The Black Men and Boys Commission in Boston has put forth a substantial budget proposal, with a sweeping vision to address equity across multiple areas affecting Black men and boys throughout the city. The comprehensive budget, amounting to $9.1 million, aims to cover five critical themes: economic opportunity, affordable housing, health and wellness, education, and community safety.
According to a report by the City of Boston's official website, the budget recommendations are the result of work done by the six subcommittees of the Commission. Through collaborations with community members, Mayor's Cabinet officials, and other stakeholders, they crafted strategic initiatives targeting sectors from the Office of Housing to Boston Public Schools.
Chair of the Black Men and Boys Commission, Tito Jackson, emphasized the thorough dialogue underpinning the proposals. “Our budget recommendations are informed and guided by meetings with the community, members of the Mayor's Cabinet, and specific stakeholders in this work. In collaboration with the Office of BMA, we look forward to seeing the budget priorities we have highlighted fully supported and integrated into this year's City of Boston Budget.” Jackson told the City of Boston's official website.
Specific budget highlights include an effort to inspire economic mobility through technical assistance for Black entrepreneurs within the Office of Economic Opportunity & Inclusion and a push for investment in real estate for Black professionals through a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a fund to provide pre-development capital for Black developers. There was targeting technical assistance for Black entrepreneurs, proposed to remove the roadblocks they routinely encounter.
Wellness recommendations proposed by the Commission are equally robust, with plans to scale up health equity education, the Father Friendly Initiative advancement, and enhanced resources for substance abuse and mental health support specifically catered to the needs of Black men and boys. Frank Farrow, Executive Director of the Office of Black Male Advancement, lauded the Commission.“We commend the Black Men and Boys Commission for their diligent efforts, as advisors to our Office, in crafting these budget proposals,” Farrow told the City of Boston's official website.
Since its establishment by a 2021 ordinance, the 21-member Commission, comprised of Black males knowledgeable on issues relevant to Black men and boys in Boston, has advised the Mayor's Office of Black Male Advancement.
