It’s a busy winter for Roxbury Tenants of Harvard (RTH), a non-profit which has provided affordable housing for tenants of diverse backgrounds, organized youth programs and advocated for its community members for over 50 years. The center sits on the border of two very diverse neighborhoods – Roxbury and Mission Hill, and seeks to serve people of all identities. This year, they celebrated the full 15 days of Chinese New Year. 

“We live in a diverse world, and you should know something about everyone else’s culture, especially the ones you’ve never been exposed to,” said Scott Amaral, the director of resident services. “We have different cultures mix at our Chinese New Year, Black History Month, St. Patrick’s Day and Russian events, so everyone really mixes.”

The Year of the Snake was kicked off with a celebration on Feb. 2. During the first half of the evening, about 350 people mingled and got to know each other inside the center’s gym. Later, as expected by regular attendees, more community members arrived and filled up both seating and standing space. 

For 20 years, Amaral has hosted events alongside his team who work tirelessly to celebrate community members and learn about their different cultures. 

“This is my celebration,” he said. “It’s gotten bigger over the years. I’m hoping this year brings me good luck.” 

Karen Gately, the center’s executive director who has worked there for over 12 years,  pointed out that for many immigrants and families, the events the center puts on are the only celebrations that compare to authentic traditions in their home countries. During her speech, she said that Chinese New Year is one of the most widely celebrated holidays in the world.  

“It is time for family reunion, no matter how far away from home people are,” she said. “And bringing together a sense of community – that’s what we are doing today with our RTH family.”

The celebration started off with a traditional lion dance. As it danced along to the beat of the drums, it weaved its way through the crowd, looking at cameras and bringing smiles to audience members.

Despite getting push back from co-workers because of how costly the dragon costumes are, usually costing hundreds of dollars, Gately pushed for the animal to make an appearance saying, “You feel pride in others seeing the lion dance, making it authentic and giving them a real experience as if they were in China.”

But, putting on an authentic event also means having traditional food and activities. And for Jacquie Boston, learning about the Chinese culture’s practices and beliefs is essential. Boston, who sits on the board of directors, said, “My granddaughter is half Black and half Chinese. So, I have to learn a lot about the Chinese culture.”

For her, being able to serve traditional meals, desserts and snacks at the event while interacting with cultures outside of her own is the most important part of learning about her granddaughter’s heritage. 

“Her cultures are day and night. Her dad’s is very family oriented and here, families lose themselves very quickly,” she said. 

Part of the role Boston has taken on as a grandmother is ensuring her granddaughter holds both family and traditions close to her heart as she grows older. To her, it was crucial that the youngest member of her family was at the event.

While only 10 months old, there is no denying that her exposure to different cultures has started at a young age.

During the dinner portion of the evening, dancers took center stage and graced the audience with their traditional red and gold attire. Later, one community member played traditional Chinese song on the piano while a little boy, also dressed in traditional attire, danced with his mother. The mother and son both identified as Black, and this simple scene demonstrated just how participatory the event was.

Having grown up in the neighborhood, Gately noted that while the community is different and more diverse, some things remain the same. Saying, “I think when you have the opportunity, it’s kind of special to see the demographics have changed but the needs, wants and goals of people have not.” 

For upcoming events hosted by RTH, visit https://roxburytenants.org/events/.