racial equity

The process for approving new housing development in communities across Massachusetts is “skewed toward an older, white population with the greatest interest in obstructing new development,” according to a new report assembled by two Boston University researchers and released Wednesday by The Boston Foundation. Katherine Levine Einstein and Maxwell Palmer compared the demographics of public officials in more than 20…

Heart disease hits Black people at a higher rate than almost any other group in America, but it’s a problem that doesn’t need to exist, and a local group is working to change the statistics. For Kyree Miller, the fight to help communities of color improve their heart health is very personal. He knows what it feels like to...

The Biden administration has released hundreds of strategies it’s taking or will take to boost equity across the federal government

Massachusetts is closing the racial gap in COVID-19 vaccination rates by some metrics, but there is still more work to be done, Boston doctors say. The Bay State had some success with vaccination in part because coronavirus-related care was made more accessible during the pandemic by meeting people where they’re at. But major disparities continue to have a devastating...

As mayor of New Orleans, Mitch Landrieu oversaw billions of dollars in infrastructure repairs and improvements when he took over a lagging recovery from Hurricane Katrina in 2010.

Makeeba McCreary, the first president of the New Commonwealth Fund for Racial Equity and Social Justice talks about the mission, the work and the effort to support folks who are already doing the right thing. Plus: one suggestion for the next mayor of Boston.

A brand new committee tasked with vetting bills related to racial equity, civil rights and inclusion plans to hold its first hearing at the start of the week to solicit input on its priorities for the five-month-old 2021-2022 Massachusetts legislative session. “The committee will hear from members of impacted communities and racial justice leaders on the bills and issue areas…

Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce CEO Jim Rooney talks about reopening, racial equity and the climate change bill.

Boston Mayor Kim Janey on Wednesday vowed to increase COVID-19 testing and vaccinations and close racial equity gaps as she was sworn in as the first Black person and first woman to lead the city. In a ceremony at City Hall, Janey struck an optimistic tone, acknowledging the historic nature of her ascension but also the work needed to recover…

These eight community leaders feel there is still work to be done to create racial equality and equity for Black Americans. They are working to create these changes across multiple sectors in Boston.

There are historical reasons why Black people distrust the health care system, but implicit bias in how Black patients are treated also plays a role. A Massachusetts school is doing something about it.

Kassandra Jean-Marie has always wanted to be a doctor, but she says the reason has changed. “I’m smiling because my answer to that question has changed so many times throughout my years,” she said. Jean-Marie’s mom is a nurse, and that inspired her. “She always came home and I could definitely see she was tired some nights, but she...

The overall coronavirus vaccination numbers in Massachusetts leave a lot to be desired, but viewed along racial lines, a major issue becomes clear. The latest report from the state shows white residents have gotten nearly 36% of the vaccinations. Just under 20% have gone to those who identify as multi-racial. Then, the numbers plummet: 3.3% for Hispanics, 2.8% for Asians…

Wellness should not be a luxury. For many, it’s a necessity to maintain mental, physical, and emotional health, but not everyone has access it. One local fitness studio has stepped in to change that and is pumping up patrons with messages of inclusivity too.

A newly established task force in Massachusetts is aimed at preventing and investigating civil rights violations.

Amid an “intensity of public concern” over civil rights issues, Massachusetts law enforcement agencies from the federal to the local level held the first meeting Friday of a newly announced task force, U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling said. The Civil Rights Task Force aims to foster collaboration between the agencies as they look for threats and to support police departments...

Mayor Marty Walsh called on Boston’s business community to help the city end systemic racism amid national unrest over inequality, pointing to the pandemic as a prime example. “It’s a lesson in systemic inequity and it’s taken intentional work, every day, to address it,” Walsh said Tuesday in virtual remarks to the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce. “But when...

Little Free Libraries, or book-sharing boxes, are a trend in over 100 countries, including the U.S. Some Bay State natives are on a mission to ensure that the books inside represent the global community we now live in.

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh on Thursday announced steps his administration will take to fight systemic racism and inequality amid nationwide protests calling for an end to systemic racism. In a press conference, Walsh announced the creation of a Equity and Inclusion Cabinet and unveiled a city-led fund to raise money to address racial inequity. He also announced plans to introduce…

Talking about race, racism, protests and riots is difficult between adults. Now, imagine being a child and trying to make sense of the race relations in the U.S. right now. Dr. Kira Banks and TODAY Show Co-Host Sheinelle Jones join Maria Sansone for a serious and important Mom2Mom.