In our society, there is often no space for marginalized people to tell their stories. Reclaiming Folk seeks to make space for musicians of color to tell their stories and tell the stories of our past, so that our future can be a more inclusive place for all. 

We are Reclaiming Folk because history has forgotten that people of color have always been at the root of American folk music. From field calls to blues to gospel, the origin of American folk music is connected to people of color.

This 90 minute program includes a 60 minute performance by three Massachusetts based folk artists of color—Naomi Westwater, Pamela Means, and Kim Moberg—singing songs in the round. Each musician will play original songs and one traditional folk song by a musician of color. Following the performance will be a 30 minute talk back—moderated by Boston Poet Laureate Porsha Olayiwola, who will also read a poem—where the musicians will talk about their songs and their experience as folk musicians. There will be time for audience Q&A.

WBUR and WERS are media partners for the Mayor's Office of Arts & Culture's 2024 event season. 

Established in 2022, our mission at the Office of Historic Preservation is to safeguard Boston's rich cultural heritage while amplifying the voices of underrepresented Bostonians. Housed within the Environment, Energy, and Open Space Cabinet, our department includes the Boston Landmarks Commission, the City Archaeology Program, and the Commemoration Commission.

Over the next several months the Office of Historic Preservation will continue it's outreach efforts to various neighborhood groups. The presentations aim is to advocate for a new framework showcasing how historic preservation can address some of Boston's pressing challenges in environmental sustainability, social equity, and affordable housing.

Review Slide Deck

Notice of accommodationS

English - Interpretation and translation services are available to you at no cost. fI you need them, please contact us at blc@boston.gov or 617-635-1935, as soon as possible.

Spanish - Espanol - Hay servicios de interpretación, traducción y adaptaciones para discapacidades a su disposición sin costo alguno. Si los necesita, por favor póngase en contacto con nosotros mandando un correo electrónico a (blc@boston.govv), LCA@boston.gov o llamando a (617-635-1935), hasta esta fecha: (Date: 5-1-24).

Haitian Creole -Kreyòl ayisyen: Sèvis entèpretasyon, tradiksyon, ak sèvis akomodasyon pou andikape disponib pou ou gratis. Si w bezwen sèvis sa yo, tanpri kontakte nou nan (blc@boston.gov) LCA@boston.gov oswa (617-635-1935), ant: (Date: 5-1-24)

Traditional Chinese - 繁體中文: 我 們 可 以 為 您 提 供 免 費 的 又 譯，筆譯，和殘疾人士合理照顧服務。 如 有 需 要， 請 在 (Date: 5-1-24 )X X 月 Y Y 日，前 與 我 們 連 絡，發電子郵件至 (bl c@boston.gov) L C A @ b o s t o n . g o v 或 致 電 (6 1 7 - 6 3 5 - 1935)

Vietnamese - Tiếng Việt: Các dịch vụ thông dịch, dịch thuật và hỗ trợ người khuyết tật được cung cấp miễn phí cho bạn. Nếu bạn cần họ, vui lòng liên lạc với chúng tôi theo địa chỉ (blc@boston.gov) LCA@boston.gov hoặc (617-635-1935) trước ngày: (Date: 5-1-24)

Simplified Chinese- 简体中文: 我们可以为您提供免费的又译，笔译，和残疾人士合理照顾服务。如有需要，请在 (5-1- 2 4 )X X 月 Y Y 日 前 与 我 们 联 系 ，发 电 子 邮 件 至 (blc@boston.gov ) LCA@bosto n.gov 或 致 电 (6 1 7 - 6 3 5 - 1 9 3 5 )

Cabo Verdean Creole - kriolu: Nu ta oferese-bu sirvisus di interpretason, traduson y sirvisus di komodason pa gentis ku difisénsia di grasa. Si bu meste kes sirvisu la, kontata-nu pa email (blc@boston.gov) LCA@boston.gov ó pa telefóni, pa númeru (617-635-1935). Na es data: (Date: 5-1-24)

Russian -Русский: Услуги устного и письменного перевода и по приспособлению инвалидов предоставляются бесплатно. Если Вам они нужны, просьба связаться с нами по адресу электронной почты (blc@boston.gov) LCA@boston.gov либо по телефону (617-635-1935) до (Date: 5-1-24)

Portuguese - Português: Disponibilizamos serviços de tradução e interpretação e adaptações especiais para pessoas com deficiências gratuitamente. Para solicitar, envie e-mail para (blc@boston.govv), LCA@boston.gov ou ligue para (617-635-1935) até o dia (Date: 5-1-24)

French - Français: Les services d'interprétation, de traduction et d'adaptation aux personnes handicapées sont à votre disposition gratuitement. Si vous en avez besoin, veuillez nous contacter à (blc@boston.gov), LCA@boston.gov ou au (617-635-1935), d'ici au:(Date: 5-1-24)

Somali - Af Soomaali: Adeegyada tarjumaadda luuqadaha iyo hoyga naafada ayaa diyaar kuu ah adiga oo aan wax kharash ah ka bixin. Haddii aad u baahatid iyaga, fadlan nagala soo xiriir (blc@boston.gov) , LCA@boston.gov ama (617-635-1935) markay taariikhdu tahay: (Date: 5-1-24)

Hosted by Boston Poet Laureate Porsha Olayiwola, featuring special guest Chen Chen, and in collaboration with the Mayor's Office of Arts and Culture, CitiMic is an opportunity to spend an evening celebrating poetry written and performed by your friends, family, neighbors, and community members. Join us to share your own poetry or as an audience member, enjoying the talent that Boston's poets have to offer.

Doors and sign-up for the open mic are at 5:30 p.m. Programming begins at 6 p.m. Light refreshments will be provided.

RSVP for the event

WBUR and WERS are media partners for the Mayor's Office of Arts & Culture's 2024 event season. 

In "Open Your Heart: Immigrant Stories from Boston and Beyond," you will trace the journey of ZUMIX youth from interviewing immigrant activists in East Boston to performing their stories at City Hall Plaza. 

About the artist

KMRU, is Nairobi-born, Berlin-based sound artist Joseph Kamaru. For him, sound is a sensorial medium through which social, material and conceptual interpretations are manifested in his works. KMRU carries with him a repository of listening experiences from Nairobi and beyond expanding his sonic practices, bringing an awareness of surroundings through creative compositions, installations and performances.

He has earned international acclaim from his performances at the Barbican, Berlin Atonal, Présences électronique, and releases on Editions Mego, Subtext, Seil Records. KMRU has carved out a serious and definitive space on the list of essential authors in ambient experimental music – one of the most prolific and innovative artists in his field.

Join us on Thursday, March 7 from 6 - 7:30 p.m. for the Women’s Artistry Reception: Celebrating Her Story. We will be celebrating women artists whose work will be displayed all over City Hall.

Don’t miss this chance to be in community, enjoy music from DJ Juelz, and experience some of the wonderful artwork that enlivens our building.



This program is a collaboration between the Mayor’s Office of Arts & Culture and the Mayor’s Office of Women’s Advancement.