The Real Estate of Altruism: Radical Benevolence in Cambridge *In-Person* *NEW*

Join us for a deep dive into an untapped Cambridge history that goes beyond traditional charity: the gifting of property as a radical act of love. This lecture traces a lineage of radical benevolence from the Gilded Age to the 21st century. We will explore the stories of visionary individuals who provided their disenfranchised neighbors with more than just temporary aid — they provided the permanence of a home. By examining these monumental acts of generosity, we see how they allowed families to plant roots, build security, and leave a lasting legacy for their grandchildren. This is more than a history lesson; it is a call to action, inviting us to rethink our relationship with real estate and consider how these forgotten models of benevolence can be revitalized to serve our community today.

Instructor: Lavette Coney

Sections

Instructor

Lavette Coney is a lifelong resident of Roxbury, a historically Black and Brown neighborhood in Boston shaped by redlining, urban renewal policies, and decades of economic divestment. As a neighborhood association president, she addresses the enduring impacts of structural racism, including environmental hazards, displacement through gentrification, and persistent political disenfranchisement. Since 2016, she has served as a co-facilitator and former leader of WPCR, advancing community-centered strategies for racial equity and collective empowerment. Through her years of anti-racist organizing and scholarship, she emphasizes that racism is a systemic construct rooted in white supremacy that harms society as a whole and requires sustained structural change. Ms. Coney has delivered numerous presentations, workshops, and invited lectures on racial justice, community leadership, and critical pedagogy. Her scholarship appears in several academic journals and publications, including the most recent contribution to The Other Elephant in the Classroom, Chapter 4, 2023.