Ronnie Devoe of New Edition and Bell Biv Devoe introduced Josh, Recognizes Significance of Location in Heart of City

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BOSTON, MA – Josh Kraft, candidate for Mayor of Boston, hosted community members, campaign volunteers and supporters at his new campaign headquarters office to kickoff and celebrate its grand opening. The building is located at 36 Warren Street in Roxbury’s Nubian Square neighborhood. 

This is the first time since Mel King ran for Mayor of Boston 40 years that a candidate has put their headquarters in the heart of Black Boston. The office will act as the hub of the campaign, particularly the growing field operation to support volunteer mobilization, voter engagement and community outreach. 

“Every aspect of our campaign – from building a first-class staff, to attracting volunteers, to driving the public conversation in the media, to fundraising – has been firing on all cylinders, and I’m thrilled to carry the momentum of our HQ opening into our continued work on this campaign,” said Josh.

Introducing Josh at yesterday’s event was Ronnie Devoe, a Roxbury native who went on to become a well-known singer and member of two R&B and hip hop groups, New Edition and Bell Biv Devoe. “Thank you, Josh, for choosing to put your headquarters right here in the heart of the city, and in a neighborhood that birthed me and gave me the foundation for all of my success.”

Since announcing his candidacy on February 4, the campaign has gained momentum and support from every neighborhood in Boston. This was evident at the grand opening celebration where more than 200 people attended to support Josh, learn more about how to get involved and meet members of the team.

“This couldn’t be a more appropriate place for our campaign to call home,” added Josh. “This campaign is about making sure that every voice in Boston is heard and valued. Being in the heart of Boston – in the heart of Roxbury – this is the ideal location to manage a growing field operation, recruit volunteers, and stay in close contact with the community.” 

For photos from the event, check out Josh’s Instagram page. 

About Josh

Josh Kraft has spent his 35 year career working in disadvantaged communities in and around Boston. He was most recently President of the New England Patriots Foundation, and for three decades he worked with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston, including 12 years as its President and CEO.

Josh’s commitment to service began with his first job out of college as an outreach coordinator at a South Boston nonprofit. There he was responsible for making sure at-risk youth attended school in the morning, regularly visiting their families at home. It was in this role that Josh saw firsthand truancy, addiction and domestic violence, but also what is possible for communities when like minded individuals engaged in a common goal.

In 1993, he founded the Boys & Girls Club in Chelsea at a time when the city and its schools were in state receivership. Located in the basement of a public housing development, Josh went door-to-door raising money from local businesses to rehabilitate the facility and organize and fund a summer basketball league coached and refereed by local police officers he had personally recruited. Josh would serve as executive director of the Chelsea Boys & Girls Club for the next 15 years, building and managing an extremely loyal staff and deeply engaged local Board, leading major local fundraising campaigns and piloting innovative programming to create a safe haven for thousands of young people in one of Massachusetts’ most underserved communities.

Unanimously selected to serve as the Boys & Girls Club of Boston’s President and CEO in 2008, Josh fostered a community of more than 200 program partners throughout Boston and Chelsea, doubling the club’s budget to $26 million and leading a five-year campaign which raised nearly $132 million. During his tenure, Josh doubled the organization’s membership, deepened its impact and expanded its reach to Boston’s Jamaica Plain, Roslindale, and Mattapan neighborhoods.

For more on Josh and the campaign, visit www.joshforboston.com

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Media Contact:
Eileen O’Connor
eileen@joshforboston.com
617-806-6999