The Cambridge Housing Justice Coalition (CHJC)—of which The Black Response is a proud member—was catalyzed in part by The Black Response’s earlier participatory action research (PAR) project. From that foundation, CHJC members formed the Un/Housing Working Group to examine the deep intersections between housing injustice and policing. This early work laid the groundwork for the broader coalition that exists today.
Stephanie Guirand’s doctoral fieldwork had two core components: ethnographic interviews with Black men in Cambridge (which inspired the film Where Do Black Men Live?) and a participatory action research process that directly involved CHJC. In addition to conducting interviews, Stephanie served as a community responder, offering support to many of the men who shared their stories. From the beginning, CHJC has been committed to supporting Stephanie and The Black Response in their efforts to address housing insecurity among Black men in the city—offering financial contributions, case management support, and solidarity. This work has informed the campaigns of the CHJC, especially the campaign to develop a municipal voucher program. This collaborative work is documented in a chapter of Stephanie’s dissertation.
The Cambridge Housing Justice Coalition is now the primary sponsor of the upcoming screening of Where Do Black Men Live? on May 29, 2025. The event is co-sponsored by the CHJC member organizations including Cambridge Residents Alliance, Our Revolution Cambridge, Cambridge DSA, and The Black Response. The event will be hosted by CHJC member Banti Gheneti and will include an overview of CHJC’s work, alongside current strategies for addressing the housing issues raised in the film.
Following the screening, the event will feature a community discussion, including:
Testimonies from Black Cantabrigian men Kaleb Abebe and Donnie Lee
Members of the Voucher Working Group: Lee Farris and Khalida Griffin, who are advocating for municipally funded housing vouchers
Representatives from the Cambridge Community Land Trust: Margaret Brady and Rebecca Mailman, who are working to establish permanently affordable housing for all Cantabrigians
This event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. If you would like to volunteer or learn more, please contact Carolyn at chjc@cambridgehousingjustice.com.
We look forward to seeing you there!
