Roxbury Roots, Roxbury Future: Sen. Liz Miranda on Development, Culture, and Community Power

By Erin Tiernan

Watch Interview Highlights

What does Roxbury need right now? According to State Senator Liz Miranda, it needs vision, investment, and leadership that listens.

In a recent sit-down with Roxbury Main Streets, she talked about her roots in the Dudley Triangle, the push for more equitable development, and why groups like RMS need to play a central role in shaping what's next.

When it comes to small business and economic development, she said RMS "should lead."

Supporting small business growth is key to preserving culture, promoting equity, and preventing displacement, she said.

“We don’t have the right mix of businesses in Roxbury right now,” Miranda said. “I don’t want to walk out of my house and only see a liquor store, a tire shop, and a fast food place. I want bars and restaurants, nightlife, community health care, bookstores, and places to gather. That’s what makes a community whole.”

Roxbury Main Streets is helping revitalize commercial areas like Nubian Square, which suffered heavy losses during the pandemic and is now slowly rebounding with help from city and state investment.

“They’re encouraging us to continuously shop in Nubian Square, where we don’t have a culture after 3 p.m. anymore. That matters. That presence matters,” Sen. Miranda said.

Ready to Lead

RMS board president Richard Taylor, who is also the developer behind Nubian Square Ascends, said more small business support is on the way. The state budget awarded $100,000 to RMS for a storefront improvement grant program.

“We’re not just asking for a seat at the table — we’re ready to lead," Taylor said. "This is a down payment on community-driven growth that protects the soul of Roxbury.”

Foot traffic and shopping are already picking up, said RMS Executive Director Robert George, thanks in part to a city-backed safety initiative that added patrols and new streetlights.

Sen. Miranda and Rep. Chynah Tyler helped secure more than $450,000 in new state funding for Roxbury. RMS will also oversee $250,000 for public safety efforts, including the Nubian Square Senior Initiative, and $100,000 for the Plan Blue Initiative, which supports small businesses affected by construction along Blue Hill Avenue.

Miranda also praised programs like the SPACE and Legacy Business Initiatives, which helped entrepreneurs like Allen’s Formal Wear and designer Dionne Richards open storefronts in the neighborhood.

“It’s about equity, not just equality,” she said. “Districts like mine should get more support.”

Rooted in Resilience

Miranda grew up in the Dudley Street Triangle — a neighborhood she described as “dumped on” by the city — and saw early on the power of community organizing.

“Roxbury raised me,” she said. “I learned from watching people fight hard for dignity and ownership.”

Today, Roxbury is changing again, fueled by new businesses and development pressure. Miranda named Nubian Markets, Frugal Bookstore, Sorrel & Lime, Gourmet Creole, and a new florist on Blue Hill Ave as examples of what’s working.

Still, she warned, “We need development that doesn’t push people out. We need continuity. We need to keep the music, the festivals, the late-night culture that made this place vibrant.”

Leadership in Transition: District 7's Next Chapter

Roxbury is also on the verge of a political shift. District 7 — which includes Nubian Square — will elect a new city councilor following the resignation of Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson, who pleaded guilty to ethics violations.

“Roxbury deserves leadership that listens, has integrity, and delivers,” Miranda said. “The next city councilor needs to hit the ground running.”

Though she isn’t endorsing a candidate, Miranda stressed the importance of a leader who prioritizes affordable housing, better transportation, small business support, and strong constituent services.

“They also need to remain teachable,” she said. “No one has all the answers — but being rooted in the community and building a solid team is everything.”

With over a dozen candidates in the race, Roxbury voters will help decide not just who leads, but how the neighborhood grows.

“You have to design the communities you want,” Miranda said. “The people know what they need. Our job is to listen and act.”

Roxbury Main Streets will host a District 7 Candidate Forum at 6 p.m. on Aug. 19 at the Marriott Hotel in Roxbury. The forum is produced in partnership with the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts (ULEM), The American City Coalition (TACC), and the Roxbury Cultural District.