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(A) There shall be established in the city a Task Force, to be known as the Task Force on the Study on City of Boston Reparations to the Descendants of formerly enslaved Black people.
(B) (1) The Task Force’s work shall include several phases, and the Task Force shall make meaningful efforts to include community engagement with residents and community members in each phase. The city shall engage additional scholars and experts, as necessary, to support the Task Force during each phase:
(a) Phase 1: Research and document the city’s role in and historical ties to the African slave trade and the institution and legacies of slavery. Phase 1 shall end no later than June 30, 2023 with the issuance of a written report;
(b) Phase 2: Assess the city’s actions to date to address continued impacts of enslavement. Phase 2 will conclude no later than December 31, 2023 with the issuance of a written report; and
(c) Phase 3: Make final recommendations to the city for truth, reconciliation and reparations addressing the city’s involvement with the African slave trade. This phase shall be completed no later than June 30, 2024 with a written report.
(2) To support any recommendations the report shall include:
(a) The role Boston played in supporting the institution of slavery;
(b) Forms of discrimination and racism in the public and private sectors against freed slaves and their descendants;
(c) The persistent, systemic and lingering negative effects of slavery on Boston residents who are the descendants of African slaves; and
(d) Any other areas required to fulfill the purpose of the task force herein described.
(3) In addition, the report shall include an implementation plan for actions to begin no later than October 1, 2024. If the task force is unable to meet this timeline, they must notify the Mayor in writing requesting to extend the phases.
(CBC 1985 15-13.1; Ord. 2022 c. 12)
(A) Membership. The Mayor shall appoint no fewer than five members, who have a connection to and understanding of the descendants of formerly enslaved Black people in the United States. The composition of the Task Force shall include but not be limited to people who belong to the following categories: community organizers, research and policy experts, community elders (defined as persons 60 years and older), a youth voice, historians or persons with historical expertise and academics or persons with academic and institutional knowledge. The Mayor shall designate a Chair from among the Task Force members. The Task Force will be an independent body and be staffed by a City Department or staff members designated by the Mayor.
(B) Terms. Unless determined by the Mayor, members shall serve no later than December 31, 2024. Members shall be appointed by the Mayor. Any vacancy in the Task Force shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment was made. All records of the Task Force shall be public under M.G.L. Chapter 66, Section 10, the commonwealth’s Public Records Law, unless an exemption under M.G.L. Chapter 4, Section 7 unless otherwise determined.
(C) Positions. Additional Task Force positions may be added as necessary by the Chair.
(D) Compensation. The members of the Task Force will receive stipends as determined by the Mayor commensurate with their duties and/or expenses. Any consultant engaged to support the Task Force in achieving its goals shall be compensated through the Mayor’s Office, in accordance with all city policies.
(CBC 1985 15-13.2; Ord. 2022 c. 12)
The Task Force shall:
(A) In partnership with additional scholars and experts, research and document the city’s role in and historical ties to the slave trade and the institution and legacies of slavery;
(B) Assess the city’s actions to date to address continued impacts;
(C) Develop a community engagement process to openly and directly share the findings and information with residents and community members; and
(D) Collaborate with the administration and Boston City Council to recommend next steps for truth, reconciliation and reparations addressing the city’s historical involvement.
(CBC 1985 15-13.3; Ord. 2022 c. 12)