GBH Amplifies is a community conversation series focused on expanding the reach of local voices from Greater Boston and beyond. The series features community leaders hosting public conversations in the GBH Studio at the Boston Public Library in Copley Square, providing a platform for inclusive perspectives on the issues that matter most to New England communities. GBH Amplifies happens weekly on Thursdays from 12:30-1:30pm at the GBH BPL Studio. This event is free and open to the public.

The monthly schedule is:
First Thursday of the Month: James ‘Jimmy’ Hills, Host of Java with Jimmy
Second Thursday of the Month: Ron Mitchell, Publisher and Editor of The Bay State Banner
Third Thursday of the Month: Alberto Vasallo III, President and CEO of El Mundo Boston
GBH Amplifies is also being supported by the Barr Foundation

This Thursday, May 7, on GBH Amplifies, we’re getting real about what it takes to build, survive, and lead, when the system wasn’t designed for you to win, government entities are cutting funding, while the needs increase.

Guests:

Conan Harris — founder of Conan Harris & Associates, a Boston-based strategist working at the intersection of workforce development, public safety, and economic opportunity.

Jamaal Wornum — community leader focused on creating access, equity, and grassroots impact across Boston.

Joseph Bennett — Boston native who spent over two decades incarcerated, now founder of YardTime Inc., advocating for returning citizens and breaking cycles tied to incarceration.

GBH Amplifies is a community conversation series focused on expanding the reach of local voices from Greater Boston and beyond. The series features community leaders hosting public conversations in the GBH Studio at the Boston Public Library in Copley Square, providing a platform for inclusive perspectives on the issues that matter most to New England communities. GBH Amplifies happens weekly on Thursdays from 12:30-1:30pm at the GBH BPL Studio. This event is free and open to the public.

GBH Amplifies is also being supported by the Barr Foundation.

Registration is encouraged for this free event.

Limited seating is available on a first come, first serve basis. If you require a seat, we encourage you to arrive before the start time of this event.

Join host Tracy Chang as she explores a growing movement of young professionals who are walking away from comfortable, high-paying careers to take a run at public office. We’ll be joined by Marena Lin, a scientist who traded her specialized career path for the front lines of community organizing. From fixing broken food supply chains during the pandemic to fighting the frustrating "phone trees" of Medicare as a family caretaker. Together, we’ll explore why a new generation of professionals are deciding that fixing systemic problems from the inside is more important than a corporate paycheck.

GBH Amplifies is a community conversation series focused on expanding the reach of local voices from Greater Boston and beyond. The series features community leaders hosting public conversations in the GBH Studio at the Boston Public Library in Copley Square, providing a platform for inclusive perspectives on the issues that matter most to New England communities. GBH Amplifies happens weekly on Thursdays from 12:30-1:30pm at the GBH BPL Studio. This event is free and open to the public.

GBH Amplifies is also being supported by the Barr Foundation.

Registration is encouraged for this free event.

Limited seating is available on a first come, first serve basis. If you require a seat, we encourage you to arrive before the start time of this event.

As we transition into the spring and summer months, the expansion of outdoor athletics offers a powerful medium for the unique communal experiences that define us as social and psychological beings. This conversation explores how sporting events serve as a vital catalyst for well-being, providing a rare space to thrive through shared identity and emotional support. According to the Center for the Advancement of Well-Being, these gatherings do more than just entertain; they foster essential social connections that preserve our health and happiness. Whether we are united by the electric joy of a collective victory or finding solace in a shared defeat, the bonds formed in the stands and on the field are fundamental to our enduring sense of belonging. Join us as we dive into the science of connection and celebrate the spirit of the game.

Guests:

Alex Richardson
Career Development Manager, The Base

Adrienne Benton 
Co-founder, Black Unicorn Marathoners
Member, Black Girls Run Boston

Tony Richards, Sr.
Founder and Program Director
No Books No Ball Basketball Program

Yamiley Millor
Cheer Coordinator, Brookline Jamaica Plain Patriots Cheer Squad

GBH Amplifies is a community conversation series focused on expanding the reach of local voices from Greater Boston and beyond. The series features community leaders hosting public conversations in the GBH Studio at the Boston Public Library in Copley Square, providing a platform for inclusive perspectives on the issues that matter most to New England communities. GBH Amplifies happens weekly on Thursdays from 12:30-1:30pm at the GBH BPL Studio. This event is free and open to the public.

GBH Amplifies is also being supported by the Barr Foundation.

Registration is encouraged for this free event.

Limited seating is available on a first come, first serve basis. If you require a seat, we encourage you to arrive before the start time of this event.

Join Jimmy and guests Victor Ortiz, Director of the Office of Problem Gambling Services and Ben Hires, CEO of Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center, as they discuss how resources, services, and partnerships can mitigate harms associated with gambling.

GBH Amplifies is a community conversation series focused on expanding the reach of local voices from Greater Boston and beyond. The series features community leaders hosting public conversations in the GBH Studio at the Boston Public Library in Copley Square, providing a platform for inclusive perspectives on the issues that matter most to New England communities. GBH Amplifies happens weekly on Thursdays from 12:30-1:30pm at the GBH BPL Studio. This event is free and open to the public.

GBH Amplifies is also being supported by the Barr Foundation.

Registration is encouraged for this free event.

Limited seating is available on a first come, first serve basis. If you require a seat, we encourage you to arrive before the start time of this event.

