June Monthly Meet-Up 

📅 When: Sunday, June 1st

⏰ Time: 9:30 AM – 2:30 PM

 📍Location: Spectacle Island (Meet at Rowe's Wharf)

To kick off the summer, our June Monthly Meet-Up is a special one—and it's open to both BHWOCC and POCIE members, along with your families! Join us for a fun-filled day trip to Spectacle Island, where you can soak up the sun, enjoy nature, fish, swim, play games, and have a nice picnic

We’re excited to offer this wonderful opportunity to experience one of the beautiful Boston Harbor Islands with your loved ones, and hope you’ll be able to take the time to detox and relax as the warm weather comes in.

May Monthly Meet-Up 

📅 When: Sunday, May 18th

⏰ Time: 12:00 – 2:30 PM

 📍Location: 125 Arborway, Boston, MA 02130 (Meeting at Visitor Center)

Join us for a private tour at the height of lilac season!
As the lilacs reach full bloom, we invite you to soak in their beauty and embrace the essence of spring. During this guided walk, you'll learn about the lilacs, the local flora and fauna, and the rich history of the area.

We will be offering two tour options happening simultaneously: one along a flat, easy walkway, and another on a more rugged path for those who enjoy a light hike. Please indicate your preferred tour so we can plan accordingly and ensure a comfortable experience for everyone.

April Monthly Meet-Up 

📅 When: Tuesday, April 22nd

⏰ Time: 6:00 – 8:00 PM

 📍Location: 62 Summer St, Boston, MA 02110

We are thrilled to invite you to a special event organized by BHWOCC in partnership with the Conservation Law Foundation (CLF). This event is designed for our members and other women of color in the environmental industry, offering a unique opportunity to engage, learn, and connect with other professionals in this space. 

Panel Discussion:
Women of Color in Leadership in the Environment will bring together voices from across the industry to share experiences, strategies, and reflections on the evolving landscape of green and blue spaces. Together, we'll explore the future of these industries, the cultural wisdom that shapes our environmental work, and more.

This is a great opportunity to connect, learn, and inspire alongside fellow BHWOCC members and other women of color in the field. There will be time to mingle with other professionals and network with others as well!

Join us for an exciting evening at the Museum of Science as we dive into their new speaker series on the role of Indigenous communities in climate resilience.

As coastal cities like Boston face increasing climate challenges, what can we learn from Indigenous communities that have been on the frontlines of climate change for generations? How can Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) help us adapt and build resilience in the face of rising sea levels, flooding, and drought?

The featured speakers, Joseph Lee and Jason Steiding, will share their vital work in combating water-related issues and protecting natural resources.

About The Featured Speakers:

• Joseph Lee: Aquinnah Wampanoag journalist and editor of Our Living Lands, a weekly radio segment exploring the impact of climate change on Indigenous communities. Joseph’s work has appeared in The Guardian, Vox, High Country News, and more. His upcoming book Nothing More of This Land is set to be released in July 2025.

• Jason Steiding: A native Cape Codder and eagle clan member of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe. As Natural Resources Director, Jason works to protect natural resources and ensure sustainability for future generations, overseeing fish and wildlife management, water resources, food sovereignty, and more.

Join us for special meet-up at The New England Aquarium’s Quincy Animal Care Facility for an exclusive tour of the Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center! This unique experience offers a behind-the-scenes look at the vital work the rescue team does to rehabilitate sea turtles and return them to the ocean. You’ll also get a tour of the Husbandry area, where experts care for a variety of marine life.

In this hands-on session, we’ll work together on food preparation, learn valuable cooking techniques, and discover the impactful work Green Roots does for the community. To top it off, we’ll enjoy a delicious meal made with fresh, locally grown produce from their farms, crafted with care and love.

About Green Roots:
Green Roots hosts cooking classes that address food insecurity, promote better nutrition, and connect people with farm-to-table meals while fostering a sense of community.

