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Description
Boston City Council President Kim Janey delivers the keynote address to the Directors and Members of the Boston Municipal Research Bureau at their virtual 2021 Annual Meeting.
Please follow this link for complete event video: https://youtu.be/L_epHJE7hJM
A
I
would
especially
like
to
acknowledge
and
thank
mayor
marty
walsh,
who
is
joining
us
today.
He
has
been
a
great
partner
in
ensuring
a
smooth
transition
and
he
will
be
a
great
leader
for
working
people
across
our
country.
As
the
united
states
secretary
of
labor,
I
want
to
thank
everyone
for
being
here.
A
A
A
A
A
I
was
born
into
a
family
with
deep
roots
in
the
south
end
and
six
generations
in
roxbury
the
center
of
our
great
city.
I
come
from
a
long
line
of
proud
entrepreneurs,
the
lifeblood
of
boston's
economy,
my
family
and
my
community
supported
and
guided
me
from
an
early
age
shaping
my
love
and
my
view
of
our
city.
A
A
I
was
inspired
as
a
young
mother
to
start
working
on
behalf
of
all
children,
because
I
understood
my
own
daughter's
experiences
were
interconnected
with
those
of
every
child
across
the
city.
As
a
part
of
massachusetts
advocates
for
children,
I
led
efforts
to
make
lasting
reforms
that
promote
equity
and
excellence
in
education,
for
students
in
boston,
public
schools.
A
Together,
we
push
to
close
achievement,
gaps
and
open
opportunities,
so
all
children
can
thrive
and
grow
to
be
the
innovators
of
tomorrow
that
work
advocating
for
better
local
schools,
fueled
my
interest
and
local
government
in
2017.
I've
ran
for
and
won
a
seat
on
the
boston
city
council.
I
became
the
first
woman
to
represent
district
7
located
in
the
heart
of
our
city.
A
Two
years
later,
my
peers
on
the
council
elected
me,
president
of
the
most
diverse
city
council,
in
boston's
history
and
working
with
my
colleagues
and
with
the
walsh
administration,
we've
advanced
city
policy
and
city
budgets,
to
deliver
a
better
boston
for
all
soon.
My
journey
and
boston's
journey
will
take
one
more
step
forward.
As
I
become
the
first
woman
and
first
black
mare
in
our
city's
history.
A
I
am
living
proof
that
boston
is
a
city
of
possibilities
as
a
student
and
then
as
a
parent
as
an
organizer
and
an
advocate
as
a
district
counselor
and
as
council
president
and
soon
as
mayor
it
has
been,
and
is
my
honor
and
privilege
to
live,
work
and
lead
in
the
city
that
I
love
today.
While
we
continue
to
face
real
structural
barriers
to
fulfilling
our
true
potential,
I
firmly
believe
that
our
best
days
are
ahead.
A
A
A
A
A
I
am
eager
excited
and
ready
to
lead
our
great
city
as
the
55th
mayor
of
boston,
I'd
like
to
recognize
the
city
hall
staff
and
transition
committee
members
attending
today's
annual
meeting.
Together.
We
are
setting
policy
and
budget
priorities
that
reflect
our
values,
with
a
focus
on
recovery,
reopening
and
renewal.
A
A
A
This
pandemic
has
impacted
every
single
one
of
us.
There
are
signs
of
hope
as
more
people
receive
the
vaccine,
but
we
must
remain
vigilant
following
the
public
health
guidance
that
we
know
slows
the
spread.
It's
worth
repeating.
What
helps
to
keep
us
safe,
washing
our
hands
wearing
our
mask,
maintaining
social
distance,
avoiding
gatherings
and
getting
tested.
A
A
This
community
has
experienced
more
than
30
percent
of
covet
cases
in
the
city,
and
black
residents
have
a
higher
death
rate
due
to
covet
19
than
any
other
population
in
boston
patterns
of
disproportionate
impact
cannot
persist
as
we
roll
out
vaccines.
We
are
actively
developing
programs
to
deliver
them
more
equitably.
A
A
A
A
A
A
We
will
design
additional
programs
in
the
months
ahead,
for
and
with
you,
we
opening
our
city
also
means
supporting
the
people
who
make
our
city
run
from
day.
One
of
this
pandemic
essential
workers
have
been
on
the
front
lines:
keeping
hospitals,
open,
store
shelves,
stocked
and
buses
running.
While
we
work
to
understand
the
virus
and
provide
the
protections
to
keep
workers
safe.
A
Other
residents
of
our
city
found
themselves
without
employment
at
all,
restaurant
staff,
hotel
workers
and
many
others
were
locked
out
when
the
world
locked
down.
We
need
to
get
boston
back
to
work.
I
am
committed
to
placing
workers
at
the
center
of
our
reopening
plans,
working
together
with
the
business
community
and
organized
labor.
I
know
boston
is
a
city
that
can
ensure
every
worker
receives
fair
treatment,
fair
wages
and
the
training
they
need
to
fill
the
jobs
of
our
emerging
industries.
A
The
past
year
has
also
left
at
home
workers
wanting
more
collaboration
with
colleagues.
Many
are
ready
and
want
to
return.
I've
met
with
mbta
general
manager,
steve
pofftac
and
reinforced
the
importance
of
frequent
transit
service
for
all
employees,
as
we
responsibly
reopen
public
venues
and
private
offices.
A
A
Teachers,
like
my
sister
tarisha
janey,
who
is
celebrating
20
years
as
a
teacher
at
the
murphy
school
in
dorchester,
and
is
also
celebrating
her
birthday
today,
reopening
means
following
the
science
and
public
health
protocols
that
keep
our
schools
safe.
I
want
to
take
this
opportunity
to
thank
our
school
leaders,
teachers,
custodians
bus
drivers
and
staff.
A
A
A
A
A
As
we
reopen,
we
can't
settle
for
going
back.
We
must
go
better,
let's
put
equity
first
and
welcome
new
voices
together.
Let's
continue
to
make
progress
on
the
most
urgent
issues
facing
our
city
confronting
systemic
racism
and
the
health
and
wealth
gaps.
It
creates
tackling
climate
change
and
increasing
climate
resiliency
and
living
our
values
and
government
operations
to
make
these
possibilities
a
reality
will
take
all
of
us
in
the
coming
weeks
and
months.
There
will
be
exciting
opportunities
for
you
and
your
organizations
to
join
me
in
leading
boston's
recovery,
reopening
and
renewal.
A
First
among
these
is
expanding
opportunities
for
entrepreneurs
of
color,
giving
small
business
owners
a
fair
shot
at
providing
the
products
and
services
organizations
need.
As
mayor,
I
intend
to
lead
by
example,
with
new
programs
to
boost
city
contracts
with
minority
business
enterprises
and
new
targets
to
hold
ourselves
accountable.