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          This Women's Network event will offer an insightful conversation with Dr. Melissa Gilliam, the 11th President of Boston University and both the first woman and the first Black woman to lead the institution since its founding in 1869.

          06/18/2025

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          BIMA

          BIMA (the Boston Interactive Media Association) serves a vibrant community of like-minded professionals from agencies, brands, publishers, and ad-tech companies with business interests in the New England market.

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          Women’s Network

          For over 30 years, the Chamber’s Women’s Network has connected female professionals of all background and career levels. Today, our Women’s Network is the largest in New England, strengthening the professional networks of women each year.

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          Massachusetts Apprentice Network

          The Massachusetts Apprentice Network convenes employers, training providers, and talent sources interested in developing and implementing apprenticeship programs in occupations across industries and statewide in fields such as tech, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, financial services, and more.

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          We are developing an ecosystem of corporations and partners with the influence and buying power to transform economic inclusion for minority business enterprises (MBEs).

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Boston Chamber
  • Events
        • Events

          • Overview
          • Events Calendar
          • Chamber Awards
          • New Chamber Event Series
        • ...
          Women's Network
          A Fireside Chat with Dr. Melissa Gilliam, Boston University

          This Women's Network event will offer an insightful conversation with Dr. Melissa Gilliam, the 11th President of Boston University and both the first woman and the first Black woman to lead the institution since its founding in 1869.

          06/18/2025

          11:30am - 1:00pm

          Fairmont Copley Plaza

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Special Event
          Talent and Competitiveness in 2025: Finding Opportunity in Uncertain Times

          Join the Chamber and Massachusetts Business Roundtable for a deep dive into employer insights, featuring analysis from McKinsey and a panel of experts.

          06/26/2025

          11:00am - 12:00pm

          Virtual

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Pacesetters
          Doing Business with Mass General Brigham

          Join us for our installment of the Pacesetters Doing Business series featuring Mass General Brigham on June 26, 2025.

          06/26/2025

          1:00pm - 2:00pm

          Virtual

          arrow-go
          Read More
  • Learning & Development
        • Learning & Development

          • Overview
          • Call for Nominations
          • Insights
        • Transformational DEI Certificate

          This program is in redevelopment. Click this page for DEI resources.

          Read More
          Women’s Leadership Program

          Our Women’s Leadership Program enables you to take your leadership to the next level by arming you with the most in-demand leadership toolkit.

          Read More
          Boston’s Future Leaders

          Our Boston’s Future Leaders (BFL) program provides emerging leaders with a socially conscious and civically engaged leadership toolkit, as well as the opportunity to apply their knowledge through experiential assignments.

          Read More
          Authentic Professionalism for Early Career Professionals

          Join us on June 12 for a highly interactive virtual workshop with Strategic Career & Leadership Coach Carole-Ann Penney.

          Read More
  • Economic Inclusion
        • Economic Inclusion

          • Overview
          • Pacesetters
          • Resources
        • ...
          Economic Inclusion
          City Awake

          City Awake empowers young professionals in a variety of ways that encourages these rising leaders to stay invested in the region’s future success.

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Economic Inclusion
          Pacesetters

          We are developing an ecosystem of corporations and partners with the influence and buying power to transform economic inclusion for minority business enterprises (MBEs).

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Small Business
          Small Business

          Small businesses are the backbone of the Boston economy. Learn more about the resources available through the Chamber.

          arrow-go
          Read More
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          • Leadership Councils
          • Amicus Advisory Board
        • GET INVOLVED IN OUR POLICY FOCUS AREAS

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          Read More
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          Read More
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          Read More
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          Read More
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          Read More
          Transportation
          Read More
  • Our Networks
        • GBCC’s Networks

          • Overview
        • OUR NETWORKS

          Small Business

          Small businesses are the backbone of the Boston economy. Learn more about the resources available through the Chamber.

          Read More
          City Awake

          City Awake empowers young professionals in a variety of ways that encourages these rising leaders to stay invested in the region’s future success.

          Read More
          BIMA

          BIMA (the Boston Interactive Media Association) serves a vibrant community of like-minded professionals from agencies, brands, publishers, and ad-tech companies with business interests in the New England market.

          Read More
          Women’s Network

          For over 30 years, the Chamber’s Women’s Network has connected female professionals of all background and career levels. Today, our Women’s Network is the largest in New England, strengthening the professional networks of women each year.

          Read More
          Massachusetts Apprentice Network

          The Massachusetts Apprentice Network convenes employers, training providers, and talent sources interested in developing and implementing apprenticeship programs in occupations across industries and statewide in fields such as tech, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, financial services, and more.

          Read More
          Pacesetters

          We are developing an ecosystem of corporations and partners with the influence and buying power to transform economic inclusion for minority business enterprises (MBEs).