Learn more about their food justice program here: https://www.greenrootsej.org/our-work/food-justice

About Our Chef: Jojo Emerson
Jojo Emerson’s journey from professional baking to public health has fueled her passion for culinary education. With a background in baking, team building, and community health, Jojo believes collective cooking is a powerful tool for community building and cultural exchange.

With National Native American Heritage Month in November, we’re happy to bring you Potluck and Paint Night in collaboration with the North American Indian Center of Boston (NAICOB)!

Bring your favorite dish to share with the coalition and enjoy a guided painting session led by NAICOB artist-in-residence, Geraldine Barney. 

Who’s Geraldine Barney?

Geraldine is a visual artist and singer/songwriter originally from Northwest New Mexico, the eastern part of the Navajo Nation. Her work explores the relationship between the traditional Navajo values and beliefs she grew up with on the Navajo Reservation and contemporary city life off the reservation.

Potluck Details:
Please sign up for a dish on our Potluck Sign-Up Spreadsheet. We aiming to have around 25 to 30 members in attendance for this event and hope to have a wide variety of snacks, dishes, and drinks! 

Bringing a dish to the potluck is required but encouraged—you don’t need to bring food to enjoy what's shared! If you’d like to contribute, you can sign up for a dish in the RSVP.

NAICOB has been an incredible partner to the coalition, always showing up for us and our events, so we hope the coalition is able to give the same love back to them. We’re so excited to collaborate with them for this special evening, and it’s truly something you won’t want to miss! 

Sustainable Shop & Clothing Swap with UVIDA

For our upcoming October meet-up, we're excited to partner with UVIDA for a clothing swap! It's the perfect opportunity to clear out your closet and refresh it with some second-hand finds. We welcome all types of clothing in all sizes—shirts, pants, dresses, jackets, men's clothes, baby clothes, and even books!

Since it’s October, UVIDA is also accepting Halloween costumes! If you’ve got one to swap, bring it along and find a new one for the season.

You can bring as many items as you like, and it’s a one-for-one exchange.

We are excited to announce that the Boston Harbor Women of Color Coalition (BHWOCC) and Professionals of Color in the Environment (POCIE) are collaborating for Netwalk in Nature on Friday, September 6 on Peddocks Island from 9am-5pm!

Netwalk in Nature is a professional development experience like no other! We're taking over Peddocks Island to connect with each other and the outdoors by exploring the many career opportunities available on Boston Harbor and the greater environmental field. Join us to connect directly from folks at the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the National Parks Service, Massport and more while they take us around the island and share their professional experience and insights working on the water. You can also look forward to an engaging and relevant workshop with POCIE CoFounder Nia Keith, discussing strategies to navigate white dominated office spaces.

This event is perfect for folks who are eager to learn more about the vast array of career opportunities and connections in the outdoors, people looking to network with both BHWOCC and POCIE members, and those looking to enjoy nature alongside other passionate people of color. 

We'll have lawn games, food, headshots and more for a FREE DAY of connecting, networking, and career growth! RSVP HERE

This event is made possible through the Boston Harbor Island Partnership Innovation Island grant, thank you to all involved in making this opportunity possible!

Experience the beauty of Boston’s waterways with a delightful sailing trip at our August BHWOCC Monthly Meet Up. This is a perfect way to enjoy the outdoors and bond with other members of the coalition! No sailing experience necessary and new sailors are encouraged. Piers Park instructors will guide our sail before we enjoy iconic Santarpio’s pizza at one of the most beautiful Boston Harbor waterfront parks.

