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If you’ve been to any meeting about affordable housing in Jamaica Plain in the past four years, you’ve probably heard from Giovanny Valencia! This summer he became JPNDC’s Director of Community Organizing. Today we’re chatting with Gio about how he came to Boston and why he cares so much about JPNDC’s work to keep JP [...]

JPNDC is committed not only to building affordable housing but to making sure it's healthy, safe and maintained in excellent condition year after year for the families and seniors who call it home. That's why we partner with Peabody Properties, Inc. (PPI) as our property management company. Today we hear from PPI Chief [...]

Jamaica Plain is known for being a hub for many artists and musicians but rarely do we hear about JP's hip-hop artists. Today, we are chatting with underground hip-hop artist, producer and Jamaica Plain native David 'Lightfoot' Bellow about his work with The Hip Hop Transformation youth group, his latest album, and how Jamaica [...]

JPNDC's Small Business Program helps immigrant and low-income entrepreneurs from all over Boston. One of the newest businesses JPNDC has been working with is Perros Paisas, a food truck that will be based in East Boston. Today, we are chatting with Andres Jaramillo, the owner of Perros Paisas, about his path to opening a food [...]

Did you know the JP Music Festival will be celebrating seven years of showcasing Jamaica Plain musicians this year? Today, we are chatting with Shamus Moynihan, one of the founders and producers of the festival, about discovering Pinebank Field, the very first JP Music Fest, and how the festival has grown but has also stayed the [...]

Did you know that JP Porchfest drew over 10,000 attendees to Jamaica Plain this year? JP Porchfest is held on porches throughout JP and builds community through music and other art forms. Today, we are chatting with Mindy Fried and Marie Ghitman, the producers of JP Porchfest, about helping other neighborhoods start their Porchfests, how JP Porchfest has [...]

Since August 4, 2016, the JP & Me Blog has featured 44 interviews with people who live, work and make a difference in Jamaica Plain. In March, we collaborated with the JP Gazette and our interviews have been published in 11 issues! The JP & Me Blog was created by JPNDC to share the stories [...]

Did you know Bella Luna Restaurant, in the JPNDC Brewery Small Business Complex, is turning 25 years old next year? Today, we are chatting with one of the owners, Carol Downs, about changes the restaurant has gone through over time, the creative crowdfunding approach taken to open Bella Luna, and why it is important for hospitality to [...]

Did you know 92 percussionists with 650 instruments took over the Arboretum to perform John Luther Adams' "Inuksuit" in 2016? This performance was made possible by Jamaica Plain percussionist Maria Finkelmeier and Kadence Arts. This summer, Maria will be leading workshops at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum as part of the Polly Thayer Starr Artist Series.  Today, we are chatting [...]

Did you know that energy created at the Mass Energy Consumer Alliance offices (here in the JPNDC Brewery Small Business Complex) supports wind turbines all across Massachusetts? Today, we are chatting with Erin Taylor from Mass Energy about how the organization was founded, what it's like running a small business in The Brewery, and how they [...]