous evaluations by a committee of both Task Force members and City staff. Candidates were evaluated based not only on the quality of their proposals, but also their dedication to Boston’s history both professionally and personally, demonstrated expertise within a specific time period, proficiency with community-engaged historical methods, and a commitment to transformative and restorative approaches to historical narrative.  In addition to their writing and research work, selected research partners will present updates about their findings throughout the research process, with the opportunity for community members to engage with their ongoing work.  “The research team of the African American Trail Project at Tufts University, in partnership with the Royall House and Slave Quarters, is excited to work with Northeastern University and the Boston Mayor's Office to produce a report on slavery and its legacies in the city,” said Dr. Kerri Greenidge, Mellon Associate Professor in Studies of Race, Colonialism, and Diaspora. “We believe that understanding the city's history is essential to building a more just and equitable Boston for all.” “Our City’s leaders have opened up a vital opportunity for those who live and work here to learn about how slavery and its wide-ranging aftermath have impacted our common history as well as our unique experiences,” said Margaret Burnham, University Distinguished Professor and Director of the Civil Rights and Restorative Justice Project. “Our team at Northeastern University looks forward with great enthusiasm to providing research support.  Our work will, we hope, both inform the mission of the Reparations Task Force and offer insights into these past events for constituencies across the city.” The selection marks the first significant step towards completing the work of the Reparations Task Force, as obligated by the Ordinance passed on December 22, 2022. Partners are expected to complete their work with the Task Force within one year. The resulting report produced by the selected researchers will directly inform the Task Force’s recommendations for next steps towards truth, reconciliation, and reparations addressing the City of Boston’s historical involvement in the slave trade and the institution and legacies of slavery. “The Reparations Task Force and the City of Boston are now prepared to examine the historical and current day impacts of slavery in the City of Boston”, said Joseph D. Feaster, Jr., Chair of the Reparations Task Force. “With the selection of our distinguished researchers to provide the underpinnings for our examination of the issue, I am confident that the Reparations Task Force, in collaboration with the community, will be able to present thoughtful and cogent recommendations on the City of Boston’s reparations response.” “Boston is on trial to redress historical injustices that flow directly and indirectly from the institution of chattel slavery, and the examination of the truth and expansion of the narrative that  will give us that evidentiary pool from which to argue for repair,” said L’Merchie Frazier, Member of the Reparations Task Force. “Speaking as a member of the evaluation team from the Task Force, we strove to select the most competent researchers to frame this complicated history from an archival basis of truth and fact. I am certain that these teams will provide the critical information, across centuries of study, that will elucidate claims of individuals and their descendants as direct victims of the injustice of slavery; and, with the community, enable the Task Force to form our recommendations for local reparative justice.” “At such a critical time in the city and nation, this historic milestone will define our pathway forward toward racial justice, truth and reconciliation that is centuries overdue,” said Lori Nelson, Senior Advisor for Racial Justice. “I commend the members of the Task Force and the resilience of Black community  to ensure that we are authentic in our work toward preserving history, acknowledging harms, and repairing lives.” The City of Boston established the Reparations Task Force in accordance with a 2022 City Ordinance to study the impact of slavery in Boston. Members of the task force were announced in February 2023. The members are as follows: Chair Joseph D. Feaster, Jr., Esq., Attorney, former President of the Boston branch of the NAACP, current member of City’s Black Men & Boys Commission Denilson Fanfan, 12th grader at Jeremiah E. Burke High School L’Merchie Frazier, Public historian, visual activist, and Executive Director of Creative and Strategic Partnerships for SPOKE Arts George “Chip” Greenidge, Jr., Founder and Director of Greatest MINDS Dorothea Jones, Longtime civic organizer and member of the Roxbury Strategic Master Plan Oversight Committee Carrie Mays, UMass Boston student and youth leader with Teen Empowerment  Na’tisha Mills, Program Manager for Embrace Boston  Damani Williams, 12th grader at Jeremiah E. Burke High School For more information about the City’s ongoing work regarding reparations, please visit boston.gov/reparations.

