Press Release: 9/12/2024

Chamber Hosts Fierce Urgency of Now Festival Opening Ceremony

 



Media Contact: cbaines@bostonchamber.com



 



On Tuesday, September 17, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m., the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce hosts the Opening Ceremony, which marks the start of the 7th annual Fierce Urgency of Now (F.U.N.) Festival, organized by the Chamber’s City Awake program. The Opening Ceremony will feature Secretary Lauren Jones, Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, and Undersecretary Nikko Mendoza, the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, in a moderated discussion with Chamber President & CEO, Jim Rooney. A Boston Chamber Foundation survey revealed that the most urgent issues for young residents are housing, jobs, and wages, and this conversation will focus on strategies and resources for young residents navigating their careers and housing options.



Throughout the one-day Festival, there will be sessions and panelists exploring challenges that impact Boston’s young residents and solutions that will help retain young people in the region. The Opening Ceremony and the Festival sessions will take place at Suffolk University, the Festival’s venue partner.  



Festival speakers include, but are not limited to: 





  • Sandy Lish, The Castle Group, 




  • Dr. Imari Paris Jeffries, Embrace Boston,  




  • Robert Lewis, Jr., Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston




  • Danielle Kim, Asian Community Fund




  • Colette Phillips, Get Konnected!




  • Alan Gentle, City of Boston's Center for Financial Empowerment




  • Justin Cross, TD Bank




  • Rashida Constantine, Chief Human Resources Officer, Suffolk University





View all of the Festival speakers and sessions here.





  • Location: This event will be in-person at Suffolk University, Sargent Hall, 110 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02108. 




  • Press and media should RSVP to Casey Baines at cbaines@bostonchamber.com





About the Fierce Urgency of Now Festival



The annual Fierce Urgency of Now Festival convenes hundreds of diverse, young professionals of color and allies for transformative sessions hosted by organizations and businesses throughout Greater Boston. Founded and organized by City Awake, the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce’s young professional platform, this festival is inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s. speech at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, and his call to action to recognize “the Fierce Urgency of Now” - the need for immediate, bold action to advance equity. Since its founding in 2018, more than 10,000 young professionals have gathered at the festival to increase the social capital among young professionals and professionals of color, support efforts to have a talented and diverse workforce, and celebrate the region’s cultural diversity.



 



About the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce



The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce is the convener, voice, and advocate of our region's business community, committed to making Greater Boston the best place for all businesses and all people to thrive. The Chamber helps members and Greater Boston succeed by convening and connecting the business community; researching, developing, and advocating for public policies that contribute to our region’s economic success; and providing comprehensive learning and development programs designed to grow strong business and civic leaders. Learn more at BostonChamber.com.