January 22, 2025
The first-ever teen-led Martin Luther King, Jr. Day commemoration took place at the Mattapan Teen Center on Monday with a large crowd from all walks of life in attendance. Seth Daniel photos
Question of the day: How best to bring his legacy closer to homeThe Josh Kraft Mattapan Teen Center hosted a teen-led intergenerational luncheon to celebrate the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on Monday with its young members putting together a program with a catered lunch and invitations to senior citizens, community service officers, teens, teachers, and adults from throughout the community.
After lunch, participants at each table were encouraged to respond to questions prompted by teen members that focused on how the King legacy could be brought closer to home in Mattapan.
Community Service Officer Derek Green with Myrtle Huggins and B-3 Sgt. Joe DeVito.
Myrtle Huggins, a senior who is active at the Mildred Avenue Community Center and serves as chair of her Apple Grove civic group, said it was about “everyone pulling together. We should come out to a meeting and be open with something we need help on. It can’t just be me opening my mouth all the time. I think we could get someplace great if we all pull together.”
Bobby Jenkins, a Mattapan resident and youth sports advocate, said he felt it was time to honor King by coming out in greater numbers to vote, especially in local elections like those coming up this fall.
Mattapan’s Bobby Jenkins with City Councillor Henry Santana.
“We need to get out and vote,” he said. “The numbers from the last few elections are horrible. Dr. King and our forefathers fought and died for that freedom, so we can vote. We need to get out and vote as a community.”
Josh Kraft, a likely candidate for mayor this year, according to recent reports, was in attendance. The center was re-named for him three years ago in recognition of his leadership at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston (BGCB), which owns and manages the Hazelton Street space.
Kraft advised the teens: “Meet as many people as you can and get to know them.”
Tanisha Milton, a BPS Educator of the Year from TechBoston Academy, Jose Ruiz, of the Latino Law Enforcement Group (LLEGO), and Leslie Ann Milton, a member of the Mildred Avenue Senior Drop-in.
During the back-and-forth session, adults from the BGCB said having intergenerational dialogue helps young people avoid making the same mistakes as the older generation. Suggestions also included investing money wisely and buying real estate whenever possible.
