Joan Cromwell

Joan Cromwell, president Chelsea Black Community (CBC)–Six generations of my mother’s family, the Smiths, have lived in Chelsea.What made up the Black population then was very big families. The CBC was founded in 2013 because Blacks that lived in Chelsea and worked in Chelsea felt like they were not always sitting at the table for decision-making. They felt somewhat marginalized, that they were not being seen or heard in a Brown community that was majority Latino. The mission of the CBC is to be inclusive,to be all our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers. It doesn’t mean just Black people;it means all people of Chelsea, folks that need to be heard, folks that need to be represented. And CBC feels like if we show up, then we’re showing up for everyone and we’re bringing everyone along with us. It’s a civic obligation

Darlene Devita, Joan Cromwell, 2024. Digital Photograph. ©Darlene Devita. All rights reserved.