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Remembering Franklin Thomas: LISC Founder
In honor of Black History Month, we are reflecting on the extraordinary and deeply influential life of Franklin Thomas, founding leader of Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corp—the country’s first CDC—the first Black man to head the Ford Foundation, and the original architect of LISC. His dedication to helping revitalize neighborhoods by putting people and communities front and center shaped our field and the places we call home today. [+]
Over 40 years later, we remember Thomas's legacy and his impact on communities across the country as we share with you updates, grants, and stories of leadership in our present and future.
Black & Latino Legislators, Advocates Target the Racial
Homeownership Gap
Every Legislator to Receive The Color of Law
The Black and Latino Legislative Caucus with housing advocacy group sent a gift to every legislator in Massachusetts this week. It wasn’t a valentine. It was a copy of the book The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America by Richard Rothstein. The goal: draw their attention to the deep racial homeownership gap in Massachusetts. Homeownership has been out of reach for so many in the Commonwealth, especially families of color, through exclusionary policies and practices, resulting in a nearly 70% homeownership rate in Massachusetts for white households, and just 35% for households of color.
The moment to act to bridge this gap is now. We’re joining the sponsoring organizations, reading along, and we invite you to join us! [+]
Call to Action: Equitable Building Zero Carbon Renovation Fund
The Massachusetts state government is reviewing proposals for allocation over $2+ billion of funding under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). These funds present a tremendous opportunity for the Commonwealth to mitigate some of the effects of the pandemic while advancing critical needs across many sectors.
Join us in asking the State Legislature to allocate $250 Million of ARPA funds to create the Zero Carbon Renovation Fund that will decarbonize existing buildings in Massachusetts. This fund would result in deep carbon savings by transforming existing buildings to be super energy efficient, all electric, powered by clean renewable energy, and renovated with low-embodied carbon materials. The Zero Carbon Renovation Fund would help ensure that the Commonwealth has healthier and more affordable places for people to live and work.
Learn more and sign on [+]
STAR Launches with 48 Affordable Housing Solar Installations, Program Expands with Additional 15 Housers
The Solar Technical Assistance Retrofit (STAR) Program team is pleased to report the signing of solar commitments across 48 rooftops operated by affordable housing providers in Phase 1, totaling over 1.2 megawatts (MW) and to announce Phase 2.
STAR connects multifamily affordable housing developers in Massachusetts to the resources and technical assistance needed to explore the benefits of solar technology, with the aim of helping affordable housing become more financially and environmentally sustainable.
"Without the expert assistance and flexible financing options through the STAR program, a shift of this magnitude would have been extremely difficult for us. The STAR program provided the perfect opportunity for us to transition more than a dozen buildings in our portfolio to using and producing sustainable energy” - Rafael Mares, Executive Director of The Neighborhood Developers (TND).
Read more about STAR and our new participants here [+]
LISC, Patriots & NFL Huddle Up to Award 12th Field Grant to Brooke Charter School in Mattapan
Brooke Charter Schools was selected to receive a $250,000 grant to install a new artificial turf field at their campus in Mattapan. The grant from LISC, made possible through the support of the New England Patriots and the NFL Foundation is part of $6 million in field refurbishment awards around the country allocated this year. [+]
LISC's NFL Foundation Grassroots Program has funded 11 other community fields in Massachusetts since the program's start, totaling just over $1.7 million in grants. They include recent field improvements at Madison Park Technical Vocational High School and the John D. O'Bryant School of Mathematics and Science in Roxbury and improvements underway at Duggan Field in Springfield.
The program is now accepting applications from community partners. Deadline: May 31, 2022. Read the RFP and program description [+]
LISC AmeriCorps Spotlight: Bridging the Digital Divide
We're honored to celebrate LISC AmeriCorps member Donna Saunders who piloted a tutoring and computer-loan program as part of her service year with Opportunity Communities (OppCo). Through the pilot she ensured students in OppCo. homes in Chelsea, Revere, Roxbury, and Dorchester had access to online learning supports during the pandemic.
Saunders took initiative to secure Chromebooks to loan to students left without the equipment needed to continue their tutoring once schools' computer lending programs closed for the summer. She is embarking on a second service year with OppCo. and plans to expand the tutoring service which currently serves grades 4 - 6 by recruiting more community volunteers.
- LISC partners are accepting applications for AmeriCorps members NOW. Learn more about the positions and share [+]
Boston’s Black Men & Boys Commission Seeks Members
The 21-member Black Men & Boys Commission is now accepting applications now and “will help advise the Mayor and the City of Boston on issues pertaining to Black men and boys.” Earlier this month, members of the Male Engagement Network (MEN) coalition were invited to attend Mayor Michelle Wu’s press conference announcing the leader of the Office of Black Male Advancement’s Executive Director, Frank Farrow. [+]
Through MEN@Home, the coalition is working on ways to advance housing access and opportunities for men of color in Dorchester, Roxbury, and Mattapan, including through advocacy for the creation of the commission.
Learn more about the commission, and share with candidates to apply. [+]
Bridges to College and Career Training Celebrates 52 Graduates
JVS Boston's Bridges graduates and teachers celebrate students' achievements and moves towards their career goals.
