My name is Joao DePina and I am a candidate in the upcoming primary election for District 7 being held on September 14, 2021. 

I have been in District 7 for most of my life. I migrated with my family from Cape Verde at very young age and we settled in Roxbury. I attended Boston public schools and graduated from English High School. Thereafter, I obtained a certification as Pharmacy Technician from Newbury College.  Later in my adult life, I obtained a degree in Biological Science from Roxbury Community College and today, I am a minority business owner of a florist store, J.D. Florist.  As a business owner, I am advocate greatly for local small businesses.

Over the years, public safety has become my main focus as we continue to lose our community members including my brother, to senseless violence.  The continuous community traumas and the daily disparities that we have experienced has propelled to me being on the front line as their amplifiers. During this time, I have used my voice and platform to assist those impacted by trauma by providing access to resources, volunteering, attending meetings to support those in need and bring awareness to these growing challenges. As an elected member of the Ward 12 Democratic Committee, for the past eight years, I have been dedicated in my effort to ensure complete education of our local political process and other matters that are directly impacting the residents of ward 12. 

I am running for office because I believe our community needs a voice, a much louder one; a voice that will say what needs to be said and hold others accountable while being transparent and honest. The current state of our community is indicative that we can no longer solely rely on the idea of representation.  The responsibility of a City Counselor is to be the true voice of the people. Roxbury is very diverse, and no one should be left behind.  As a candidate, I will notmake any promises that I am unable to deliver.  I am also impacted by these choices and I wholly LOVE my community; I AM invested. I promise to be honest, open, and fully transparent, I promise to always listen to your needs, issues, opinions and recommendations before casting votes, I promise to always include you and to be accessible at all times!

I will as I always have throughout the years, continue to advocate to my greatest potential to address and put forth tangible resolutions to the issues that are in District 7 and our entire City.  I will need your support to ensure that the results are in our favor and the voice of District 7 is finally heard. 

I look forward to having your support and vote on September 14th, 2021.