JP Centre/South Main Streets has elected three new board members to their Board of Directors at their recent Annual Meeting. JP Centre/South Main Streets held their 2023 Annual Meeting on Wednesday, April 19, at the Footlight Club in Jamaica Plain. The featured speakers were Representative Sam Montaño, who spoke about doing the work to build grassroots support for statewide measures; and Roxanne Longoria, who spoke about plans for this year’s Open Streets Boston.
Elections were held for returning and new board members. We are happy to announce that Michael Reiskind (current Board President) and Karen O’Brien (current Vice-President) have been re-elected to the board, and we are proud to welcome Sarah Marsan, Sherisse Mayala-Nelson, and Philip Celeste to the board of directors!
Sarah Marsan has been a volunteer with JP Centre/South Main Streets since November of 2022, when she attended our Fall Fundraiser. She has since contributed to our Holiday Stroll and Holiday Light Show and will be a tour guide for our upcoming Taste & Tour 2023. Sarah currently works as a Divisional Merchandise Manager with TJX Corporation. She has been a resident of Jamaica Plain since 2013.
Sherisse Mayala-Nelson has experience working with non-profit organizations dedicated to helping those in need. She also founded her own organization in 2017, the Black Umbrella Project (BUP). Black Umbrella Projects’ goal is to create visibility for local BIPOC owned businesses by supporting and promoting their products and services, and helping to bridge the gap between entrepreneurs and their potential consumer base. BUP’s mission is to propel a shift in the socio-economic narrative by promoting social equity, economic development, and community advocacy through empowering and educating BI-POC communities (Black, Indigenous, and People of color). She’s an advocate for inclusion and has been a champion in connecting underserved individuals to resources and services they need to live a life of dignity. Sherisse is also a resident of Jamaica Plain.
Philip Celeste is the owner of On Centre, a gift and clothing store he started in 2006. Located in the heart of JP, On Centre is an eclectic gift store serving an eclectic neighborhood. Prior to opening On Centre, Philip co-founded Robinwood, Inc. At Robinwood he produced a variety of jewelry and giftware that was sold in over 3000 stores throughout the US and Canada. Philip believes independent businesses and main street shopping create cohesive, vibrant neighborhoods, with strong community connections.
The Annual Meeting concluded with a review of our work in the past year, and a peek at our long-term strategy for JP Centre/South Main Streets. Our Annual Report and a video of our Year in Review can be found on our website at jpcentresouth.com. JP Centre/South Main Streets is a volunteer-driven, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that seeks to guide the growth of Jamaica Plain’s Centre and South Streets’ business district through the active collaboration of residents, business owners, and others committed to a community-led initiative. In partnership with Boston Main Streets, we provide a direct conduit to the City of Boston and can provide technical assistance to help new businesses succeed.