May 14, 2026
12 pm -6 pm EST
Cabral Center, John D. O’Bryant African American Institute
The Kitty and Michael Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional Policy will host a one-day symposium to celebrate women’s leadership in public service as exemplified by the life and legacy of Kitty Dukakis. Moderated by Alicia Modestino, a professor of public policy and urban affairs and economics and the Director of the Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional Policy, the event will bring together policymakers, practitioners, community members and researchers, the symposium will collectively explore how to make meaningful progress across four policy areas championed by the former Massachusetts First Lady: addressing housing insecurity and affordability, destigmatizing mental health and substance use, building resilient urban neighborhoods, and preserving community through the arts. The goal is to form new coalitions across the public, private, non-profit, and academic sectors that will actively work together to move the needle in each area and fulfill the collective vision of Kitty and Michael Dukakis to build a thriving community that serves the most vulnerable residents of the Commonwealth.
This free event open to the public will take place in person and also be livestreamed (the livestream link will be sent to registered livestream participants the day prior).
