Department of Racial and Social Justice

Black History Month

Black History Month Wellness Workshop 

We're kicking off Black History Month programming in the City of Somerville with a Wellness Workshop, a grounding experience focused on breathwork, relaxation and healthy treats to nourish both your body and mind.  

This session will be led by Monia Fernandez of Monarch Wellness. 

Attendees should be prepared for light physical activity as well as soft conversation, light refreshments, and breathwork. 

• The event will be taking place on Thursday, February 12th at the Tufts Administration Building Atrium. For more information or to RSVP, click here. 

Lessons from the Past: Civil Rights Movement Then & Now 

Join the Department of Racial and Social Justice, Tufts University and the NAACP of Mystic Valley for Lessons from the Past: Civil Rights Then and Now, a powerful evening of reflection and dialogue exploring how the legacy of civil rights shapes our work today. The event is intended to bring together leaders, scholars, and community members to explore the evolution of civil rights advocacy across generations, which will reflect on historical movements, present-day realities, and the work still required to build a more just future. Light refreshments will be available before the moderated discussion.

• This discussion is taking place at the Chase Center on Tufts University Campus from 6 – 8 p.m. on Wednesday, February 18th. You can find out more information about the event, panelists, and RSVP here. 

Black History Month: Film Day 

You’re invited to a film screening to showcase impactful cinema centering stories of identity, joy, resistance and the realities shaping the black experience across generations. Stick around after each film for light refreshments, arts and crafts, and time with your neighbors.

Showtimes:

Soul | 10:30 a.m. | All Ages

The Hate U Give | 1:30 p.m. | Young Adult

Film for Adults TBA | 4 p.m. | Adult

*Stay tuned for more information about the adult film and subsequent panel conversation. Information will be updated here and at the RSVP link below. 

• We’re showing these films at Arts at the Armory from 10:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 19th. You can find the movies, showtimes, and more information here. 

To access promotional materials for this Black History Month programming, including a print flyer and social media graphics, click here.

Initiatives

The City of Somerville is committed to eliminating institutional and structural racism and its intersections with other forms of oppression. The work of the RSJ Department has prioritized five key areas:

• Public Safety for All
• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
• Commissions (SCPD, SCW, HRC)
• Hate-Bias Incidents Complaint Process
• Creating Structures for Equity

Accessibility Services & ADA Compliance

File a Complaint or Request

Commissions

The RSJ Department oversees and supports the work of the Human Rights Commission (HRC), the Somerville Commission for Women (SCW), and the Somerville Commission for Persons with Disabilities (SCPD) through staff attendance and participation in monthly meetings, activities, and events.

Get Involved & Stay Informed

1) Contact us: Text the RSJ Department at 781-808-7502 or email rsj@somervillema.gov.
 

2) Sign up for the Somerville Justice Journal — RSJ's monthly newsletter that highlights updates and announcements from our department, ongoing work from the commissions, and events happening around Somerville.

RSJ Open Data