A Community Celebration Honoring the Life and Legacy of Senator Bill Owens

100 Morrissey Boulevard,Boston MA 02125

26 April, 2022

Description

Celebrate the life and legacy of Massachusetts first African American Senator, Bill Owens, Sr. The Africana Studies Department at UMass-Boston is sponsoring a Community Celebration in Honor of Senator Bill Owens with a community, national and international focus. Senator Owens was a transformational leader who knocked down barriers for marginalized people throughout his career. He came from humble beginnings in Demopolis, Alabama and moved to Boston with his older brothers at the age of 15. 1974, Bill became the first Black Senator in the state of Massachusetts. His many extraordinary accomplishments include: leading the effort to secure the funds to build Roxbury Community College and the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center, creating the State Office of Minority and Women Business Assistance (SOMBA), advancing the rights of the LGBTQ+ community, establishing the Black Men’s Health and Education and Learning Program (H.E.L.P.) for Black Male's Health, and filing legislation for the payment of Reparations for descendants of enslaved Africans in the United States. In Person attendance registration and masks are encouraged On-Line Attendance, please register to receive event link Reception to follow.