TAKING ISSUE
WITH INEQUITIES
On March 22, 2023, Prophetic Resistance Boston leaders went to the Department of Probation to build relationships and better enhance the experience of participants of our grassroots CORI Sealing Clinics. We have identified staff at the Probation Office that can help us track the status of applicants that use our CORI Sealing clinics.
MASS INCARCERATION
When the maps of the Geography of Incarceration produced by The Boston Foundation showed street by street incarceration in Boston, we simply could not sit on the issue of mass incarceration and how it has systematically destroying Black and Latino families and communities in Boston, ultimately giving Black people a net worth of eight dollars and Latinos even less.
We invited Partners Healthcare, one of the largest health care employees in Massachusetts, to become an anchor hospital requiring them to hire people with CORIs, a record of someone who has been criminally charged regardless of conviction. In July 2020, we partnered with Partners Brigham and Women’s and Mass Hire for our first virtual CORI friendly job fair with several leading Boston Hospitals attracting over 800 participants.
We also host ongoing CORI and warrant clinics. To read a bit about our Summer and Fall 2021 CORI actions click here. If you would like to be notified when the next ones are scheduled, please fill out this form.
We are currently working with the Boston Municipal Court to host Sanctuary Warrant Clinics at churches within Boston’s Black communities.
In May of 2022 Prophetic Resistance Boston leaders held their first RE-Entry Fair for returning citizens. We were able to provide resources for housing, health and trauma and employment opportunities along with two panel discussions.
PUBLIC Safety
Listening Sessions
We have been co-hosting listening sessions around the uptick in violence in Boston's black neighborhoods. We are out in the community knocking on doors and talking to residents and business owners about the impact of violence. Through listening to stories, we are learning not only about the impact of violence, but that many residents have solutions!
Previously, led by PRB Leader Deacon Jimmy Griswold of Macedonia Church, we organized residents on Astoria Street who are tired of shootings and other crimes being committed in the neighborhood coupled with the lack of police response. We brought neighbors together so that they might meet each other for the first time despite living next to one another for years. Our organizing helped neighbors to see their strength in numbers, engage the police and get responses to their concerns.
Also key to building a sense of community, trust, and relationship in the Grove Hall neighborhood have been our National Night Outs each August led by PRB Leader Stenard Ross. To learn more, click here. Join us this year on August 4. Visit our events page for further details.
VOTER ENGAGEMENT
Last Year during the Fair Share Campaign, Prophetic Resistance Boston leaders spoke to over three thousand voters, and the legislation was passed to tax millionaires their fair share allowing more money to be put into the state budget for education and transportation.
Previously, Prophetic Resistance Boston reached 1000 voters in Boston during the 2021 Mayoral race. We were the architects of the first candidates forum for Mayor of Boston hosted by three major Black Clergy organizations: Black Ministerial Alliance, Ten Point Coalition, and the Black Baptist Ministers of Boston and Vicinity.
Click here for additional images.
BELOVED ECONOMY
As we were out in the streets during Summer 2021 learning how CORI has restricted movement in our community, we also heard the stories of young people who have checked out of wanting to be employed within the confines of corporate America. They refuse to work in hostile, racist unhealthy environments that judge and restrict their potential. They have created their own source of revenue by hosting pop ups in backyards and selling products they have created and PRB hosted one such opportunity to grow a beloved economy.
IMMIGRATION
Deacon Carlos Ishmael was serving at Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist church when he was detained by ICE during his annual check in in March 2018. He was deported for literally no reason due to the Trump administration's immigration policy. PRB leaders are working with MCAN affiliates to create pathways to citizenship for TPS and DACA recipients. We are on a mission to bring Deacon Carlos home!
COVID RESPONSE
We gave out $1,500 in funds to assist families in need of food, masks and employment.
We gave out over three thousand masks to churches, organizations, day care centers and community residents.
HOUSING
PRB leaders recognized the importance of providing information for Black and Brown communities who have been the hardest hit from the COVID Pandemic.
We partnered with City Life/Vida Urbana in hosting a webinar with the City Of Boston’s Office of Housing Stabilization and co-hosted also with City Life/Vida Urbana a rally to bring awareness to evictions happening during the global pandemic.
Click here to see the “STOP THE EVICTION”ZOOM meeting recording
Click here to watch footage of January 2021 demonstration for tenant justice during COVID-19.
Click here to read coverage of the January 2021 demonstration.