In our society, there is often no space for marginalized people to tell their stories. Reclaiming Folk seeks to make space for musicians of color to tell their stories and tell the stories of our past, so that our future can be a more inclusive place for all. 

We are Reclaiming Folk because history has forgotten that people of color have always been at the root of American folk music. From field calls to blues to gospel, the origin of American folk music is connected to people of color.

This 90 minute program includes a 60 minute performance by three Massachusetts based folk artists of color—Naomi Westwater, Pamela Means, and Kim Moberg—singing songs in the round. Each musician will play original songs and one traditional folk song by a musician of color. Following the performance will be a 30 minute talk back—moderated by Boston Poet Laureate Porsha Olayiwola, who will also read a poem—where the musicians will talk about their songs and their experience as folk musicians. There will be time for audience Q&A.

WBUR and WERS are media partners for the Mayor's Office of Arts & Culture's 2024 event season. 

We will focus on picking up trash and improving growing conditions for beautiful wildflowers. There will be opportunities to learn more about Willowwood Rock and how we can work together to help this special place remain healthy for all.

No experience necessary! Urban Wilds staff will provide all necessary tools and instruction.

Rain date Saturday May 18, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Please register here.   

The event includes on-bike skill-building for children and adults, free bike checks, and a family-friendly bike ride. The event will take place at Franklin Park's Shattuck Picnic Grove. The rain date is Sunday, April 28, 2024.

Here is the plan for the day:

10 a.m. - 12 p.m. | On-bike educational programs for adults and for children and bike tune-up station 

We are hosting a Learn-to-Ride workshop for adults and on-bike activities for children (ages 5-12). Registration required. Parallel to the educational programs, Bikes Not Bombs, a local non-profit, will host a bike tune-up station.

12 - 1 p.m. | Family-friendly Bike Ride 

Join us for a 3.5-mile family-friendly bike ride around Franklin Park!  Limited number of bicycles are available. You must register for the ride, and request a free bike rental. Leading up to the ride, stop by our bike decoration station or get your bike checked so you’re ready for a great ride! Anyone joining the ride should check in by 12:20 p.m.

1 p.m. | Lunch by Maggie's Grill

Free lunch provided to participants who register and attend any part of the day’s events. Registration will be limited to 100 participants.

The rain date for the event is Sunday, April 28, 2024.

Please note that the registration is now closed. You are still welcome to join the event, we just can not guarantee bike rentals, spaces in workshops, or lunch to those who did not register.

Established in 2022, our mission at the Office of Historic Preservation is to safeguard Boston's rich cultural heritage while amplifying the voices of underrepresented Bostonians. Housed within the Environment, Energy, and Open Space Cabinet, our department includes the Boston Landmarks Commission, the City Archaeology Program, and the Commemoration Commission.

Over the next several months the Office of Historic Preservation will continue it's outreach efforts to various neighborhood groups. The presentations aim is to advocate for a new framework showcasing how historic preservation can address some of Boston's pressing challenges in environmental sustainability, social equity, and affordable housing.

Review Slide Deck

Notice of accommodationS

English - Interpretation and translation services are available to you at no cost. fI you need them, please contact us at blc@boston.gov or 617-635-1935, as soon as possible.

Spanish - Espanol - Hay servicios de interpretación, traducción y adaptaciones para discapacidades a su disposición sin costo alguno. Si los necesita, por favor póngase en contacto con nosotros mandando un correo electrónico a (blc@boston.govv), LCA@boston.gov o llamando a (617-635-1935), hasta esta fecha: (Date: 5-1-24).

Haitian Creole -Kreyòl ayisyen: Sèvis entèpretasyon, tradiksyon, ak sèvis akomodasyon pou andikape disponib pou ou gratis. Si w bezwen sèvis sa yo, tanpri kontakte nou nan (blc@boston.gov) LCA@boston.gov oswa (617-635-1935), ant: (Date: 5-1-24)

Traditional Chinese - 繁體中文: 我 們 可 以 為 您 提 供 免 費 的 又 譯，筆譯，和殘疾人士合理照顧服務。 如 有 需 要， 請 在 (Date: 5-1-24 )X X 月 Y Y 日，前 與 我 們 連 絡，發電子郵件至 (bl c@boston.gov) L C A @ b o s t o n . g o v 或 致 電 (6 1 7 - 6 3 5 - 1935)

Vietnamese - Tiếng Việt: Các dịch vụ thông dịch, dịch thuật và hỗ trợ người khuyết tật được cung cấp miễn phí cho bạn. Nếu bạn cần họ, vui lòng liên lạc với chúng tôi theo địa chỉ (blc@boston.gov) LCA@boston.gov hoặc (617-635-1935) trước ngày: (Date: 5-1-24)

Simplified Chinese- 简体中文: 我们可以为您提供免费的又译，笔译，和残疾人士合理照顾服务。如有需要，请在 (5-1- 2 4 )X X 月 Y Y 日 前 与 我 们 联 系 ，发 电 子 邮 件 至 (blc@boston.gov ) LCA@bosto n.gov 或 致 电 (6 1 7 - 6 3 5 - 1 9 3 5 )

Cabo Verdean Creole - kriolu: Nu ta oferese-bu sirvisus di interpretason, traduson y sirvisus di komodason pa gentis ku difisénsia di grasa. Si bu meste kes sirvisu la, kontata-nu pa email (blc@boston.gov) LCA@boston.gov ó pa telefóni, pa númeru (617-635-1935). Na es data: (Date: 5-1-24)

Russian -Русский: Услуги устного и письменного перевода и по приспособлению инвалидов предоставляются бесплатно. Если Вам они нужны, просьба связаться с нами по адресу электронной почты (blc@boston.gov) LCA@boston.gov либо по телефону (617-635-1935) до (Date: 5-1-24)

Portuguese - Português: Disponibilizamos serviços de tradução e interpretação e adaptações especiais para pessoas com deficiências gratuitamente. Para solicitar, envie e-mail para (blc@boston.govv), LCA@boston.gov ou ligue para (617-635-1935) até o dia (Date: 5-1-24)

French - Français: Les services d'interprétation, de traduction et d'adaptation aux personnes handicapées sont à votre disposition gratuitement. Si vous en avez besoin, veuillez nous contacter à (blc@boston.gov), LCA@boston.gov ou au (617-635-1935), d'ici au:(Date: 5-1-24)

Somali - Af Soomaali: Adeegyada tarjumaadda luuqadaha iyo hoyga naafada ayaa diyaar kuu ah adiga oo aan wax kharash ah ka bixin. Haddii aad u baahatid iyaga, fadlan nagala soo xiriir (blc@boston.gov) , LCA@boston.gov ama (617-635-1935) markay taariikhdu tahay: (Date: 5-1-24)

We will work together to remove trash and debris from the Urban Wild, making our hiking trails and rock climbing area safer for all users. Please make sure to bring sturdy, close-toed shoes and clothes you wouldn't mind getting dirty.

Rain date Sunday May 5th at the same time. 

No experience necessary. Urban Wilds staff will provide tools and instruction.

Please register for the event