Mayor Michelle Wu Appoints Alexandra Valdez as Director of Cultural Affairs for Boston
By Day Kim
Mayor Michelle Wu announced the appointment of Alexandra Valdez as the director of the newly established Office of Cultural Affairs for the City of Boston, marking a significant restructuring within City Hall aimed at better serving and supporting Boston’s diverse cultural communities.
Mayor Michelle Wu said she looks forward to Valdez’s leadership in supporting “diverse communities across our city’s neighborhoods.”
“Alexandra’s service and leadership in our city have already made a huge impact across so many City departments and communities,” Wu said. “Ensuring all of Boston’s communities are connected to city services and resources is critical in making Boston the best city for families.”
Last year, City Councilor Julia Mejia sponsored an ordinance to create the Office of Cultural Affairs, a new entity within the City’s Equity & Inclusion Cabinet.
The new Office of Cultural Affairs will merge the cultural community liaison role and the Office of Neighborhood Services. . Cultural advisors within the office will collaborate with neighborhood liaisons to enhance connectivity among communities and City Hall, support cultural organizations and foster civic engagement.
The city’s website states that Mariangely Solis Cervera, chief of Equity & Inclusion, said
“We’re making sure every Bostonian, regardless of cultural identity, feels at home in our City. I’m looking forward to this team’s work, and there is no one better than Alexandra Valdez to lead this charge. Welcome to the team, Alex!”
City Councilor Julia Mejia said in an interview that she is thrilled about the new office led by Valdez.
“With her visionary leadership and strategic planning, we are confident that the office will successfully craft policies, protocols, and programs to elevate the social, emotional, and financial prosperity of our vibrant and diverse communities.”
Valdez brings over a decade of leadership experience, including her recent role as the Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Women’s Advancement, according to a city press release.
“I am honored to serve as the Director of Cultural Affairs for the City of Boston,” said Alexandra Valdez, in a city press release. “I am passionate about creating inclusive spaces where every resident feels a sense of belonging, and I look forward to working collaboratively with our communities to make Boston a vibrant and culturally rich city for all.”
The Cultural Affairs team will partner with community leaders and cultural organizations to curate events and initiatives celebrating Boston’s cultural diversity. Valdez will also focus on developing culturally competent programming, policy initiatives to support diverse cultural communities, and fostering a sense of belonging among residents.
The team includes cultural advisors for Cape Verdean, Haitian, Latino, and Vietnamese communities. A search for a Caribbean community liaison is underway.
One of the office’s first initiatives is the Cultural Affairs Community Building Mini-Grant Program. This program offers grants ranging from $500 to $5,000 to support nonprofit organizations in building community and civic engagement among traditionally underserved groups. The deadline to apply is Wednesday, June 12 at 5 p.m.
For more information on how to apply and what grant funding can be used for, visit the Office of Cultural Affairs website at https://www.boston.gov/news/mayor-michelle-wu-appoints-alexandra-valdez-director-cultural-affairs-city-boston.
