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FRUSTRATED RESIDENTS SAY THE

MAYOR OF SPRINGFIELD IS NO LONGER

WELCOME IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY!

Springfield resident Charles Stokes Responding to the concerns of Black
responded to the mayor with, "If residents, Commissioner Clapprood
you're sick and tired, think of this offers “I realize I've been at
mother who lost her child and the community meetings before when
police have yet to solve the crime.” tempers run high and somebody
Like many Black residents, Stokes takes the whole thing over on their
goesontosay“I'mtiredofthemayor side,ontheirpoint,andtheygetvery
withthisagendaofalwayswantingto vocal and frustrated. So, it's usually
lock us up, not talking about mental better for us to step aside and let
health, not talking about poor them vent their frustrations.”
spiritual health. We're not talking Ironically in December of 2020,
about young people in our Clapproodatapubliczoomforumon
community.” RaceRelationsinregardstotheDOJ
report denies that systemic racism
Springfield resident Andrew Keaton exists within the Springfield Police
told the Metro Record that the Gun Department. Clapprood stated “If I
Violence Commission has been in saw an issue or a problem that I saw
effectforoverayear–themayorhas or thought was systemic…I don’t see
ByHalisiMoyo membersreportedhearinggunshots victims (Black & Latino) needing to been absent and silent. Meanwhile systemic racism in the department.
intheneighborhood. take responsibility; and the three people have died over the last You’regonnahavesomeofficerswith
On Saturday, March 27th, members community should consider fewdaysandthemayorhasnological someprejudices.”
of the predominantly White Things took a turn when the mayor marching on the district court response. Keaton says he finds it
McKnight Neighborhood Council was interrupted during his speech. because the courts continue to ironic that the mayor all of a sudden City CouncilorTracye Whitfield says,
called a press conference with The Mayor, invited to answer release individuals he referred to as has answers for this particular group “regardless of who said what or why,
Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno questions and address the issue of “repeat offenders.” “But I'm sick and butnotforothersthathaverequested the Mayor and Commissioner have
and Police Commissioner Cheryl gun violence and recent shootings, tired of the disrespect,” Springfield an audience. Keaton says, “he is tostandandlistenandnotwalkaway
Clapprood to address gang violence reportedly began to recite the MayorDomenicSarnosaid. supposed to be the people’s mayor, and disregard residents. This is the
on city streets, after one of their prepared and often repeated yet he only responds to certain jobthatwe,aselectedofficialssigned
statement about parents of the demographics.” upfor. Continued on Page 2

Association of Black Business & Professionals Springfield Strain LLC Proposes

Offers Grants For Springfield Black Businesses Recreational Marijuana

Affected By COVID-19 Dispensary in Springfield

Early last year I was shopping in COVID-19 pandemic to help which have some of the highest
the Eastfield Mall. A new maintain operations and populations of Black residents.
restaurant had opened in the employment. Additionally, these
food court, a black-owned soul neighborhoods have been
food restaurant. With every new In 2015, the Baker-Polito among the hardest hit by the
black business that opens, it’s Administration launched the pandemic.
the realization of someone’s Urban Agenda Grant Program
dream. An opportunity for to promote “economic vitality” In addition to the business grant
employment and upward in urban neighborhoods and the funds for black businesses
mobility. I went back this week, Administration recently ($70,000 in total), the program
the location was no longer announced continued funding also provides funds to help
there. Another possible victim of the program as part of disadvantaged Black and Brown
of COVID-19 that is not economic recovery due to the students through internship
captured in the numbers pandemic. Per a recent press stipends ($10,000 in total). Springfield, MA – Springfield Chief Procurement Officer for
broadcast on the news. release from the Baker-Polito Strain LLC, a minority-led the City of Springfield,
Administration, the program is The ABBP is a Springfield, MA corporation, has proposed a investors, the Board of
A report by the National Bureau designed to recognize “that based non-profit organization 2.500-square-foot adult Directors and construction
of Economic Research found urban centers face unique with the mission to promote and recreational marijuana contractors are all minorities.
that 41% of black-owned economic and quality of life sustain black businesses, dispensary at 711 Boston Rd.
businesses have closed challenges, and that the path to professionals, programs and (lower level) in Springfield's Corbin said, "In my professional
permanently due to the success lies in tapping into the initiatives in the areas and Pine Point Neighborhood. experience, this may well be a
pandemic, compared to just 17% unique local assets that they markets that we serve through Springfield Strain has met all first."
of white-owned businesses. already possess, rather than in networking, advocacy, and the criteria set forth by the
While many will indicate that one-size-fits-all directives from education. The organization Massachusetts Cannabis In addition, all but one of the
the Federal government government”. hosts the largest listing of black Control Commission for a Board members are Springfield
provided PPP loans to help business in the Greater social/equity empowerment residents.
businesses and The City of The Association of Black Springfield/ Greater Hartford program dispensary with 100%
Springfield provided “Prime the Business and Professionals area in the region on its website. minority investors. The As part of a host community
Pump” funds. The numbers (ABBP), in collaboration with Additionally, the organization dispensary will be locally owned agreement, Springfield Strain
illustrate the stark fact that MassHire and The City of holds educational workshops and operated. would give 30% of its net profits
these funds, though well Springfield, has been awarded tailored towards black to the City of Springfield and 3%
received, have not been enough $100,000 to implement professionals and business- to the Pine Point Citizens
to sustain black businesses to programs to directly address owners monthly as well as other The dispensary will offer sales of Council. The organization also
the end of the pandemic. disparities in pandemic events to improve the black high-quality cannabis products plans to establish educational
recovery assistance in Black business and professional as well as product consultation trade programs for local
This gives rise to the need for an communities. This pandemic community. and education in a safe, secure students.
injection of capital specifically recovery program targets the environment.
tailored to black businesses in McKnight, Upper Hill, Pine For more information and The City of Springfield plans to
Springfield that have been Point, Bay, and Boston Road instructions on how to apply, According to Eddie Corbin, announce the marijuana
negatively impacted by the neighborhoods of Springfield please visit www.abbpofma.org. president of Springfield Strain companies selected for
Board of Directors and former negotiations on April 12