Boston Harbor Women of Color Coalition

Boston Harbor Women of Color Coalition BHWOCC is a group of women of color who work to get our communities engaged in green and blue spaces

It takes a village 💚
A day like this is a reflection of our collective care, made possible by the people who generously ...
08/07/2026

It takes a village 💚

A day like this is a reflection of our collective care, made possible by the people who generously share their time, talents, and expertise.

We do not do this work alone.

It is through our relationships, shared knowledge, and commitment to one another that we create spaces where our communities can thrive.

Sharing Expertise 🪺

Fellow BHWOCC member and Brookline Bird Club Volunteer Leader, Kat Hepburn, led attendees on an exploration of Boston Harbor’s birds and wildlife, helping participants learn about local species while making birding accessible and fun for all experience levels.

Sharing Experiences 🐚

Save the Harbor’s Youth Staff stewarded attendees to connect and engage with the waterfront through fishing and an interactive touch tank.

Sharing Creativity 💐

Sabrina’s Gardens guided attendees through a floral jewelry-making workshop, where they transformed natural materials into beautiful, wearable creations.

Sharing Stories 🔖

Vivien Li’s years of leadership and investment in Boston Harbor enriched attendees’ experience as she shared the history of Spectacle Island and the stories that have shaped its landscape.

Sharing Confidence 😁

Anna from Save the Harbor generously volunteered her time to provide complimentary professional headshots, helping attendees put their best foot forward in their professional journeys. A small resource that can make a lasting impact!

Sharing Community 🫂

The Barr Foundation invested in bringing people together through a day of connection, exploration, and belonging. We’d like to give a shoutout to Brittney Nichols as well for this opportunity!

Thank you to our partners, attendees, and everyone who helped make Netwalk in Nature possible. When we each share a little, we

Meet Our 2026 BHWOCC Annual Retreat Keynote Speaker: Shayla Bruce ✨“My relationship with the natural world has always be...
08/06/2026

Meet Our 2026 BHWOCC Annual Retreat Keynote Speaker: Shayla Bruce ✨

“My relationship with the natural world has always been complicated. A beautiful whirlwind of genuine joy, heartbreak, and childlike reverence—but also the birthplace of my defiance. In this keynote, I’ll share how this relationship has shaped my path to climate justice and invite you to consider a question: Who are we committed to being in this moment?”

We’re honored to welcome Shayla Bruce, Advocacy Director at the Boston Climate Action Network, as this year’s BHWOCC Annual Retreat keynote speaker 🌿

In Shayla’s own words:
“I have always had a deep, visceral connection to nature. Growing up in Dorchester, my mother often traveled outside the neighborhood so I could experience green spaces—an effort that quietly revealed the inequities shaping the community I called home. Over time, these experiences helped me understand that what I had witnessed was environmental injustice.

As I became more involved with local grassroots organizations like Alternatives for Community & Environment (ACE) and The Food Project, I began to understand how deeply connected the health of our environment is to the health of our communities. I found the language to describe what I had long sensed: Black and brown communities are forced to bear the greatest impacts of environmental harm. What began as care and curiosity for the natural world grew into a commitment to confront inequity.

That commitment led me to study Environmental Geological Science at Boston College, where I came to appreciate why protecting the planet is inseparable from protecting people. Today, I serve as Advocacy Director at the Boston Climate Action Network (BCAN), where I work alongside communities and partners to advance climate justice through organizing, advocacy, and collective action.”

We can’t wait to hear Shayla’s story at our Annual Retreat, we hope to see you there! 💚🌊

📅 Tuesday, August 25, 2026
📍 Cathleen Stone Island
⏰ 9:30 AM–5:00 PM
✨ Registration closes August 17. RSVP through the link in our bio!

A new headshot can open new doors.At BHWOCC, BGE and POCIE we believe in investing in ways to create opportunities, both...
07/31/2026

A new headshot can open new doors.

At BHWOCC, BGE and POCIE we believe in investing in ways to create opportunities, both big and small. That’s why attendees at Netwalk in Nature received complimentary professional headshots as part of a day intentionally designed to foster connection, confidence, and career growth.

Whether you’re refreshing your LinkedIn, applying for your next role, preparing to speak at an event, or celebrating a new chapter in your career, we’re proud to create spaces where professional development happens naturally—in community, in nature, and in ways that are both meaningful and fun.

Did you know? Nearly 40 attendees visited a Boston Harbor Island for the very first time through Netwalk in Nature! 🌊Tha...
07/27/2026

Did you know? Nearly 40 attendees visited a Boston Harbor Island for the very first time through Netwalk in Nature! 🌊

That’s exactly why we do this.

Netwalk in Nature is about more than spending a day outdoors—it’s about creating intentional opportunities for our community to experience the beauty of Boston Harbor, build meaningful relationships, and feel a sense of belonging in Boston’s blue and green spaces. 

