On Friday, Boston Globe business columnist Shirley Leung called in to Boston Public Radio and talked about the challenges of Boston having multiple funds to address the city's deep-rooted racial inequality.
Specifically, Leung criticized Mayor Marty Walsh for creating the new Boston Racial Equity Fund, rather than working alongside the leaders behind the also newly-established New Commonwealth Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund, or the Black Economic Council of Massachusetts, otherwise known as BECMA.
"My issue with that is … why didn’t they join forces with the Black and Brown leaders?” she asked.
Leung explained how the New Commonwealth Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund was founded by a group of 19 local Black and Brown business executives, who wanted to apply their financial capital towards racial justice in a way that the city has so far been unable to do.
"They wanted to put in some of their own money, but they also wanted to play a leadership role, and their thinking was, ‘It is time for us, it is our moment to lead on fighting systemic racism. Everybody else has had their chance and it hasn’t worked, so let’s try something different this time,’” she said.
Despite her qualms, Leung said she was optimistic that the differing groups will be able to work together.
"I’m hopeful that between BECMA, the city, and also the New Commonwealth fund, they will find a way to work together and not be in conflict. I think now that I’ve raised this issue, [and] others have raised this issue, I think that everybody’s well aware that they’re stronger working together than separately," she said.
