To the Editor:
I am a father, husband, son, and the oldest of ten brothers and sisters who held the responsibility of selling newspapers at 13 to help my only working parent. I am a Roxbury resident, an African immigrant Black man who has lived under the weight of being poor, underserved, misjudged, and counted out.
I know what it means to fight for belonging — to prove your worth twice over, not just because you’re Black but because you weren’t born here. Let me be clear: being an immigrant does not make me or anyone less Black, less qualified, or less committed to this community.
But most importantly, I am your neighbor! I have spent more than three decades in District 7 — raising children, burying friends, surviving and serving here. My roots are planted in this community just as profoundly as anyone’s.
I have stood up for Black causes, supported Black leaders, advocated for women, and fought to build a better life for all of us. I’ve lost friends to gun violence, substance abuse, and the criminal justice system. I walked alongside grieving mothers. I’ve worked every day to break cycles of harm and create opportunity — not from the outside, but from within.
We have to address systemic barriers to build affordable housing; properly fund and staff Boston’s public schools and provide the social support to end the school to prison pipeline; highlight and support our small businesses in Roxbury, South End, Fenway, and Dorchester. Bring real access to mental health services for all. Make sure city services like 311, fixing potholes, and functioning city infrastructure are timely and efficiently operating in District 7.
In talking to many of you, I’ve heard your disappointment in how we’ve been led. A promise of big change only to be forgotten and underserved. You have reason to be doubtful given our open seat. However, I can tell you that I’ve had success in getting things done for us.
I worked with the city to free up parcels to build new housing. I led local leaders to free up $643,000 in federal funding for small business support. With local non-profits, I advocated for summer programs to ensure education equity and help students improve their skills. Now over 18,000 students have access to summer jobs programs.
We cannot let the tools of oppression — division, doubt, and xenophobia — take root among us. Whether Black, Latino, Asian, White, or immigrant, we are one community. And the only way we move District 7 forward is together, with love, equity, and shared power at the center. It would be an honor to serve you and bring our collective and independent voices to City Hall.
The Reporter will be publishing additional letters from municipal candidates in the coming weeks.
