A few words on the Men of Color Task Force from chair, Mo Barbosa:

“The Men of Color Task Force welcomes you to our celebration of 20 years of serving the Cambridge community through leadership, action and voice. While our work is focused on issues that affect men of color in this community, we work with many partners and agencies, institutions and organizations whose focus is broader and different. It has been our role to raise the profile of the issues that affect men of color, to partner with those whose efforts directly affect this population and to build bridges of collaboration and trust with those whose efforts can and will in the future do so. And after 20 years, you see today the benefit of that work, a wide range of people, from many walks of life, in the various professions of their choosing, participating in and supporting the health, well being and futures of men of color in this community.

The Men of Color Task Force is a unique body of community voices actively engaged in improving the quality of life of men of color by focusing on a broad set of issues including health, employment, relationships, family, justice and equity. The committee is a gathering of these voices working together to move this work forward.

I welcome you on behalf of the committee, and extend to you the open hand of friendship to continue to work with us for another 20 years.

In peace,

Mo Barbosa

Chair, MOCTF

WHEREAS: Cambridge Health Heroes Awards and Men’s Health Funch is celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Cambridge Men’s Health Movement hosted by the Men of Color Task Force; and

WHEREAS: The Men of Color Task Force has worked very hard to ensure that black men take ownership of their own health and health issues that are pertinent to black men; and

WHEREAS: The Cambridge Health Alliance and its staff and its former employees have been extremely helpful in supporting the Men of Color Task Force, has we have moved pass our 20th year; and

WHEREAS: MOCTF have been so supportive over the years by the staffing commitment of the Cambridge Health Alliance and other agencies; now therefore be it

RESOLVED: That the Mayor of Cambridge and the entire City Council go on record thanking and congratulating Cambridge Heath Heroes, Dr. Melvin Chalfen, Estelle Paris, Leroy Cragwell, William Cobham, Dr. Janet Moses, John O’ Brien, Elaine DeRosa, Dr. David Bor, Dr. Allan Drabkin, Bernard Hicks, Jeffrey Beard, Benjamin Barnes; and be it further

RESOLVED: The City of Cambridge, has been a leader in colored men’s health because of your hard work and dedication.

SIGNED THIS 1st DAY OF JUNE, 2013.

_____________________________
Councillor
Kenneth E. Reeves

Rafael Barrios Sculpture in NYC

Myself, along with Robin Lapidus, the Executive Director of the Central Square Business Association, are leading a group of councillors and city officials to New York City. Our objective will be to explore the private and public relationships in many of New York’s city parks. Included in this trip will be to look at how these relationships co-exist and the programming that goes on in New York City parks. The ultimate goal would be to see if Cambridge can learn anything from our sister city. In addition, we will view new development projects in Manhattan and Brooklyn. There will be more information about this trip as we go on.

Additional Resources:

NYC Park System
Park Sculptures
Summer Stage

I voted to approve the school budget because I believe the schools and the superintendent, Jeff Young, are moving in the right direction. Although there is much work to be done, I am fully behind the innovation agenda and the building of a new King School on Putnam Ave.

“$473M BUDGET PASSED: The City Council voted 8-1 to approve a nearly $473 million budget – called the general fund budget – for fiscal 2014, with Councilor Craig Kelley voting against. The $472,820,685 budget represents a 3 percent – or $15 million – decrease from the fiscal 2013 allocation of $488,228,565. The entire discussion Monday focused on the School Committee’s $151 million appropriation (see the full story on Page 1). The finance committee of the council held hearings on April 30, May 9, commencing at 9 a.m., and May 9, commencing at 4 p.m. in City Hall to discuss the various city departments’ budgets.”

Additional Resources:

“Cambridge City Council Meeting Highlights”
Cambridge School Committee Budget Guidelines