紐英崙元極舞協會慶新年 感謝譚美月、譚錦素長年支持

元極舞會員們和嘉賓合影。前排右起，馬偉輝、周美桃、伍鍾美貞，
黃國麟，伍輝民、雷國輝、黃周麗桃、翁宇才，余寶愛。(周菊子攝)

               (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 美東紐英崙元極舞協會1月20日在中華公所會議廳慶祝新年。儘管這日天寒地凍，氣溫在攝氏零度以下，三十多名會員、嘉賓都早早趕到，歡聚一堂，享用燒肉、美食，各色糕點，還抽獎，歡迎2名新會員，開心非常。

中華公所主席雷國輝(左一)和周美桃(中)、周麗桃(右二)恭喜姚敬清(左二)
等人抽中中華公所送出的世紀保溫瓶。(周菊子攝)

                               美東紐英崙元極舞協會棣屬於台北中華民國元極舞協會，創辦人周美桃，會長黃周麗桃兩姊妹和會員們，這天都穿上了紅衣白褲的會服，無論是張羅食物，擺放桌椅，遞茶送水的招呼出席者，或是活動結束後的收拾場地，展現著絕佳團隊精神。

              黃周麗桃說，這天是好事成雙，為2024元月一日新年，以及2月10日的農曆龍年新年一起慶祝。紐英崙中華公所主席雷國輝也說了一串吉祥話，祝福大家龍馬精神。

紐英崙養生舞協會創辦人周美桃(左二)、譚美月(右二)恭喜梁麗嫦、
黃慧嬋2名新會員加入。代表台灣原極舞總會送出歡迎禮品。(周菊子攝)

              這天紐英崙元極舞協會準備了許多抽獎品，有巧克力，花生糖，香菇，綠茶，人蔘糖，葡萄乾，棗夾桃，牛肉乾等等，中華公所也送出了好幾個百年紀念保暖杯。

周美桃展示元極舞台灣總會在會員生日時送出的生日卡。(周菊子攝)

              周美桃修練元極舞已有20多年，這天她在抽獎環節中特地歡迎梁麗嫦，黃慧嬋2名新會員，感謝從當年創會就和她一路相隨，如今都已年過七十，卻都身體強健的譚美月，譚錦素。周美桃透露，當年經由黃香華、譚美月牽線，情商天主教聖占士教堂 (St. James) 的婦女部，撥出地方，讓他們有地方聚會、練功，這才漸漸茁壯。她們3人也因此成為好朋友，彼此扶持的一起為社區服務。

              過去這3年，由於新冠病毒疫情，會員會務都有不少變動，期間因為中華公所翻修，借用黃氏婦女部場地練功，現在則已恢復，回到中華公所三樓，每週六聚會，練功。

紐英崙中華公所主席雷國輝指出，姚敬清和夫婿經營的
長興豆腐總是非常支持社區活動。(周菊子攝)

              周美桃指出，元極舞其實源於中國元朝，是由元世祖忽必烈敕封為國粹的「太一道」，當年只有貴族才能學習，近年在揉合武術氣功、音樂舞蹈、經絡醫學後，成為一種特殊的健身運動，經台灣創會會長林榮昭老師於1995年，從湖北蓮花山，把元極舞功法帶到台灣後，才開枝散葉，還擴展進美國各地。

                  紐英崙中華公所主席雷國輝、中文書記翁宇才、財政余寶愛，伍胥山公所美東副總長伍輝民、鍾美貞夫婦這天都應邀出席，共襄盛舉。

(僑務電子報:   https://ocacnews.net/article/360269)

周美桃(中)送出小禮物，感謝譚美月(右)、譚錦素(左)
2人從創會起，相依相隨。(周菊子攝)

紐英崙養生舞協會會員合影。(周菊子攝)

波士頓華埠獅子會年度籌款會 33K主席讚馳援跑第一

 

波士頓國際獅子會會員合影。(周菊子攝)

      (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 棣屬於麻州第33K區的波士頓華埠獅子會，1月20日晚，冒著嚴寒，在新月宮席開12桌，舉辦一年一度的慈善籌款晚會，歡聲笑語的為新年拉開序幕。

                              開幕式由伍國光、陳國航主持，在蔡倩婷唱「美國第一首詩」，阮鴻燦帶領宣誓，伍國光帶領召喚，余麗媖帶領「不在你上，不再你下，與你同行」的祝禱後，由波士頓華埠獅子會會長周麗玲，第33K區地區會長Ivetta Mesmar致詞。

波士頓國際獅子會會長周麗玲(右)歡迎余麗媖介紹入會的周柏堅。(周菊子攝)

                        波士頓華埠獅子會會長周麗玲以中英文各說一次地的致詞。她簡述國際獅子會緣起於1917年，由Melvin Jones在芝加哥創辦，她自己11年前加入，希望能夠貢獻己力，為社區，大眾服務。她感謝所有獅友一直以來的堅持不懈，有如一個大家庭般的攜手服務，幫助有需要的人，讓世界變得更美好。

