ASHLAND RESIDENTS FOR
EQUITY & ACTION
A.R.E.A
AREA General Meeting
Thursday, January 18
6:30 pm
Ashland High School Library
Join the AREA Board to plan our 2024 events and initiatives!
NOTE LOCATION CHANGE
- The King Center has a whole week of events
- Teach for America has a nice list of options.
- Meet Boston has a long list of activities in Boston.
- Hot 96.9 has an interesting mix of FREE events.
- Activities out towards Worcester.
Image: MeetBoston.com
2023 Year in Review
2023 - A Year of Action and Accomplishment
To our dear members and partners,
Thank you for making 2023 an AREA year to remember! Together we accomplished so much, and we look forward to continue into 2024 with you along with us toward Equity and Action!
In gratitude and community spirit,
Your AREA Board
2024 General Meeting
Please join us for our first general member meeting of the new year on Thursday, January 18, 2024, at 6:30pm at the Ashland Public Library in the Schiesske meeting room (down stairs). We look forward to seeing you there!
As always, our meetings focus on community and having everyone's voice heard.
Juneteenth
AREA coordinated with the Ashland Farmer’s Market to celebrate and honor Juneteenth. It was a full day of dancing, skits, and poems by the Boston Rhythm Riders Movement; an inspiring keynote speech by Mishawn Davis-Eyene; speeches by town and local government officials; food by Sentie’s Kitchen, poetry by Ashland youth; and activities. We look forward to this event again in 2024. If you would like to be involved in any way please reach out!
Donations to Recent Immigrants
In an amazing quick effort, AREA coordinated and you all showed up, to donate emergency needs to recent immigrants staying in shelters in Framingham. The AREA Board was incredibly grateful for and amazed by how generous our members and partners were in donating. Throughout the month of October we made several trips to shelters and a local church to provide immediate need items.
Grand Marshal of Ashland Day &
Citations from MA State House of Representatives and State Senate
The Ashland Day Committee surprised us by naming AREA Grand Marshal of Ashland Day, in recognition of our efforts to fulfill our mission in Ashland by continually engaging with the community and town government in work toward equity and inclusion. It was a great honor and we look forward to what this recognition means for further endeavors of collaboration with the Town of Ashland.
Additionally, we were truly honored to receive Citations from the State of Massachusetts House of Representatives and Senate, commissioned and presented by Representative Jack-Patrick Lewis and a representative from Senate President Karen Spilka’s office,
Illuminate Ashland
We were pleased to be invited back by Illuminate Downtown Ashland. AREA set up in the Corner Spot Shed with activities for kids while the Drum Nomads performed. Thank you to AnneMarie's Dance Center, Arts! Ashland Alliance, the Town of Ashland, and Chrissy Reynolds for hosting and coordinating!
Maggie & Gali Attend Leadership Academy
AREA President Maggie Musoke graduated from the MetroWest Leadership Academy. Maggie felt there was so much to be gained from participating in the program that she referred Board Member Alan Galiwango, who started his Leadership Academy journey this fall. He has been very impressed with the program offerings and encourages anyone interested to apply!
MetroWest Leadership Academy provides experienced and emerging leaders an opportunity to become more effective in their professional and volunteer roles. Each year the MW Leadership Academy brings together 30 established and emerging leaders, who emerge from their year-long experience with valuable cross-sector connections, community knowledge and a strong sense of personal direction.
Maggie Musoke receives Black Excellence Award 2023
In April 2023, Maggie was selected to receive the Black Excellence Award by the the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus (MBLLC). She was nominated by Representative Jack Patrick Lewis for her achievements. “Maggie is an exceptional individual, who has devoted her life to helping those around her,” said Rep. Lewis. “Her commitment to improving our community is strong and profound. Her leadership has aided so many in the Ashland area, and I know that she will continue to inspire and bolster those around her.”
ABOUT US
Ashland Residents for Equity and Action is a group of People of Color and their allies in Ashland working together to ensure that their voices are represented in local civic organizations, government, and the schools.
We support and promote People of Color-run businesses in Metro-West as engines of economic development that benefit the community at large. Through community action we want to make Ashland a safe and inclusive community for all.
MEET THE TEAM
MARGARET MUSOKE
President
Margaret (Maggie) Musoke, has been an Ashland resident for 10 years. She has 1 son and 3 daughters.
Maggie is the Co-Founder and President of Ashland Residents for Equity and Action (AREA). In addition she is very active in the community and volunteers in other organizations. She is the Troop Leader for Ashland's Girl Scouts, a member of the Africa Exchange Project and Racial Justice Team through Plymouth Church, Onewoman, American Red Cross, Ashland Community Garden, and Ashland Sustainability Committee.
Maggie is a nurse by profession and has worked in the healthcare field for over 20 years. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration/Management concentration and is HR certified.
During her spare time, she enjoys walks, dancing, road trips, visiting new places, and trying new foods with her family.
BARBARA SEKESOGUNDU
Vice President
Barbara has been an Ashland resident for almost 2 years and is a proud mother of two boys.
Barbara is self employed as a nurse. Outside of work she is a member of the Ashland Board of Health, and also volunteers with the Ashland Housing Trust.
She has a strong passion and interest in healthcare management and education, and sharing her knowledge with others. In her free time she enjoys traveling, volunteering and spending valuable time with her family and friends.
ALAN GALIWANGO
Board Member
Alan moved to Ashland in 2017 with his wife and three kids.
