Join the New England Aquarium on Thursday, November 1 at 7pm in the Simons IMAX® Theatre ( for the free panel discussion on ‘Inclusive Community Resilience Building in East Boston.’
Communities across the United States are facing a variety of changes and challenges. Three East Boston leaders are taking steps to engage diverse residents in activities to help foster community resilience in light of the challenges. The New England Aquarium is collaborating with these leaders on a project called Communities Advancing Science Literacy. The panelists will discuss why they do their work, how it is making a positive difference, and how more people can get involved to foster community resilience.
Panelists are:
Magdalena Ayed, Founder of Harborkeepers
Alex DeFronzo, Executive Director of Piers Park Sailing Center
Kannan Thiruvengadam, Founder of Eastie Farm
Magdalena Ayed founded Harborkeepers to build coastal community resiliency and foster environmental stewardship through education, engagement, and advocacy.
Alex DeFronzo is the Executive Director of Piers Park Sailing Center, which offers 100 percent accessible recreational, educational, and personal growth opportunities for people of all ages and abilities in Boston Harbor. Piers Park empowers participants to become stewards of a stronger community, advocates for a healthy Boston Harbor, and leaders of individual and family wellness.
Kannan Thiruvengadam founded Eastie Farm to improve food access and community resilience by developing interactive urban agricultural spaces, where residents of all ages and backgrounds are encouraged to learn and take part in the production of healthy, locally grown, and culturally relevant foods.
Community partner ZUMIX will gather short audio interviews about building community resilience. It will invite participation in the IMAX lobby before and after the panel discussion. ZUMIX is an East Boston not-for-profit organization dedicated to empowering youth to use music to make positive change in their lives and communities.
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