Community members, family, and friends will gather to commemorate Sarah-Ann Shaw's legacy as a journalist, dedicated community leader, and champion for Roxbury. This special ceremony recognizes her lasting impact by renaming the branch in her honor, ensuring her legacy of service, storytelling, and advocacy continues to inspire future generations.

Looking for support getting connected to resources and navigating City services? Meet with the Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement during our community office hours at the East Boston Branch of the Boston Public Library. 

Office hours will take place on the following days:

• First Thursday of every month from 4 - 7 p.m. at the East Boston branch
• Fourth Thursday of every month from 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. at the Copley branch

Registration is not required, and interpretation and disability accommodations will be available.

This family-friendly public art festival, supported by the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture, is bringing 10+ new murals to Roxbury from June 4-13. Join us for the closing block party to celebrate the completed artworks on Saturday, June 13 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Roxbury YMCA. There will be food trucks, live art installations, and family-friendly activities.

Art has always been a powerful tool for teaching, storytelling, and preserving culture. In this engaging conversation, Art as Education explores how public art and muralism serve as platforms for learning, community engagement, and social transformation. Featuring BLKOUT Walls artists and creative leaders, the panel will examine how artists use their work to share history, amplify underrepresented voices, inspire critical thinking, and create meaningful dialogue in public spaces.

Panelists will discuss the responsibility and opportunity artists have as educators, the role of art in shaping cultural identity, and how creative expression can empower communities while fostering connections across generations. Attendees will gain insight into the ways public art can extend beyond aesthetics to become a catalyst for awareness, understanding, and lasting impact.

Key Topics:

• Storytelling through public art
• Preserving history and cultural narratives
• Art as a tool for social change and civic engagement
• Engaging youth and communities through creativity
• The artist's role as educator, advocate, and changemaker

This conversation is ideal for artists, educators, students, community leaders, and anyone interested in the intersection of creativity, culture, and learning.

Moderator: Che Anderson

Note: Limited seats available. Secure your place today!

This panel explores how art has long served as a powerful tool for protest, resilience, and change. From murals that reclaim public space to works that amplify community voices, artists have continuously used their craft to challenge oppression and spark dialogue. Panelists will discuss the intersection of creativity and activism, sharing how their work embodies resistance while fostering hope, unity, and transformation. Attendees will gain insight into how art not only reflects social struggles but also shapes the future of movements for justice and equity.

Moderators: Che Anderson and Jenne Jeneé Osterheldt of A Beautiful Resistance

Note: Limited seats available. Secure your place today!