JVS Boston, a LISC Financial Opportunity Center (FOC) partner, recently celebrated the graduation of 52 participants from their Bridges program across education and training pathways in Business Technology, Biotechnology, General Studies, and English for Academic Success. The cohort of students represented 26 countries and almost all of the students are enrolled to start their classes at Bunker Hill Community College and Quincy College.[+]
LISC supports JVS with generous support from Citi Foundation, Citizens Charitable Foundation, and Wells Fargo. Learn more about our Bridges to Careers programs. [+]
Bridges to Culinary Program Begins in March
Calling all community partners, CDC resident services directors, and community members in Boston: the next Bridges to Culinary Training program begins in March. The Roxbury Center for Financial Empowerment will begin interviews in mid-February. Please spread the word and encourage people to apply today. Download the program description and requirements (PDF) [+]
For more, contact Sharon Tulchinsky, Sharon.Tulchinsky@boston.gov, 617-875-9659
Free Tax Help Available Now for Boston Residents
The Boston Tax Help Coalition is offering free tax services to help residents maximize their refund and get the credits available to them--even for those with no income. For locations, requirements, and more information, see the flyer and share with others (PDF) [+]
In Case You Missed It: Small Business Strong Session on Business Financials
Watch the video from Small Business Strong's January session for small businesses, Building a Strong Financial Foundation for 2022, on getting your business finances in order to access grant funds.
The MGCC Biz-M-Power Matching Grant for Small Businesses (Spanish Edition)
The following announcement is in Spanish.
Oportunidades de Financiación para Pequeñas Empresas en 2022
¿Tiene una pequeña empresa y está buscando formas de financiar su negocio? Usar crowdfunding para financiar su empresa es más fácil que nunca. ¡Aprenda cómo puede recibir hasta $40,000 en financiamiento!
Biz-M-Power ofrece hasta $20,000 a pequeñas empresas que recauden con éxito capital a través de la plataforma de crowdfunding Patronicity.com. Pueden recibir subvenciones de Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC) iguales al monto recaudado. Este evento el jueves 3 de marzo es copatrocinado por el Instituto Hispanoamericano y la Asociación de Negocios Latinos de North Shore. El evento será moderado por Marcela Aldaz de MCBI advisors. Regístrese hoy [+]
LISC is the Program Manager for Small Business Strong, a non-profit organization that provides expedited, pro-bono support for women and entrepreneurs of color navigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their businesses.
Coalition for an Equitable Economy to Co-Lead ARPA Equity Panel
The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) spending bill signed by Governor Charlie Baker in December created an equity and accountability review panel to oversee state expenditures of ARPA funds, with one of two co-chairs to be named by the Coalition for an Equitable Economy (CEE). CEE is the equitable small business coalition formed by LISC and its partners in 2021.
The Coalition has named steering committee member Nicole Obi, President and CEO of the Black Economic Council of Massachusetts (BECMA), to co-chair the panel along with Jose Delgado, Deputy Chief of Staff, Access and Opportunity at the Office of Governor Charlie Baker.
The Coalition is also currently seeking its first full-time Director to support its work of building an equitable and inclusive small business ecosystem in Massachusetts. Candidates interested in leading this dynamic group's work should apply no later than February 22nd. [+]
With LISC & Our Partners, Get Free Business Resources on Demand
Get access to expert advice and guidance – whenever you want. Sign Up today for Verizon Small Business Digital Ready to access coaching, community networking, and a marketplace of tools, products and services. Sessions include:
- A Guide to Selecting Legal Structure(s): Legalize It
- Creating Content That Matters: Compelling Content for Your Business
- Get Beyond Break Even: From Knowing Numbers to Making Money
- Defining Your Brand: Connecting to Customers
Learn more [+]
Verizon Small Business Digital Ready delivers online learning tools through a range of short courses, live coaching events, one-to-one coaching sessions, and a range of “Ask the Experts” events and grant opportunities to help support your business needs.
In Case You Missed It: Op-Ed Highlights Growing Leadership of Leaders of Color in Massachusetts
A recent op-ed by our Local Advisory Committee (LAC) member Betty Francisco (Boston Impact Initiative & Amplify Latinx) and Dr. Makeeba McCreary (New Commonwealth Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund) in the Boston Business Journal shows the growing influence of leaders of color in Massachusetts. [+]
Reasons they highlight for this timely change include population growth and changing demographics in cities across the Commonwealth and the concerted advocacy and investment in Asian, Black and Latino leaders and organizations. People of color are underrepresented at key decision-making tables, but their list of historic leadership appointments in critical industries and organizations – from Arts and Culture, Business, Criminal Justice, Non-profits and Philanthropy, Healthcare, and more – show why these leaders’ influence is more important now than ever. PDF [+]
The op-ed is also available in Spanish via El Planeta Media. [+]
You're Invited: SBA Black History Month Event, February 22nd
Join the U.S. Small Business Administration's (SBA) Massachusetts District Office for a Black History Month Celebration on Tuesday, February 22nd, at 10AM: Black Communities & Black Businesses Helping to Revive Our Economy.
Speakers Include:
- LMerchie Frazier, Museum of African American History (MAAH)
- Nicole Obi, Black Economic Council of Massachusetts (BECMA)
- Segun Idowu, Chief of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion, City of Boston
- Dr. J. Keith Motley, Consultant/President & CEO, The Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts
- Ruth Agbaji, CEO/Nerd-In-Chief, The Code Wiz
- Frank Poindexter, General Manager, Wally's Cafe Jazz Club
- Mike Vlacich, SBA New England Regional Administrator
- Honorable Senator Edward Markey
Register now [+]
