The 2023 Fierce Urgency of Now Festival:
Convene. Connect. Create Impact.
August 9, 2023 Sherline Heriveaux, Senior Marketing Manager, Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce
The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and City Awake are proud to present the 6th annual Fierce Urgency of Now Festival, named in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King’s historic march on Washington for jobs and freedom. In his speech, Dr. King spoke of the “fierce urgency of now” – a powerful plea for immediate and lasting change against racial injustice. The words remain a resounding call to action today.
This September, the festival will be a movement and gathering, bringing people together in person and virtually over the 5-day event. Whether you are a first-timer or a veteran, here are 10 reasons why the 2023 Fierce Urgency of Now Festival is the place to connect with like-minded individuals and work together to transform the future.
Answer Dr. King’s Call to Action
The influence of Dr. King’s leadership is still felt in the ongoing fight for social justice today. The Fierce Urgency of Now Festival is the perfect platform for individuals committed to creating a more equitable future for all. In 2022, Brandon P. Fleming, an author, acclaimed educator, and powerful orator, headlined the opening ceremony of the festival and sparked conversations in the media across the country. Attend the Opening Ceremony this year and hear from panelists who are past Ten Outstanding Young Leaders Honorees and engage with our city’s business pioneers and other thought leaders who strive to realize Dr. King’s ambition to make a lasting impact and further his legacy of leading for change.
Meet Emerging Leaders
Whether they have graduated from the Boston’s Future Leaders Program or are outstanding young professionals, emerging leaders are pivotal to a better future. This year, the festival offers events like “Community Servings Young Leaders Volunteer Shift and Cocktail Hour” and “Emerging Entrepreneurs in Boston” to center up-and-coming leaders and empower younger generations to own their voice while educating others.
Center Voices and Identities
Studies have shown that having deeper, more transparent conversation improves wellbeing. The Fierce Urgency of Now Festival designs events to spotlight diverse communities and foster space for meaningful dialogue. This year, events such as “Shaping a Better World Together: A discussion on building community infrastructure” are sure to continue the conversation on the importance of BIPOC inclusion when it comes to the environment. This event in particular is a networking opportunity for young professionals and community members with an interest in the environment. There will also be a panel discussion on what types of spaces and infrastructure BIPOC communities need, how they can be built and supported, and what challenges exist in creating more of them.
Learn How to Take Social Action
Social action refers to citizens uniting to tackle issues, support others, and improve their community. It requires people to invest time and resources for the common good through volunteering and community organizing. This year, join the “Mission to Motion: Civic Engagement” event to learn how to take social action, increase self-efficacy, and create longstanding change that positively impacts the surrounding community.
Are you a young professional who is passionate about our region and city, and about your ability to help create change, positive impact, and a lasting legacy? If so, join this event to hear from panelists moderated by GBH “Morning Edition” co-host, Paris Alston, on leaders shaping civic engagement and how they merge their “day jobs” with their personal commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion, to both quietly and loudly create forward motion for the Boston area and beyond.
Celebrate Community
The Fierce Urgency of Now Festival provides 30+ events hosted by organizations and businesses across Greater Boston. The festival’s objective is to bring Boston’s diverse young professionals together with business leaders, organizations, and their peers to build connections, advance careers, and ignite positive change. Young professionals of varying identities and cultures are encouraged to connect, thrive, and feel included in the greater community. Events such as the “Carribean Rum & Food Festival” and closing ceremony, “One Day Only Fest,” celebrate community and encourage the championing of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Support BIPOC, Women-Owned, Small Businesses
With the festival being a decentralized, 5-day affair with 30+ events, attendees get a chance to explore the city and discover and support BIPOC, women-owned, small businesses. Creating impact means change at every level, and that includes the power of purchase and funding. Due to less than 50% of businesses being owned by BIPOC and women, the support of patrons can lead to these businesses expanding, increased employment rates, and overall longevity. This year, you can join in on the festivities all while contributing to the success of businesses that need your support the most. Interested in starting a business of your own? The “From Idea to Reality: How to Monetize Your Passion” event led by Small Business Strong can give you tools and tips to get started.
Strategically Connect With Others
With dozens of events hosted by Greater Boston organizations and businesses, the festival presents convenient access for cross-industry and strategic networking. College students and people in search of new opportunities can join the “STEM Career Pathways for Professionals of Color,” “Personal Branding for a Professional Breakthrough,” or “Career Connect: Live Q&A with Harvard HR Experts + Networking Mixer” events to meet corporate leaders, local organizations, and other peers to build connections or get career advice for advancement. These valuable networking opportunities will allow you to enlist support from others who can help you in the pursuit of professional goals and in gaining new perspectives, ideas, and information.
Convene as a Changemaker
The City of Boston is known for top-tier universities and the best hospitals in the country. In the past year, Bostonians have elected the first Asian-American Mayor who was preceded by the first Black and female Mayor. Boston is a city of heart, grit, and rich history. The Fierce Urgency of Now Festival is an empowering opportunity for all Bostonians to convene as a community of changemakers. Events such as “Views, Vibes & Vision: Creating a Vibrant Downtown” and “The B in Cannabis” provide a place for people to unite and explore neighborhoods, support small businesses, contribute to important conversations, and connect with the people who make the city culturally wealthy, vibrant, and exciting.
Become a Positive Disruptor
Fierce Urgency of Now Festival attendees are individuals who transform spaces through positive impact. They are students, professionals, business owners, community leaders, and visionaries who consistently challenge social and organizational habits, uproot norms, and provide concrete solutions. The festival serves as a hub for education on social happenings, exchange of ideas, consumption of culture, and the gathering of leaders.
Better Boston’s Future
Boston’s future is in the hands of all of us. The Fierce Urgency of Now Festival serves as a blueprint for how Bostonians can continue to create immersive and diverse experiences that include all races, cultures, life experiences, and socioeconomic backgrounds. For an equitable and truly inclusive future, we all must do our part in fostering more intentional and strategic opportunities to celebrate diversity, effect positive change, and champion our city as the pioneering hub of excellence that it is.
The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and City Awake enthusiastically welcome all to the 6th annual Fierce Urgency of Now Festival. With 30+ events between September 12-16, get ready to connect and transform. Visit the official festival webpage and register for a variety of events today.
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