Image courtesy of The Boston Globe. Damian Strohmeyer / The New York Times
I recently got the opportunity through the Ash Center at the Harvard Kennedy School to write a political memoir with Joe Curtatone, former Mayor of Somerville, Massachusetts. Joe and I told the story of one of the most remarkable urban renaissances in recent American history.
During Joe’s nearly two decades in office, Somerville transformed from a place derided by Bostonians as “Slumerville” into a thriving city with vibrant neighborhoods, new metro lines, a diverse population, and liberal policies of inclusion.
The Ash Center focuses on civic engagement — how we can get more Americans involved in the democratic process from all political stripes, to make our democracy more robust and productive. As Joe tells it, the change in Somerville never would have happened without the activists, immigrants, teachers, and everyday people who powered it.
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