          Read More
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Greater Boston Chamber & City Awake Announce 2022 Fierce Urgency of Now Festival

Featuring Brandon P. Fleming, Award-Winning Author of MISEDUCATED and Founder & CEO of The Veritas School

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Casey Baines [email protected]

September 13, 2022

BOSTON, MA- The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce (GBCC) and City Awake are pleased to announce the fifth annual Fierce Urgency of Now Festival, a four day festival that convenes diverse young professionals together with their peers, business leaders, and organizations to build connections, advance careers, and ignite positive change. This year, the festival will feature more than 30 virtual and in-person events from September 14 through September 17.

 

In 2018, the GBCC and City Awake launched the first Fierce Urgency of Now festival to highlight the voices of the next generation and to inspire action, answering the call to action posed by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s at the March on Washington: “We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism.”

 

The most recent national and global reckoning on systemic racism continues, and the Greater Boston region and the business community have a responsibility in transforming inequities into opportunity and abundance. The festival’s opening event on September 14 features Brandon P. Fleming, a nationally acclaimed educator, award-winning author of MISEDUCATED, former debate coach at Harvard University, and Founder & CEO of The Veritas School. Fleming, an at-risk youth turned award winning leader, will share his journey that continues to inspire millions around the world. This free event will convene 200 young professionals and their friends, colleagues, and allies at TD Garden’s 1928 Club for transformative networking and an inspiring keynote.

 

James E. Rooney, the President and CEO of the GBCC, describes the sustained impact of The Fierce Urgency of Now festival, “Since the festival’s launch, more than 10,000 people have attended the festival’s keynotes, events, and workshops. The convening power of this festival – and the empowering results of the transformative connections – makes Greater Boston’s future brighter. Ensuring that the next generation of diverse leaders find their community and career is critical to our region’s success.”

 

“Gillette is proud to be a partner again to help uplift City Awake’s mission to inspire the next generation in Boston. The Fierce Urgency of Now Festival is dynamic and energizing not only for the young professionals, but for everyone in the city looking to advance equity and amplify the voices of people of color,” said Gary Coombe, CEO, P&G Gillette.

 

“The Fierce Urgency of Now festival convenes and connects communities throughout Greater Boston, and the Barr Foundation is looking forward to supporting the festival again this year. We are proud to be champions of equity and partner with City Awake to advance the region so that every voice is uplifted and included,” said Kimberly Haskins, Barr’s Senior Program Officer for Sector Effectiveness.

 

“John Hancock’s partnership with City Awake and the Fierce Urgency of Now festival helps forge meaningful connections and advance equity for the region, furthering our commitment to driving inclusive economic opportunities to create a more even playing field for all. As we enter the fifth year of the festival, it is exciting to reflect on its continued impact not only for diverse young professionals, but also the future of Greater Boston,” said Annie Duong, US Lead, Community Investment, John Hancock.

 

The hybrid in-person and virtual 2022 Fierce Urgency of Now festival is supported by many, including Presenting Sponsors the Barr Foundation, John Hancock, and P&G Gillette; Platinum Sponsor T.D. Bank; and Gold Sponsor National Grid.

 

The festival’s 2022 event hosts represent a variety of industries and sectors, corporations, non-profits, and government entities:

  • Afrimerican Culture Initiative, Inc.
  • ALPFA
  • Asian Community Development Corporation
  • Big Sister Boston
  • Boston Debate League
  • Boston Harbor Now & AfroDesiaCity
  • Boston Impact Initiative
  • Boston Medical Center
  • Breaktime
  • Cannabis Control Commission
  • Chase Bank
  • Coalition for a Resilient & Inclusive Waterfront
  • Columbia Threadneedle Investments
  • Emerson College
  • Friends of the Public Park and Boston Parks & Recreation Department
  • Glasswing Ventures
  • Innovation Studio
  • KickBack Boston
  • Leadership Brainery
  • National African American Insurance Association
  • New England Aquarium
  • Proctor & Gamble
  • Soca Fusion
  • SPARK Boston
  • The Capital Network
  • The Castle Group
  • Young Nonprofit Professionals Network

 

About City Awake
City Awake empowers the next generation of Greater Boston leaders through programming that builds community and engages young professionals to collectively address the most pressing issues facing our region. Through this work, we deepen their connections to the broader business and civic communities and recognize their important contributions to our thriving economy. Learn more at CityAwake.org.

 

About the Greater Boston Chamber
We are the convener, voice and advocate of our region’s business community, committed to making Greater Boston the best place for all businesses and all people to thrive. We help our members and Greater Boston succeed by convening and connecting the business community; researching, developing and advocating for public policies that contribute to our region’s economic success; and providing comprehensive leadership development programs designed to grow strong business and civic leaders. Learn more at BostonChamber.com.

 

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