From the Community

Afrika Gente with Cornell Coley Performing as Part of JP Open Studios on Sept. 25

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Hyde Square Task Force is hosting an Afro-Latin music performance as a part of JP Open Studios on Sept. 25th. Get ready to dance and enjoy Afrika Gente with Cornell Coley on the side of the Blessed Sacrament Church (361 Centre St.). This performance is a part of Hyde Square Task Force’s series for Latinx Heritage Month. For more information, contact Sarah at sarah@hydesquare.org or 617-318-6610.

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Business

Proposals for Future of Blessed Sacrament Church Being Shared Starting Sept. 18

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Three proposals for the shuttered Blessed Sacrament Church will be shared with the community virtually and in-person starting Sept. 18. Back in May 2020, Hyde Square Task Force's (HSTF) board of directors voted to sell the church as redevelopment and ongoing maintenance were too expensive, and took away from HSTF's mission of supporting enrichment programs for Boston's youth. HSWTF hired Colliers/Cushman and Wakefield to help move the sale of the property forward to a developer that will do something with the property that benefits the community. "As a long-standing nonprofit, deeply rooted in Jamaica Plain, we understand the concerns expressed by members of our community and have worked to address those within the top finalists among the bidders, acknowledging that there could be some community members that might not be satisfied with the options before us.

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From the Community

Boston Latin Quarter Pop-Up Performance Series: Jorge Arce & Winfred Meadows on July 23

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Musicians Jorge Arce and Winfred Meadows will be bringing their Afro-Caribbean music to the neighborhood for a free concert on July 23rd. This performance is a part of a series of pop-up performances happening in Boston’s Latin Quarter this summer sponsored by Hyde Square Task Force. The concert is at 7 pm on the side of the Blessed Sacrament Church (361 Centre St.). For more information about all the pop-up performances, visit @BostonsLatinQuarter on Facebook or Instagram. For more information, email Sarah Brugge at sarah@hydesquare.org.

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From the Community

Boston Latin Quarter Pop-Up Series Featuring Musician Andrea Cruz on July 8

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Musician Andrea Cruz will be kicking off her El Sentir tour with a live performance outside the Connolly Branch Library on July 8th. Andrea Melina Cruz Tirado is a female Puerto Rican artist, singer-songwriter, born in Aibonito, Puerto Rico in 1994. Cruz launched her first musical project Amapola in 2014, positioning her within the alternative music scene on her home island. In 2017, Cruz released her debut album Tejido de laurel, which went on to climb the top of the charts within Puerto Rico’s most important music lists. After two years of sharing her sound in and outside of Puerto Rico, the singer-songwriter started 2019 with an extraordinary NPR Tiny Desk concert and the release of the single "Véngole" featuring Gaby Moreno.

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From the Community

Hyde Square Task Force Pop-Up Art: Figurine Making with Silvina Mizrahi on June 24

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Create your own figurine of yourself or someone you admire with artist Silvina Mizrahi on June 24. Mizrahi will be at the Mildred Hailey Apartment’s Hot Dog Night (10 Horan Way) from 4 to 6 pm on Thursday, June 24. This art activity is a part of a series of pop-up art activities and performances happening in Boston’s Latin Quarter this summer sponsored by Hyde Square Task Force. For more information about all the pop-up performances, visit @BostonsLatinQuarter on Facebook or Instagram. For more information, email Sarah Brugge at sarah@hydesquare.org.

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From the Community

Letter: To Hyde Square Task Force About Community Process for Sale of Church

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The following is a letter sent to the Hyde Square Task Force from the Friends of the Blessed Sacrament Church requesting an open, transparent community process during the selection of a developer for the church. We were pleased to hear that the Hyde Square Task Force (HSTF) has received several formal offers to purchase the Blessed Sacrament Church building, and that there is interest in the property beyond condo developers. We are also encouraged by recent statements that HSTF will prioritize a buyer that appreciates the significance of the church building to the Boston Latin Quarter and that HSTF will be considering community benefit as well as financial benefit and make sure any future buyer listens to the voices and concerns of the Latin Quarter community. As you consider proposals to develop the church, Friends of Blessed Sacrament requests that HSTF create a process where the community gets a chance to meet potential developers and give input and feedback before HSTF makes a final decision. Specifically, we request that before taking a board vote to select a developer, the HSTF hold one or more public meetings where the community can hear from potential developers and give their feedback and comments.

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Development

Hyde Square Task Force Declares Sale of Blessed Sacrament Church Will Benefit Community

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The Hyde Square Task Force announced that the sale of the Blessed Sacrament Church will eventually be sold to a developer that will do something with the property that benefits the community. The Hyde Square Task Force Board of Directors emailed an update in English and Spanish to provide an update to the community. The board reiterated that they decided to sell the old church after six years of exploring ways to turn it into a community space. But they ultimately decided they didn't want to do a multi-million dollar campaign to transform the church. After announcing they would sell the property, many community members were frustrated that a community space was not being created, and that HSTF would sell the property to a developer.

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From the Community

Call for Artists for Pop-up Art Performances and Exhibits in Latin Quarter

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Calling all artists! Hyde Square Task Force is looking to host a series of outdoor pop-up art performances/exhibits in different locations throughout Boston’s Latin Quarter between June and August. We are looking for a variety of performances/exhibits that will uplift the Afro-Latin culture of the neighborhood, bring vibrancy to the cultural district, and encourage people to get out in the district and support our local businesses. We are open to all art forms! Deadline is Monday, May 17th.

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Coronavirus

COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic at Hyde Square Task Force on May 7

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The Hyde Square Task Force is happy to be hosting a COVID-19 vaccination clinic this Friday, May 7th, from 2 to 7 pm. Anyone ages 16 and older are welcome to register for the clinic. This clinic is in partnership with the city of Boston. The vaccination clinic will take place at Hyde Square Task Force, located at 30 Sunnyside St., Jamaica Plain, directly behind the former Blessed Sacrament Church building. Please click this link to register for a vaccination appointment: https://www.cic-health.com/boston/hyde.

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From the Community

Opinion: Why I Support State Sen. Chang-Díaz’s Police Reform Bill

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Racial profiling continues to be a problem in Massachusetts and throughout our country, as people continue to be prejudged because of the color of their skin. Often, police officers will attack first and ask questions later. According to the ACLU Massachusetts, Black and Latinx motorists are significantly more likely to be stopped and have their vehicle searched. A 2018 analysis of Boston court data showed that Black motorists are nearly 15 times more likely to be charged with a motor vehicle offense in certain parts of the city. In the movie The Hate You Give two innocent Black teens are driving on a back road at night enjoying each other’s company when they get pulled over by police for being Black.

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