This year’s event continues to remind us that a community doesn’t have to be built in a conference room. Sometimes it grows on a ferry ride across the harbor, while spotting birds along the shoreline, sharing lunch with someone new, or simply taking time to enjoy the outdoors together.

From professionals and students to families, children, and first-time visitors to Spectacle Island, it was inspiring to see so many people connect with nature—and with one another.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make this day so special. We hope you left with new connections, fresh ideas, meaningful memories, and a renewed sense of community.

We look forward to seeing you all next year! 🌿

Did you know? Boston is taking a major step toward protecting its waterfront, neighborhoods, and communities from the im...
07/24/2026

Did you know? Boston is taking a major step toward protecting its waterfront, neighborhoods, and communities from the impacts of coastal flooding and sea level rise through the Coastal Storm Risk Management (CSRM) Draft Study.

At the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Coastal Resilience Press Conference, community leaders, advocates, and public officials came together to discuss what this study really means: protecting people, strengthening our neighborhoods, and ensuring community voices help shape the future of Boston’s waterfront.

Now, it’s your turn to be part of the conversation.
📢 Beginning July 24 through September 18, there will be several opportunities to learn more about the Draft Study, attend community meetings and webinars, and submit public comments. Your feedback doesn’t need to be a formal letter—your lived experiences, concerns, and ideas are valuable and can help shape the future of climate resilience in Boston.

Swipe through to hear directly from community leaders, advocates, and public officials on why this moment matters—and how you can help shape a more resilient Boston. 🌊💜

City of Boston Mayor Michelle Wu 吳埭 US Army Corps of Engineers, HQ

 

Some experiences are best described by the people who lived them💜Our Annual Retreat is more than a day on the island—it’...
07/22/2026

Some experiences are best described by the people who lived them💜

Our Annual Retreat is more than a day on the island—it’s a space where women of color come together to build community, grow as leaders, reconnect with nature, and leave feeling inspired, supported, and seen.

This love letter is made up of the voices of the women who have helped shape this tradition over the years. Their words remind us why we gather, why we return, and why this community continues to grow.
Now it’s your turn to be part of the story.

Join us for our Sixth Annual Retreat on Tuesday, August 25 at Cathleen Stone Island. ✨

RSVP through the link in our bio—we’d love to share the love with you 🫶🏾

07/17/2026

“Do y’all feel this?”

That simple question, asked during a Zoom call in 2021 between four Black women leaders on Boston’s waterfront, sparked what would become the Boston Harbor Women of Color Coalition.

In this special feature on WCVB’s CityLine, BHWOCC Co-Founder Maya Smith shares the story behind our founding, the power of community, and how we’ve grown from a retreat of 30 women to a network of 285+ members leading change across green and blue spaces.

As Maya says, “We’re building up that ladder, and we’re bringing everybody up with us.” 

Thank you to WCVB CityLine for helping us share our story and the importance of creating more inclusive, equitable outdoor spaces.

🎥 Watch the full interview at the link in our bio.

Join us for our Virtual BHWOCC Member Meet & Greet—a welcoming space to connect with fellow women of color in green and ...
07/17/2026

Join us for our Virtual BHWOCC Member Meet & Greet—a welcoming space to connect with fellow women of color in green and blue spaces, learn more about BHWOCC, and help shape the future of our community.

Whether you’re a new member looking to get connected or a returning member eager to share your experiences, we’d love to have you join us. Together, we’ll build meaningful relationships, explore ways to get involved, and strengthen our coalition through our core value of mutuality.

📅 Wednesday, August 5, 2026
⏰ 6:30–7:30 PM
💻 Zoom (link sent upon registration)

💚 Register at the link in our bio!

Your first choice says more than you think... 👀Pick an emoji, follow the path, and let us know where you ended up!Oh… lo...
07/15/2026

Your first choice says more than you think... 👀

Pick an emoji, follow the path, and let us know where you ended up!

Oh… looks like we’ll see you at Netwalk in Nature ✨

Netwalk in Nature
📅 Sunday, July 19
🕙 10:00 AM–2:00 PM
📍 Spectacle Island (Meet at Rowe’s Wharf) 

RSVP with the link in our bio!

There isn’t just one way to experience Netwalk in Nature—and that’s exactly the point 🌿Whether you’re looking to grow yo...
07/10/2026

There isn’t just one way to experience Netwalk in Nature—and that’s exactly the point 🌿

Whether you’re looking to grow your network, discover new career opportunities, spend time outdoors with family, or simply enjoy a summer day on Spectacle Island, your adventure is yours to create.

No matter which path you choose, you’ll find community, connection, and a chance to experience Boston Harbor in a whole new way.

📅 Sunday, July 19
🕙 9:30 AM–2:00 PM
📍 Spectacle Island
✨ Friends, family, loved ones, and allies are welcome!
🔗 RSVP at the link in our bio.

Address

212 Northern Avenue
Boston, MA
02110

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