Sen. Duson attends inaugural New England Black Elected Officials Summit at Massachusetts State House

AUGUSTA ­­— On February 16, Sen. Jill Duson, D-Portland, participated in the inaugural New England Black Elected Officials Summit, which convened at the Massachusetts State House in Boston. The Senator was joined by esteemed leaders from New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts. The Summit was hosted by the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus.

“I was honored to attend the inaugural New England Black Elected Officials Summit,” said Sen. Duson. “This gathering exemplifies the power of collaboration, and allowed so many of us to engage in critical discussions and foster collaboration among black elected officials in the region.”

With opening remarks by Sen. Lydia Edwards, Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll, the summit displayed a unified commitment to addressing the challenges faced by black constituents and advocating for equitable policies. The summit focused on policy issues facing African-American communities locally and the greater region. The discussions focused on key issues including: education, housing, public health, economic development and criminal justice.

The summit concluded with a reception at the Museum of African American History in Beacon Hill, which is the historic epicenter of black culture in Boston. The legislators learned about the historical significance of the African Meeting House and the abolitionist history of Beacon Hill. The evening concluded with time for reflection.

Sen. Duson (front, second from left) and Speaker of the House Rachel Talbot Ross (front row, third from left) in the Massachusetts State House

(From left to right) Spkr Rachel Talbot Ross, Sen. Lydia Edwards, and Sen. Jill Duson