New Bedford's Whaling Museum is hosting a Black Empowerment Advisory Committee session
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
NEW BEDFORD — The New Bedford Whaling Museum is set to host Gov. Maura Healey's Black Empowerment Advisory Committee (BEAC) listening session on Oct 24.
Made up of more than 30 Black leaders from across the state, the Governor’s Advisory Council on Black Empowerment works closely with Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll to support Massachusetts' Black community, reduce inequities, and expand opportunity, according to the advisory's official website.
From 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m, the council is inviting community input related to delivering new programs and systems to make Massachusetts more equitable including education, health care, housing and workforce development.
“We are honored to host this important community conversation at the New Bedford Whaling Museum. Through Governor Healey’s Advisory Council on Black Empowerment, the governor has prioritized a series of listening sessions throughout Massachusetts to ensure her administration hears critical concerns and challenges affecting the Black community," said Amanda McMullen, President and CEO of the New Bedford Whaling Museum.
"Feedback will help shape solutions and advance the interests of the Black community in Massachusetts. This is the only session that will take place on the SouthCoast and we hope to see a large turnout at the museum so our community is heard.”
More: New Bedford siblings go viral on TikTok. Here's how to check out the dynamically funny duo.
New Bedford is being represented by Marcelina Pina-Christian, Executive Director of the Human Relations Commission and the creative sector is being represented by Michael J. Bobbitt, Executive Director of Mass Cultural Council.
Anyone from the community can also attend by RSVP-ing on the official BEAC website.
More about the Black Empowerment Advisory Committee
On Feb. 27, 2023, Healey signed Executive Order No. 606 establishing the Governor’s Advisory Council on Black Empowerment and appointed more than 30 Black leaders from across the state to serve on it.
The council advises Healey and Driscoll on issues related to the economic prosperity and wellbeing of Massachusetts’ Black community, including education, health care, housing and workforce development.
“Massachusetts’ Black residents make tremendous contributions to our state, but far too often they face systemic barriers that hold them back from opportunity. Our administration is committed to bringing people together and centering equity in all that we do, and that requires ensuring that those who are most impacted by our policy have a seat at the decision-making table,” said Healey in a press release.
"We look forward to working closely with our Advisory Council on Black Empowerment to explore how we can best support our Black community, reduce inequities and expand opportunity for all.”
A full list of board members can be found on the official website.
Standard-Times staff writer Seth Chitwood can be reached at schitwood@s-t.com. Follow him on Twitter: @ChitwoodReports. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Standard-Times today.
This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Whaling Museum, Black Empowerment Advisory Committee listening session
