Like many of you all, we at Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition are angered by the continued displays of police brutality, systemic injustice, and white supremacy evidenced by the recent murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and Tony McDade. These deaths reflect decades of discrimination toward Black people and Black communities. We stand in solidarity with those rising up to make sure that justice is served.
Police brutality is not the only marker of our country’s dark history that still is felt today. Decades of dis-investment in Black communities and in Black people has led to the differences we see in wealth accumulation and health outcomes. As an organization committed to the health and wellbeing of Black residents across Boston, especially in Mattapan, we believe more than ever that resources should be distributed in an equitable way to ensure that our residents are able to feel protected, and live healthy, resilient lives.
To our neighbors in Black neighbors and partner organizations in Mattapan, Dorchester, Roxbury, Hyde Park, Milton, and beyond, we see you, we hear you, keep fighting the fight that we know you fight day in and day out. Black Lives Matter.
To our White allies, now is the time to listen, educate, and take action, not just for lives lost, but to join us in envisioning and creating a neighborhood and city of a truly equal opportunity.
MFFC has so many partners doing great work (Urban Farming Institute, Church of the Holy Spirit, Voice of the Gospel Tabernacle Church, etc) so we cannot select just a few for others to support. We encourage you to support organizations who work year round addressing social justice issues.
As a Black-led, predominantly volunteer-run organization serving our community year-round, we are always seeking funds to support the work we do. Consider donating to MFFC now to help make sure that even during this national pandemic, our community is able to receive healthy, affordable produce at our farmer’s market and participate in physical activity programming.
Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition Leadership Team
Vivien Morris, Board Chair
Sonia Carter
Theresa Jordan
Reann Gibson
Robyn Gibson
Vickey Siggers
Shavel'le Olivier, ED