On Wednesday, September 3, 2025, Embrace Boston joined forces with the Black Economic Council of Massachusetts (BECMA) and NBC10 Boston to bring the city’s top two mayoral candidates—Mayor Michelle Wu and challenger Josh Kraft—into a live televised conversation about Boston’s future. The Final Word gave each candidate thirty minutes on stage to share their priorities and vision in advance of the election.
Imari Paris Jeffries, Ph.D., President & CEO of Embrace Boston, sat on the panel alongside BECMA’s Nicole Obi and NBC10’s Matt Prichard. Moderated by Latoyia Edwards, the discussion centered on issues that matter deeply to Boston residents: immigrant rights, housing, public history, and investment in arts and culture.
During the panel, Imari Paris Jeffries posed three pivotal questions to the candidates, addressing issues central to Boston’s future. Review the candidates’ answers below, summarized with timestamps:
Immigration: How will Boston safeguard immigrant communities amid growing national threats?
- 7:40 – Mayor Wu on Immigration: Wu emphasized Boston’s status as a safe and diverse city and detailed legal and policy measures to protect immigrant communities.
- 38:00 – Josh Kraft on Immigration: Kraft shared personal family stories and his opposition to mass deportation, highlighting the importance of supporting Boston’s immigrant population.
Public Memory: As Boston prepares for the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, how will the city ensure that its monuments and public spaces reflect the full breadth of its history?
- 20:40 – Mayor Wu on Public Spaces & Monuments: Wu discussed Boston’s preparations for the 250th anniversary, including task forces, public art initiatives, and the Unmonument project.
- 48:51 – Josh Kraft on Public Spaces & Monuments: Kraft proposed transforming Faneuil Hall into a cultural hub reflecting the city’s neighborhoods and diversity.
Arts & Culture: What steps will the city take to ensure equitable support for artists and cultural workers so that Boston’s creative communities can remain rooted here?
- 28:34 – Mayor Wu on Arts & Cultural Investment: Wu highlighted current city initiatives supporting artists, performance spaces, and community-based organizations.
- 56:19 – Josh Kraft on Arts & Cultural Investment: Kraft shared his vision for a cultural and economic corridor along Blue Hill Avenue, celebrating the African diaspora and fostering arts accessibility.
Watch the full debate here: