Brian and Chris Worrell, Ruth Batson Academy
On March 6, 2025, Boston City Councilor Brian Worrell and Massachusetts State Representative Chris Worrell visited Ruth Batson Academy to speak with Op Banjineh Browne’s 12th grade civics class.
Rep. Worrell represents Massachusetts’ 5th Suffolk district, and Councilor Worrell represents Boston’s District 4; many students in Mr. Browne’s classes live in these districts. After introducing themselves and sharing their pathways to careers in public service, Rep. Worrell and Councilor Worrell made clear that they work for the students and their families. With that prompt, the students shared some of the issues they feel are most important for the local and state governments to address: fixing school buildings, options for unhoused people, improving access to healthcare, rehabilitation programs for substance abuse, single mother support, and improvements to “food deserts.”
“Our Pathfinders program offers students an opportunity to learn about different careers and their own potential futures,” said Erin McGrath, Executive Director of BPIE. “Today’s visit was particularly moving, because in addition to learning about what it means to be an elected official, the students heard that those officials work for them. Councilor Worrell and Rep. Worrell encouraged the class to use their voices and to advocate for the changes they want to see in our City and Commonwealth, and reminded them that they already have power.”
Rep. Worrell also shared the process of creating a bill and underscored the power that the students in the classroom have to make change happen. He then challenged students and Mr. Browne to collectively identify a cause that they’re passionate about, something that they want improved in their community, and then research and author a bill. Each month there’s a public hearing at the State House, where residents are given two minutes to pitch their idea, field questions and defend their proposed bill. Rep. Worrell said if they do this, he would personally file the bill on their behalf. “Be a part of the process, you just need to organize and show up!” he exclaimed.
Councilor Worrell provided an overview of his top priorities, which included a focus on a Black and Brown economic agenda. One initiative is to increase jobs in his district by expanding the number of dine-in restaurants, a measure that will bring more service industry jobs to residents, and create vibrant neighborhoods where residents want to invest in and buy a home. That led to an authentic discussion about affordable housing in his district and the importance of residents becoming homeowners and not being displaced. Students learned about the importance of Inclusive Development Policy (IDP), down payment assistance, and special zoning initiatives that decrease the barriers to access for becoming homeowners in the very neighborhoods they grew up in.
The visit wrapped with one final question from a student: What keeps the Worrell brothers going when faced with opposition or challenges? Rep. Worrell credits “The generation behind me. I want to make sure that you guys are set up to win…I want to pull you guys up, I want you to have the opportunity to buy a house, start a business, and excel wherever you go.” For Councilor Worrell, it’s the “untapped potential we have in our community. We have the talent, what’s missing are the resources and the pathways.”
