roxbury

In 2018, an idea went from seed to blossom for artist Ekua Holmes. The Roxbury resident began planting sunflowers in vacant lots around the neighborhood and distributing seeds to local residents.

As part of the Transformative Public Art Program run by the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture, 10 murals and 27 short-term projects and art activations have been funded around Boston, many in the Roxbury neighborhood. The initiative aims to bring public art projects into the neighborhoods where residents spend their time, to bring accessibility and joy to each enclave.

More than 200 units of income-restricted housing across Roxbury and parts of Dorchester will be kept affordable, according to the Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation (JPNDC).

A break in the rain Sunday provided an ideal opportunity for scores of celebrants to march in the Roxbury Unity Parade, an event meant to highlight the residents of the neighborhood.

For local members of the Mount Calvary Holy Church of America in Roxbury, their church at 9-19 Otisfield Street is a property meant to serve its neighborhood through religious services and other community programing. A conflict with the national ministry of the same name that acts as an umbrella organization for the Boston church and other affiliates across the country may pose a challenge to that mission.

The Roxbury International Film Festival (RoxFilm) has evolved in size and scope over the past two decades, but its core mission of amplifying underrepresented voices remains true.

Roxbury native Oye Owolewa made history as the first Nigerian American elected as a shadow representative for the U.S. Congress.

Since Rep. Chynah Tyler took over the Caucus, many of the body’s longstanding practices have been upended. The body has not agreed on an agenda for the year, has not held regularly scheduled meetings and has passed up opportunities to weigh in on key issues.

State Rep. Jon Santiago and City councilors Andrea Campbell and Annissa Essaibi George outlined their plans for the area earlier this year, while City Councilor Michelle Wu and acting Mayor Kim Janey have not yet announced specific platforms.

Headlined by keynote speaker and 2020 Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Jericho Brown, the Roxbury Poetry Festival will feature writers, panelists and curators in conversation. Poets of all ages and styles will come together at the festival on June 5 to celebrate the powerful medium.

Local developers have introduced a project in Nubian Square to add floors and introduce co-living spaces to a Nubian Square building. A proposed project at 1127 Harrison Ave will bring 94 micro units with shared amenity spaces, 12 income-restricted units, and renovate the commercial space.

The BPDA voted to name the NUBA team, lead by Kamran Zahedi of Urbanica LLC. developer of Parcel 8 on April 17, moving the Melnea Cass parcel to the next step.