Boston Celebrates Immigrant Heritage Month wiht City of Belonging Festival
Boston is set to celebrate Immigrant Heritage Month with the annual City of Belonging Festival, a month-long series of community events designed to honor, uplift, and support the city’s diverse immigrant communities. Launched by the Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement (MOIA), the festival aims to foster a sense of belonging and connection throughout Boston.
“You Belong Here” Banner Unveiling
The festival kicks off with the unveiling of the “You Belong Here” banners at City Hall’s Mezzanine Gallery. The launch event, scheduled for Wednesday, May 21, at 1 p.m., will feature food, photos, and a speaking program. Among the speakers is Boston’s new Poet Laureate, Emmanuel Oppong-yeboah. The public is invited to attend, and registration is available here.
Did you know? The “You Belong Here” campaign is designed to integrate the goals of creating a more inclusive Boston while addressing pressing challenges related to immigration.
these large-format banners will remain in the Mezzanine until July 19, after which they will embark on a “you Belong Here” banner tour, spreading their message of belonging to various locations across the city for the remainder of 2025. MOIA welcomes community requests to display the banners.
Statements from City Leaders
Mayor Michelle wu emphasized the critical role of immigrant communities in Boston:
Our immigrant families and communities play a critical role in making Boston more welcoming, resilient, and joyful.Mayor michelle Wu
She added that MOIA’s City of Belonging initiative supports the city’s efforts to ensure all residents feel connected to their communities and that Boston is a home for everyone.
Chief of Equity and Inclusion, Mariangely Solis Cervera, highlighted the importance of connection and party:
At a time when immigrant communities face uncertainty across the nation, Boston is choosing connection, compassion, and celebration. The City of Belonging Festival reminds us that resilience grows stronger when we stand together, across cultures and languages.Chief of Equity and Inclusion, Mariangely Solis Cervera
Year of Belonging and Community investment
MOIA has designated 2025 as the “Year of Belonging” with the “You Belong Here” campaign. This initiative supports immigrant communities through grants, empowers resilience through awareness campaigns, and inspires action through various events.
Pro Tip: The “You Belong Here” campaign prioritizes diversity, equity, and social cohesion, sharing it’s message in the city’s 12 main languages.
Monique Tú Nguyen, Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement, underscored the city’s commitment to inclusivity:
The celebration of all people is integral to the heart of the City of Boston. Through partnerships with local nonprofits with over $2 million in grant investment, we’re building a City of Belonging where every resident feels connected to Boston and each other. Together, we’re creating spaces where immigrants from all backgrounds can thrive, contribute, and feel truly at home in our neighborhoods. we’re excited to continue sharing our message of belonging and celebrating our diverse city all month with the city of Belonging Festival.Monique Tú Nguyen, executive Director of the Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement
Festival Events
MOIA will host free events for the City of belonging Festival, including:
- May 29 – PRIDE Immigrant Panel in collaboration with MOLA
- June 12 – Community concert in collaboration with Sofar Sounds
- June 29 – Yoga and dance party in collaboration with DayBreaker
- Self-reliant community-lead events sponsored or endorsed by MOIA
A Word from the Poet Laureate
Boston Poet Laureate Emmanuel Oppong-Yeboah expressed gratitude for the work of his predecessors:
In so much of life,I feel a profound sense of indebtedness to those who have done the work before me. No less so here. Boston’s two most recent poet laureates, Porsha Olayiwola and Danielle Georges, have created so much space in this city for the flourishing of poetry and poets, and I am grateful to them and eager to expand on their work.Boston Poet Laureate Emmanuel Oppong-Yeboah
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the City of Belonging Festival?
It is a month-long celebration of Immigrant Heritage Month with community events centered around the immigrant experience in Boston.
How can I attend the “You Belong Here” banner unveiling?
Register here to attend the event on May 21 at 1 p.m. at City Hall’s Mezzanine Gallery.
Where will the “You Belong Here” banners be displayed?
Initially at City Hall’s Mezzanine Gallery until July 19, then at various locations across the city for the remainder of 2025.
About MOIA
The Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement (MOIA) aims to strengthen immigrants’ ability to participate fully and equitably in Boston’s economic,civic,social,and cultural life. For more information, visit boston.gov/immigrants. For inquiries, contact Bessie King at bessie.king@boston.gov.
About Emmanuel Oppong-yeboah
Emmanuel Oppong-Yeboah is a Ghanaian American poet, editor, and educator based in Boston.He is the school librarian at the Joseph Lee School in Dorchester and has served as a teaching artist at various organizations. He hosts an open mic and slam on the 1st and 3rd Friday of every month at Just Book-ish Bookstore in fields Corner.