Show #1 - 12-12:45pm

GBH Amplifies with Tracy Chang: Tran Ngoc Lee, chef-owner of Viet Citron

Join us for a compelling episode of GBH Amplifies as host Tracy Chang sits down with Tran Ngoc Lee, the visionary chef and owner behind the thriving Viet Citron. From her early childhood in Vietnam to her previous career designing high-profile spaces for a world-renowned architecture firm, Tran’s "winding path" is a masterclass in grit and creative obsession. Now operating three locations across Burlington, Somerville, and Cambridge, Tran discusses how she transitioned from sketching buildings to crafting authentic Banh Mi, all while pioneering a revolutionary restaurant culture that prioritizes financial literacy, competitive benefits, and community collaboration.

Show #2 - 1-1:45pm

GBH Amplifies with Tracy Chang: The Iconic Marvin Gilmore

In this installment of GBH Amplifies, host Tracy Chang welcomes a true Boston legend and "Renaissance Man," 101-year-old Marvin Gilmore, for an intimate exploration of a life spanning over a century of American history. From his early days in a world of horse-and-buggy transport to his harrowing service as a Black soldier in a segregated WWII military, Marvin shares the grit and strategic brilliance that allowed him to navigate systemic racism and become a pioneer of "firsts." As a musician, civil rights activist, and entrepreneur, he reflects on building Black wealth and housing during the era of MLK and Mandela.

About

GBH Amplifies is a community conversation series focused on expanding the reach of local voices from Greater Boston and beyond. The series features community leaders hosting public conversations in the GBH Studio at the Boston Public Library in Copley Square, providing a platform for inclusive perspectives on the issues that matter most to New England communities. GBH Amplifies happens weekly on Thursdays from 12:30-1:30pm at the GBH BPL Studio. This event is free and open to the public.

GBH Amplifies is also being supported by the Barr Foundation.

Registration is encouraged for this free event.

Limited seating is available on a first come, first serve basis. If you require a seat, we encourage you to arrive before the start time of this event.

Join Jimmy and local community-based media trailblazer, Yawu Miller, as Jimmy switches to the ‘other side’ of the ‘desk’ to discuss the personal impact of maintaining his media platform, Java With Jimmy, for six years and looking ahead at what’s next.

Guest:

Yawu Miller
Former Senior Editor, Bay State Banner

GBH Amplifies is a community conversation series focused on expanding the reach of local voices from Greater Boston and beyond. The series features community leaders hosting public conversations in the GBH Studio at the Boston Public Library in Copley Square, providing a platform for inclusive perspectives on the issues that matter most to New England communities. GBH Amplifies happens weekly on Thursdays from 12:30-1:30pm at the GBH BPL Studio. This event is free and open to the public.

GBH Amplifies is also being supported by the Barr Foundation.

Registration is encouraged for this free event.

Limited seating is available on a first come, first serve basis. If you require a seat, we encourage you to arrive before the start time of this event.

Join us for an engaging live taping of GBH Amplifies as we host a vital conversation on the evolution of civil rights and the enduring quest for equity in our nation. Hosted by Ron Mitchell as part of The Bay State Banner’s 60th Anniversary "State of Black America Forum Series," this panel explores the intersection of historical milestones and the modern-day pursuit of justice.

Guests:

Dr. Noelle Trent
President & CEO of the Museum of African American History, Boston and Nantucket

Byron Rushing
Former Massachusetts State Representative and former President of the Museum of African American History

L'Merchie Frazier
Visual activist, public historian, educator, artist who currently serves as Executive Director of Creative / Strategic Planning for SPOKE Arts

JerriAnne Boggis 
Executive Director, Black Heritage Trail New Hampshire


GBH Amplifies is a community conversation series focused on expanding the reach of local voices from Greater Boston and beyond. The series features community leaders hosting public conversations in the GBH Studio at the Boston Public Library in Copley Square, providing a platform for inclusive perspectives on the issues that matter most to New England communities. GBH Amplifies happens weekly on Thursdays from 12:30-1:30pm at the GBH BPL Studio. This event is free and open to the public.

GBH Amplifies is also being supported by the Barr Foundation.

Registration is encouraged for this free event.

Limited seating is available on a first come, first serve basis. If you require a seat, we encourage you to arrive before the start time of this event.

Join NOVA at the GBH Studios at the Boston Public Library for a night of NOVA science trivia! Get ready for creative categories that test your knowledge of science, from the depths of the universe to the history of science. This month, we will be quizzing you on ancient civilizations, serendipitous discoveries and more!

Limited seating is available on a first come, first serve basis. If you require a seat, we encourage you to arrive before the start time of this event. Registration is encouraged for this free event.

In this week's show, host Jimmy sits down with local entrepreneur and lifelong Bostonian, Nia Grace, alongside community organizer, Curtis Rollins, for a deep dive into the pulse of the city. The conversation navigates the complexities of the current state of Black Boston, exploring critical topics from the impact of P3 developments to the future of Black economic empowerment. Together, they offer a powerful, community-driven perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing Boston’s neighborhoods today.

Guests:

Nia Grace
Entrepreneur

Curtis Rollins
Community Organizer

GBH Amplifies is a community conversation series focused on expanding the reach of local voices from Greater Boston and beyond. The series features community leaders hosting public conversations in the GBH Studio at the Boston Public Library in Copley Square, providing a platform for inclusive perspectives on the issues that matter most to New England communities. GBH Amplifies happens weekly on Thursdays from 12:30-1:30pm at the GBH BPL Studio. This event is free and open to the public.

GBH Amplifies is also being supported by the Barr Foundation.

Registration is encouraged for this free event.

Limited seating is available on a first come, first serve basis. If you require a seat, we encourage you to arrive before the start time of this event.