Massachusetts Gateway Cities include 26 mid-size municipalities that are home to more than a quarter of all Massachusetts residents and about 40% of the state's foreign-born populations. Established by the state Legislature in 2009, these former mill towns were imagined as mid-size economic hubs that provide a stepping stone — or gateway — to the American Dream.
The GBH News Equity & Justice Unit is leading a newsroom initiative focusing on these evolving communities, including reporting and community outreach. This includes hosting "listening sessions" in an effort we are calling, “26 in 26.”
Join GBH News at an upcoming listening session, or email us at equityandjustice@wgbh.org.
Monday, Nov. 9, 4 pm to 6 pm
Parlin Memorial Library, 410 Broadway St.
Everett
Monday, Nov. 9, 5 pm to 7 pm
CMAA Lowell, 465 school St.
Lowell
Thursday, Nov. 12, 4 pm to 6 pm
Idle Hands Craft Ales, 89 Commercial Street
Malden
Thursday, Nov. 19, 10 am to 12 pm
Main Street Gift & Cafe, 40 Main St.
Leominster
Gateway to prosperity: What’s next for Massachusetts’ Gateway Cities?
-
Worcester leaders, community activists denounce Thursday's ICE arrest and police response
The YWCA of Central Massachusetts hosted a press conference addressing the ICE raid in Worcester on Thursday, May 8, 2025. -
El Taller says goodbye after more than a decade in Lawrence
The community staple will close its doors on May 12. -
Latino-owned businesses show strong post-pandemic growth, new report finds
The report detailing Latino entrepreneurship was prepared by Stanford Graduate School of Business in collaboration with The Latino Business Action Network. -
To meet housing crisis, report finds Gateway Cities need twice as much construction
The report by the MassINC Policy Center says half of Gateway City residents are cost-burdened, paying more than 30% of their income on rent. -
New primary care centers in Brockton and Dorchester offer new approach to serving seniors
Following Steward hospital closures throughout the state, Gather Health looks to fill a void.