He graduated from Northeastern University with a Master's Degree in Computer Science. He currently works in the FinTech space for an Asset Management Firm in Boston.
Alan oversees operational and administrative functions for AREA. Besides being an AREA board member, Alan is a board member of the Ashland Affordable Housing Trust.
He enjoys outdoor activities with his kids - camping, basketball and snowboarding. You can be sure to find him smoking ribs and brisket in his spare time.
SERENA LILLIE
Secretary
Serena is honored to be part of this ground up organization, forming strong friendships with thoughtful, kind, fun, dedicated people around the common values of equity and hope for our Ashland community.
She holds a bachelor’s degree from Bentley College (University) in economics-finance, a graduate certificate in education policy from UMASS Dartmouth, and is a candidate for a master’s in public policy with a concentration in the socioeconomics of education from UMASS Dartmouth. Currently, she works for a construction company managing operations.
Serena volunteers for justice, cultural responsiveness, and equity causes. In addition to AREA, she also volunteers with Ashland’s Decisions at Every Turn, and the Unitarian Universalist Area Church in Sherborn.
She has lived in Ashland for over 12 years with her free-spirited Ashland Public Schools student and not so free-spirited husband Brendan, a neonatal & pediatric respiratory therapist. Serena finds joy being a swim and dance mom/taxi driver, trying new food with her friends, and hitting the bags at UpperKuts Boxing Club.
JILL VERNES
Treasurer
Jill Vernes has been an Ashland resident for 24 years, where she enjoys the friendly and increasingly diverse community.
She has a BA in philosophy and an MS in Earth Sciences from Dartmouth College. Jill has worked as an environmental consultant for 27 years, remediating contaminated properties and helping manufacturing facilities improve their worker health, and safety programs and environmental stewardship.
Jill enjoys contributing to the Ashland community. In addition to AREA, she leads a multi-grade Girl Scout troop, and has participated in the Mindess School Science Symposium for several years, where she loves to see students "dig" science!
Jill has 4 children, who attend (or graduated from!) Ashland public schools. When not shuttling kids around Ashland, she enjoys gathering with friends- especially if there is BBQ, music & dancing involved!
SENTEZA KIRONDE
Board Member
Senteza Kironde (aka Sentie) is an entrepreneur, social activist and works in Finance and Accounting in Boston.
He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and an MBA in Entrepreneurship from Babson College.
Sentie is always looking to make a difference within the community and joined AREA to make a difference within the Ashland community and raise awareness about social injustices.
He is also the founder of UgBuddy, a mentoring organization and Sentie's Kitchen LLC where he caters African BBQ and provides DJ services in and around the MetroWest/Boston area.
RAYMOND KITAYIMBWA
Board Member
Ray has been a resident of Ashland since 2017 with his wife and 2 children (Ava and Mason).
Ray has attended Middlesex Community College and UMass Boston studying Business Administration. He currently works for a financial company in Boston.
Ray is a strong advocate for Equity and Equality and is excited to partner with AREA to help make an impact in the community.
In his free time, he enjoys traveling and spending time with his family.
CARA TIRRELL
Board member, retired
A true "townie,” Cara grew up and lives in Ashland.
After 13 years as the Director of Ashland Youth and Family Services, Cara started her own mental health counseling practice in Holliston. With a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology and over 25 years of experience in providing support and counseling for all ages, Cara continues to enjoy giving back to her community. She has been an active member of a hoarding task force, spearheaded a memory café, and facilitated a caregiver's support group. Currently, she is the President/Secretary of the Ashland Dog Park Committee, Co-founder of AREA and Founder of Ashland Citizens Action Committee.
MOALA KITAYIMBWA
Board member, retired
Moala Kitayimbwa has been an Ashland resident for 4 years and is a proud mother of two young children, Ava and Mason.
Moala is always seeking opportunities to get involved within various organizations that empower women, support the equitable rights of people of color, and early childhood development. She currently is the Treasurer of Ashland Cultural Council and serves as the DEI Task Force Representative on the Ashland Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee.
LOCAL POC OWNED BUSINESSES
Ashland
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Sentie’s Kitchen(African BBQ) (508) 372-5516
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Knowledge Points Learning (508) 231-8787
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Mama O’s (508)202-8516
Framingham
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Dream Team Barbershop (508) 875-1570
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GCN African Market (508) 309-4424
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Nzuko Restaurant (508)620-1024
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Soothing Comfort Massage (508)395-3865
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Loyalty Barbershop (508) 620-9900
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Prism Hair Design (508)788-3400
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Rece’s Pieces Barbershop (508) 879-5930
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Soothing Comfort Massage (508) 395-3895
NEWS
NEWSLETTERS
Below are links to our newsletters:
QUARTERLY ZOOM MEETINGS
AREA holds meetings open to the community on a quarterly basis. We will post the next meeting here. Join our mailing list to receive notifications and our newsletters!
2024 Calendar Year at a glance:
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Thursday, January 18th, 6:30 pm- General Meeting!
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Saturday, June 15th, 9am-12pm- Juneteenth at Ashland Farmer's Market!
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September 14th, 9am-4pm- Ashland Day!
LET’S CONNECT
By joining our mailing list, you will be automatically forwarded meeting information for the next meeting.
You can directly offer your financial support by donating to our cause. We are a grassroots organization run by volunteers and any help is greatly appreciated.
Mail a Check:
Ashland Residents for Equity & Action
205 Main Street, Unit 543 , Ashland, MA 01721
Electronic via PayPal
@ashlandequity