波士頓國際獅子會會長周麗玲加入獅子會已11年。(周菊子攝)

                            波士頓華埠獅子會則是在1987年時，由當年經營月宮餐廳的司徒彥鏗所創辦。

                                  第33K區域會長Ivetta Mesmar 指出，波士頓華埠獅子會成立已35年左右，一直是華人社區中的一個重要服務機構，無論是儲備發放食物 (food pantry)，照顧耆英，提供流動驗眼車，還是為國際獅子會基金會籌款，做了許多事。11

國際獅子會麻州第33K區域會長Ivetta Mesmar有華裔血統。(周菊子攝)

年前，她第一次來參加波士頓參加獅子會，那時許多人還不知道，其實她也有華裔血統。母親是半個華人，外祖父是華人。他們在華埠受到大家熱烈歡迎，感覺非常美好，留下許多至今懷念的記憶。她和余麗媖、雷國輝、李源沛等許多人也成了好朋友。來到華埠獅子會有回家的感覺。她還特地感謝波士頓華埠獅子會在國際獅子會發起支援辛巴威 (Zimbabwe)活動時，第一個響應。

余麗媖帶領祝禱，唸出「不在你上，不再你下，與你同行」的祝禱。(周菊子攝)

                                獅子會的年度籌款晚會，既為籌款辦服務，更為聯繫獅友情誼。根據國際獅子會大使李源沛在會上朗讀的嘉賓介紹，今年有分別來自波士頓、劍橋市、Franklin，大Ashland，Holliston，摩頓市 (Malden)，Marlboro， Stowe，Waltham， 衛斯理 (Wellesley)，Waymouth等不下11個不同地區分會的獅友，彰顯了國際獅子會扶持同行的精神。

                                晚會最後在出席嘉賓唱卡拉OK，享用美食，暢快交流中結束。會長周麗玲透露，當天還歡迎了一名新會員周柏堅。

                            波士頓華埠國際獅子會的2024年度職員為，會長周麗玲、第一副會長陳國航、第二副會長趙娟、第三副會長梅艷玲、秘書伍國光、財政丁慧明、核數余麗媖、會員主席林淑明、公關陳國航、總管雷國輝、聯誼李典儒。

(僑務電子報:      https://ocacnews.net/article/360473)

波士頓華埠獅子會的年度籌款會由伍國光、陳志航主持。(周菊子攝)

蔡倩婷(前右)和丁慧明(前左)等人這晚負責接待到會賓客。(周菊子攝)

余麗媖和麻州第33K區第二區域副會長Anthony Baliola已許久不見，
這天歡喜相遇。(周菊子攝)

波士頓華埠獅子會會員各自圍桌而聚。(周菊子攝)

麥若蘭和馮定邦即席演唱。(周菊子攝)

阮鴻燦扮財神，發糖果給嘉賓。(波士頓華埠獅子會提供)

波士頓華埠獅子會2024籌款會現場。(周菊子攝)

Governor Healey, Secretary Santiago Issue Statement on Passing of Navy SEAL Christopher Chambers

 Governor Healey, Secretary Santiago Issue Statement on Passing of Navy SEAL Christopher Chambers 

 

BOSTON – Governor Maura T. Healey and Secretary of Veterans Services Jon Santiago today issued statements on the passing of Navy Special Warfare Operator 1^st Class Christopher J. Chambers, a Westfield, Massachusetts native, who died trying to rescue a teammate in the Arabian Sea. 

 

“My deepest sympathies go out to the family, friends and shipmates of Special Operator Chris Chambers, who lost his life while selflessly trying to save his teammate off the coast of East Africa,” said Governor Healey. “In his heroic life and tragic passing, we recognize the ultimate example of the sacrifice that every servicemember and veteran has offered on behalf of our country. We are more determined than ever to honor that sacrifice in our actions as well as our words. I’m keeping the Westfield community and all who knew Chris in my thoughts as Massachusetts mourns another tragic loss, and my heart goes out to all of our heroes who serve and our military families.” 

 

"In the face of an unthinkable tragedy, our Massachusetts veteran community comes together to mourn the passing of Navy Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Christopher J. Chambers,” said Secretary Jon Santiago. “My heartfelt sympathies go out to his family, friends, and fellow sailors who are grappling with this tragic loss. To all who knew Chris, we can't begin to understand the unimaginable pain you are facing, but we're committed to honoring his legacy." 

