Together, we build strong, affordable housing and vibrant, prosperous neighborhoods.
Join us on Wednesday, May 20, at Community, Urban Edge's annual celebration of our work to build high-quality affordable housing and create vibrant, prosperous neighborhoods in Boston.
Honoring Turahn Dorsey, Eastern Bank Foundation
Community is an unforgettable evening of celebration, culture, and purpose—bringing together leaders, advocates, and supporters for a powerful night celebrating Urban Edge and the transformative impact of affordable housing.
Guests will experience an energetic atmosphere filled with live entertainment, exceptional cuisine, and an open bar featuring handcrafted specialty cocktails, all while celebrating the strength and resilience of our communities at a time when affordable housing matters more than ever.
The evening will feature an inspiring conversation with influential leaders from the housing, policy, and financial sectors exploring the critical connection between housing stability and wealth building—and why equitable access to housing is essential to creating thriving communities and economic opportunity.
The conversation will include Dr. Karilyn Crockett of MIT, Ben Forman of MassINC, this year’s honoree Turahn Dorsey, and Urban Edge’s Emilio Dorcely, moderated by MassHousing CEO Chrystal Kornegay. Together, they will share bold ideas, personal insights, and a vision for a stronger, more equitable future.
The evening’s program will be hosted by three-time Boston Music Award-winning spoken word artist Amanda Shea, whose dynamic voice and artistry will bring energy and inspiration to the celebration.
The Celebration Continues: The After Party
Keep the momentum going with live music, dancing, and an electrifying performance by The YAK Band.
Business / Dressy Attire
Join us for a joyful and inspiring evening celebrating community, connection, and the power of coming together to create lasting impact.
—JOIN US MAY 20 at GRACE BY NIA.
Event Produced by AJ Events
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Grace by Nia, 60 Seaport Blvd., Seaport Boston
6:00 PM
Community’s Host Emcee
Amanda Shea
QUESTIONS?
Contact our event office, AJ Events at 617-267-2244 or email AJ Williams at aj@ajwevents.com
Get to know our Peter Lee Community Builder Award Honoree
Turahn Dorsey
Eastern Bank Foundation President & Chief Executive Officer
Rahn is a researcher, policymaker, and strategist whose career has focused on systems change and civic innovation. At the Foundation, he plays a key leadership role advancing approaches to economic mobility and inclusion, as well as guiding efforts on measurement, evaluation, and learning. As a strategic grantmaker, he is helping the team make meaningful investments across all our strategy areas.
Prior to joining Eastern, Rahn served as the Chief of Education for the City of Boston, having worked as part of Mayor Martin J. Walsh’s cabinet from September 2014 to November 2018. He spent the first half of his career at Abt Associates as a senior researcher and at the Barr Foundation serving as its first Evaluation Director and a Senior Program Officer in Education. Rahn is also the current board chair at the Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology.
Betty Greene Resident Leader Award
Odell Robinson
Youth Mentor
Ron Hafer Urban Edge Employee of the Year
Angel Padilla
Community Engagement Officer
We Build
Betty Greene Apartments, located in the heart of Jackson Square
In 2025, nearly 80 first-time homebuyers were created
Who We Are
Urban Edge is a nonprofit community development organization committed to building strong, thriving neighborhoods. For more than 50 years, we have developed quality affordable housing, guided families toward homeownership and financial stability, and empowered residents to drive community change. Headquartered at the crossroads of Boston's Latin Quarter and historic Black neighborhood of Jackson Square, we continue to foster prosperity and opportunity for all.
Funds raised through Community will support our work advancing economic justice, family wealth-building, anti-displacement, and advocacy and engagement that is deeply rooted in community—all while expanding access to affordable housing. Since 1974, we have built more than 1,500 affordable homes, helped thousands of families achieve homeownership for the first time, prevented countless foreclosures, and fostered generations of resident leaders dedicated to keeping their neighborhoods vibrant and resilient.
In 2025, thanks to our Community supporters, Urban Edge provided housing and support services to nearly 1,500 low- and moderate-income households, and more than 3,500 residents. We made significant progress in building new affordable homes in Boston and enhanced the financial stability of hundreds of families. Here are some of the things we achieved:
○ Graduated more than 500 households from our First Time Homebuyer Class, equipping families with the tools to purchase and sustain homeownership.
○ Supported nearly 80 families become first-time homebuyers -- including 8 households who transitioned out of Urban Edge properties.
○ Provided free tax preparation assistance to more than 600 families, returning more than $1M back into our community.
○ Opened Betty Greene Apartments, a beautiful, 65-unit, 100% affordable, sustainable, and transit-oriented development in Jackson Square. We continue to advance the development of affordable homes with more than 500 units in our development pipeline.
○ Distributed essential resources to more than 1,500 families, including backpacks filled with school supplies, Thanksgiving meals, holiday toys for children, grocery gift cards, and utility assistance.
We help residents and clients reach their goals and engage in their community
Urban Edge is dedicated to strengthening communities and families. Together, we build affordable housing and vibrant, prosperous neighborhoods.
Invest in the neighborhoods we serve: Roxbury, Jamaica Plain, Dorchester, and Mattapan.
2025 COMMUNITY EVENT PHOTOS
Thank you to our 2026 sponsors
COMMUNITY SPONSORS
PETER MUNKENBECK and
RENATA von TSCHARNER
BRUCE EHRLICH CONSULTING
ADVOCATE SPONSORS
PARTNER SPONSORS
JOHANNA (JOEY) SMITH
ALL IN! SPONSORS
HAVE QUESTIONS? let’s chat.
Contact us.
Have questions about tickets, sponsor opportunities, or the overall experience? Contact our event office, AJ Events. We will be happy to answer any of your questions or fill out the form above and we will respond within 24 hours.
AJ Events / 617-267-2244
Event Team
AJ Williams, Event Producer
Phone: 617-267-2244 | Mobile: 617-510-8004
Questions About Urban Edge?
Contact
Jessica Williamson, Director of Resource Development
Phone: 617-989-9363 | Mobile: 929-434-3510