Boston Swears In 21-Member Commission on Black Men and Boys After Eight-Year Push

BOSTON — July 19, 2026 — Boston formally swears in its 21-member Commission on Black Men and Boys, capping an eight-year organizing effort. Mayor Michelle Wu administered the oath of office at a City Hall ceremony on July 19, timed to coincide with Malcolm X Day, calling the commission "community grounded and community oriented" and pledging city funding for its programs. Executive Director Frank Farrow, who leads the Office of Black Male Advancement launched in February, announced $75,000 in small grants for community-based organizations, three new staff hires, and early milestones including job fairs that drew more than 350 Black men combined and a UMass Boston mentorship pilot in Boston Public Schools — all within the office's first 100 days. The commission's 21 seats are filled through three tracks: seven expert appointees, seven council-recommended members, and seven drawn from an open pool of 305 applicants. All meetings will be open to the public at the Bruce Bowling Building in Nubian Square on the first Wednesday of each month, with a community listening tour planned through August.