Healey-Driscoll Administration Launches Inaugural Funding for Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund

Healey-Driscoll Administration Launches Inaugural Funding for Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund    New grant program makes funding available for entrepreneurs and communities disproportionately harmed by marijuana regulations

BOSTON – Today, the Executive Office of Economic Development (EOED) launched the “Immediate Needs Grant Program,” the inaugural program that will provide financial assistance from the state’s Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund. The first of its kind in Massachusetts, this new grant program will make financial assistance available for cannabis entrepreneurs from communities that have been disproportionately harmed by marijuana prohibition and enforcement. The program aims to increase equity and opportunity within state’s regulated marijuana industry. This funding round will make $2.3 million available to support qualified cannabis business license holders with urgent financial needs. It will be the first of several programs, which will launch as additional resources become available in the Trust Fund.  “The Cannabis Social Equity Fund was created to ensure that communities that have been disproportionately harmed by marijuana regulations have an equal opportunity to engage in this new industry,” said Governor Maura Healey. “The programs enabled by this fund highlights our commitment to supporting Social Equity businesses and will help strengthen the industry and our economy.”  “The Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund marks a groundbreaking milestone with the launch of this Immediate Needs Grant Program, in partnership with the Legislature,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “This initiative is an impactful investment that will empower our businesses and entrepreneurs, enabling them to thrive and contribute to the vibrant tapestry of our local cannabis economy.”  “Through the Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund, we’re rethinking access and opportunity within the marijuana industry,” said Secretary of Economic Development Yvonne Hao. “This funding will establish a robust precedent for streamlining fair access to this industry.”   The Legislature enacted the enabling law for this program in August 2022. As part of the FY23 closeout supplemental budget enacted in November 2023, the Healey-Driscoll Administration partnered with the Legislature to resolve technical issues affecting the funding mechanism.   EOED is charged with administering the Fund, in consultation with the Cannabis Social Equity Advisory Board. The Cannabis Social Equity Advisory Board met five times in 2023 to help inform trust fund regulations and program development.  “For the past year, I've had the honor of working alongside my fellow board members to educate, advise and discuss the important, strategic, and beneficial topics and areas that we believed should be captured in regulating the fund and application process,” said Cannabis Social Equity Advisory Board Chair Keisha Brice. “The Social Equity Trust Fund will play a crucial role in upholding the Commonwealth of Massachusetts promise to support people and communities that have been disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs. In partnership with the EOED I believe what we have drafted is a reflection of a fair process that is equitable, commits to our fiduciary responsibilities and still allows room for growth as the industry evolves and we learn from this initial process. I look forward to our ongoing commitment to making an impact on what social equity in cannabis looks like in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and I encourage everyone to continue advocating for change as there's more work to be done.”  “As Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy, I recognize the importance of reframing the narrative around cannabis policy in the Commonwealth,” said Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy Co-Chair Adam Gomez (D-Springfield). “Despite being a fairly new industry, the upsides of the cannabis market are evidenced by the state's tax revenue and the thousands of families who have a newfound hope after choosing cannabidiol as an alternative. Now our focus must be on acknowledging the lack of representation in the marijuana industry by the very people who were disproportionately harmed by marijuana prohibition and enforcement. The launch of the inaugural round of the Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund is encouraging news as the fund will seek to right many wrongs.”  “Social equity and economic empowerment entrepreneurs in the cannabis industry have faced unique hurdles in accessing capital. They spoke and the Legislature listened. I want to thank Speaker Mariano for his leadership ensuring An Act Relative to Equity in the Cannabis Industry, the legislation that established the Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund, was a priority of the House last session,” said Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy Co-Chair Dan Donahue (D-Worcester). “I am thrilled to see the inaugural round of funding is opening, beginning the process of reinvesting cannabis revenue to support equitable growth within the industry. My thanks to the Legislature, EOED, the Trust Fund Advisory Board, and all of the stakeholders who have provided their time and effort in making this vision a reality.”  About the Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund  The Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund was established by MGL Chapter 94G: Section 14A to encourage the full participation in the state’s regulated marijuana industry of entrepreneurs from communities that have been disproportionately harmed by marijuana prohibition and enforcement.  The Immediate Needs Grant Program will distribute grants from the Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund to Massachusetts social equity entrepreneurs and businesses. EOED plans to launch additional programs later in 2024 to further support social equity in the cannabis industry.   Visit mass.gov for more information.