We are once again planning on coming together for our fourth Annual Retreat at Thompson Island! We will have a keynote guest speaker, workshops, food, and time to connect, get grounded, and get inspired. The annual BHWOCC Retreats have been a hub of collaboration and inspiration. Coalition Members have utilized the Annual Retreat to brainstorm and implement strategic solutions to address swim safety, membership support, environmental justice, and more. BHWOCC continues to create a space that centers on women of color, focuses on cultivating relationships, creating professional pathways of advancement, developing culturally informed programming and events, and building strategies to address climate change in communities of color

Jasmin Graham is a marine biologist recognized for her contributions to conservation and social justice, particularly in shark science. In 2020, she co-founded Minorities in Shark Sciences, an organization dedicated to making the field more equitable, especially for women of color. The mission of the organization is to "give opportunities to people that haven’t had opportunities," addressing a critical need, as studies indicate that only 2% of graduates in marine biology are Black. 

Her latest work, "Sharks Don’t Sink" is a riveting, moving, and ultimately triumphant memoir that delves into the journey of a young Black scientist striving to thrive beyond the traditional boundaries of academia. Fueled by her profound connection to one of nature's most misunderstood creatures—the shark—this memoir sits at the intersection of science and social justice. It serves as a guidebook for learning to respect and protect some of nature’s most misunderstood and vulnerable creatures while also extending that same grace to ourselves.

Join us at the New England Aquarium as we celebrate the launch of Jasmin’s latest work!” This is a fantastic opportunity to meet Jasmin, hear her inspiring story, and get your copy of the book signed, and be a part of an exclusive members only reception prior to the event.

Get ready to dive into summer serenity with Linda Wellness Warrior! Join us in Franklin Park for outdoor yoga, where we'll embrace body trust, delve into breathwork, and discover yoga variations. This an inclusive yoga session open to all bodies and levels of experience. After our mindful practice, we’ll savor a delightful community lunch together.

It’s time for a garden party! Meet us at the Nightingale Community Garden along with the Trustees of Reservation to tour bountiful community garden plots and get them prepped for spring growth. BHWOCC Members will also enjoy light refreshments and learn about herbalism with BHWOCC Co-Founder Joye Williams!

It's time for spring cleaning and wetland restoration along the Mystic River at Gateway Park! BHWOCC Members from the Mystic River Watershed Association will lead the way as we help with soil preparation for planting, nest building, and mushroom soil inoculation after a picnic in the park!

BHWOCC is partnering with the City of Boston to explore the new Slavery in Boston Exhibit at Faneuil Hall. The exhibit confronts Boston’s role in slavery through stories, documents, and objects belonging to the enslaved folks who were brought in through Faneuil Hall.

Experience an exclusive journey into the stunning world of "Forecast Form: Art in the Caribbean Diaspora, 1990s–Today". This one-of-a-kind exhibit features 28 contemporary Caribbean artists and their masterpieces, taking you on an eye-opening journey through the concept of diaspora. Then enjoy delectable spread of light bites and beverages at the ICA Wine + Coffee Bar, providing the perfect end to our artistic adventure!

Get ready for a fin-tastic evening with BHWOCC at the New England Aquarium! Join for an exciting private cocktail hour, then dive into an eye-opening evening of discussing inclusivity in shark research and conservation with the brilliant Jasmin Graham, president and CEO of Minorities in Shark Sciences.

Experience Boston Harbor by sailboat! Piers Park Sailing Center will take members on an hour long sail.

Come join our annual Boston Harbor Women of Color Coalition Retreat where we will have amazing speakers, delicious food, and a safe and welcoming space for women of color to feel supported and inspired to continue their work in blue and green spaces along Boston Harbor.

Drinking craft beer in the heart of Boston at Dorchester Brewing Company with food from M&M BBQ.

Private tour of Simone Leigh’s landmark Venice presentation at the ICA with light bites and wine at ICA Wine + Coffee Bar.

Come join our 2nd annual Boston Harbor Women of Color Coalition Retreat where we will have amazing speakers, delicious food, and a safe and welcoming space for women of color to feel supported and inspired to continue their work in blue and green spaces along Boston Harbor.

Last year we hosted our inaugural BHWOCC Retreat that took place in July 2021 on Thompson Island, it became clear that swim safety and addressing the overwhelming and disproportionate amount of Black and POC community members drowning was a top priority.