February 12, 2013

February is an interesting time of year… the New Year is in full swing, resolutions are still being kept, and winter is showing its bold face to New England. I hope everyone endured the storm, and won’t hesitate to call my office at 617-635-4217 if you or someone you know needs help.

I celebrated my 39th birthday on February 3rd, thanks to many of you and your thoughtful well wishes, it was a memorable birthday. I’d like to think I am getting older and wiser, better equipped to take on the complex challenges that face us.

As we celebrate Black History Month, I derive great inspiration and instruction from the lives lived, struggles overcome, and movements led by so many Black heroes and sheroes.

Black history is American history, that is unquestionable, and it should be acknowledged and celebrated year round in our classrooms and living rooms. That being said, I do appreciate the impetus the month of February affords us to hyper focus on the many contributions of Black Americans, as well as the influence of Africa on Black intellect and traditions.

This month to reflect and highlight the contributions of Black heroes and sheroes, serves to inform and inspire us all, as well as to foster and affirm ethnic pride.

Thank you for subscribing to Pressley Post, I hope you enjoy this edition, will share it with others, and encourage them to subscribe too.

All the best,

Hearing on Teacher Diversity February 14th

Our students are becoming increasingly more diverse, but the demographic makeup of Boston Public School (BPS) teachers is not following that trend. Research shows that a racially and gender diverse teaching workforce can play a role in reducing the achievement gap. This Thursday, I will hold a hearing to discuss the efforts of BPS and the Boston Teachers Union to increase the racial and ethnic diversity of its teachers, as well as its efforts to increase the representation of male teachers and male teachers of color.

Thursday, February 14th
3:30 Pm – 5:00 PM
Boston City Council, 5th floor, Iannella Chamber

For more information, or to sign-up to testify, please contact Jackney at 617-635-4217 or email [email protected]

Black History Month Story Hours Starting February 16th

Join me for these educational, family-friendly story hours celebrating Black history-makers. For more information contact James at 617-635-4217 or [email protected].

I will also be reading at additional libraries in March in honor of Women’s History Month so stay tuned if I don’t make it to your neighborhood library this month.

Grove Hall
41 Geneva Avenue, Dorchester, MA 02121
February 16th ~ 11:00 AM

Brighton
40 Academy Hill Road, Brighton, MA 02135
Saturday, February 19th ~ 11:00 AM

Lower Mills
27 Richmond Street, Dorchester, MA 02124
Wednesday, February 20th ~ 10:30 AM

Dudley
65 Warren Street, Roxbury, MA 02119
Thursday, February 21st ~ 1:00 PM

Charlestown
179 Main Street, Charlestown, MA 02129
Thursday, February 21st ~ 3:30 PM

Roslindale
4246 Washington St., Roslindale, MA 02131
Monday, February 25th ~ 10:30 AM

West Roxbury
1961 Centre Street, West Roxbury, MA 02132
Wednesday, February 27th ~ 4:00 PM

City Council Black History Month Celebration

The Boston City Council will host its Annual Black History Month celebration, that I am co-sponsoring with City Councilors Charles Yancey and Tito Jackson, as well as the Blacks in Government (BIG) local chapter.

February 28, 2013
12:00-1:30 pm
Boston City Council, 5th floor, Iannella Chamber

This year’s celebration will be centered around the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation and will feature a keynote from Dr. Peniel Joseph, Professor of History at Tufts University and author of “Waiting til the Midnight Hour: A Narrative History of Black Power in America (2008).”  Light refreshments will be provided.

For more information, or to RSVP, please contact Hodari at 617-635-4217 or email [email protected]

Ayanna On the Record

Targeting the ‘Johns’
Boston Globe, 2/11/13

HBGC Cultivates the Next Generation of LGBT Leaders
The Edge Boston, 2/9/2013

Don’t Bottle up Liquor Licenses: State cap Holds Back City Neighborhoods
CommonWealth Magazine, Ayanna Pressley Op-Ed, 1/29/13

Feed the Meter, Help the Homeless: A Proposal to Repurpose Old Parking Meters
BostInno, 1/28/13

Rape Survivors, Allies Gather for Day of Empowerment 
Boston Globe, 1/20/13

“Day of Empowerment” for Women and Girls
Boston Neighborhood Network News with Chris Lovett, 1/17/13

Family Resources

City of Boston Snow Resources
You can call the Mayor’s 24 hour hotline at 617-635-4500 or visit here.

Black History Month Activities
I recommend families come to City Hall (5th floor) to see the Allan Rohan Crite
art exhibit or visit the Museum of African American History. You can find other ideas here.

Free Tax Prep Services
The Mayor’s Boston Earned Income Tax Coalition provides free tax preparation and other services for those who worked in 2012 and earned less than $50,000. Call 617-918-5275 or visit their website here.

Youth Summer Jobs 2013
Registration for summer jobs is open and will end on March 3 at 11:59pm.

All applicants must be full time residents of Boston and be between the ages of 15 and 17 years old. You must turn 15 on or before July 7, 2013 and cannot turn 18 on or before August 16, 2013.

Applying with the HOPELINE does NOT guarantee a summer job. Please call the Youth Fund with any questions, 617-635-4202. For more information and to see a list of sites that offered HOPELINE jobs last summer, click here.