The Roxbury Branch of the Boston Public Library will be renamed in honor of Sarah-Ann Shaw, Boston’s first Black female television reporter. Mayor Michelle Wu and the Boston Public Library announced the change, which was unanimously approved by the Library's Board of Trustees. Shaw, who passed away in 2024 at age 90, was recognized for her long-standing involvement with the Roxbury community, as per the City of Boston.
Shaw’s daughter, Klare Shaw, noted her mother’s strong connection to the library and her work in promoting literacy, Black history, and culture in Roxbury. Sarah-Ann Shaw worked at WBZ-TV from 1969 until her retirement in 2000. The renamed branch is intended to reflect Shaw’s commitment to education and community engagement.
Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley acknowledged Shaw’s role in highlighting the experiences of Boston’s Black and brown communities and supporting local grassroots movements. The renaming is currently pending final approval by the Boston Public Facilities Commission, which is expected to vote on Wednesday next week.
Boston Public Library President David Leonard described the renaming as a recognition of Shaw’s efforts in journalism and advocacy for public libraries. Other community figures, such as civil rights activist Mamie Jones and Francine Gelzer, the first Black librarian at the branch, were also acknowledged for their roles in supporting the Roxbury Branch.
Community members, including resident Alma Wright, recalled Shaw’s volunteer work at the library and in local schools, where she encouraged library use among students. The Roxbury Branch, located in Nubian Square, opened in 1978 and is the largest branch of the Boston Public Library.
