"About five years ago, James "Jimmy" Hills started an impromptu livestream on Facebook to chat with community members about the COVID-19 pandemic and how it could disproportionately affect people of color in Boston. The desire to engage with the community was natural for Hills. A native of the city who grew up in the Bromley-Heath Housing Development, Hills said he experienced bullying at a young age that fostered a commitment to advocacy. He later went on to work as a special assistant to Mayor Tom Menino and has done extensive work pushing public officials to take action to reduce street violence."
"Now Hills, 54, is one of the most influential people in Boston, and " Java with Jimmy" is essential viewing for many. Hills is an adviser to Mayor Michelle Wu, who calls into the show once a month. Hills does not shy away from engaging with politics, interviewing people like Gov. Maura Healey and Rep. Ayanna Pressley. But he also interviews community organizers, mental health experts, faith leaders, and artists."
James "Jimmy" Hills launched a Facebook livestream five years ago to address COVID-19 impacts on Boston communities of color. He grew up in the Bromley-Heath Housing Development and experienced bullying that fostered a commitment to advocacy. He worked as a special assistant to Mayor Tom Menino and has repeatedly pushed officials to act on street violence. Java with Jimmy became a daily program featuring elected leaders, organizers, mental health experts, faith leaders, and artists. Mayor Michelle Wu calls into the show monthly. The program cultivated a dedicated "Java Fam" community and raised Hills' influence in Boston civic life.
Read at Boston.com
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