Boston Mayor Michelle Wu to Speak at NBSS 2022 Graduation
America’s first trade school shares Mayor’s commitment to improving educational access
and equity through vocational training
We are pleased to announce Boston Mayor Michelle Wu will deliver the commencement address to our newest graduates at Old North Church on Friday, June 10, 2022.
Mayor Wu has long championed investments in education, notably within the Boston neighborhoods from which many NBSS students and alumni hail. Additionally, through her time as City Councilor and now as Mayor, she has been a driving force behind creating greater access and equity within Boston, helping people of all backgrounds find pathways to enrich their lives.
Our School holds similar values. From its founding in 1881 as a settlement house, today we continue a tradition of serving the community. Currently, NBSS provides meaningful training to first-generation trade school students, returning veterans, career changers, and many others. We also work directly with Boston Public Schools, from partnering with Madison Park Technical Regional High School on a five-week summer program, to having our Piano Technology students tune and repair instruments throughout the district.
Mayor Wu welcomed the invitation to speak at NBSS. “I’m thrilled to be joining this year’s graduating class from the country’s oldest trade school,” said Mayor Wu. “At a time when we’re experiencing a national shortage in skilled tradespeople, it’s an honor to be celebrating students who have overcome so much to develop the knowledge and abilities to be able to give back to our communities for years to come.”
NBSS president Sarah Turner echoes the Mayor’s sentiment. “We couldn’t be happier to have Mayor Wu address our graduating class, who have made the choice to redirect their lives through training at NBSS. As we embark on the next chapter of our history—reaching towards our 150th in the next ten years—I can hardly think of a better person to speak to the opportunities that await our graduates, and the School as a whole.”
The 2022 Commencement will see nearly 100 students join a community of 3,000+ alumni located around the world. As of this writing, over 70% of these new graduates are already employed within their chosen industry. The event is closed to the public, but a livestream will be available via YouTube.
About North Bennet Street School
As America’s first trade school, North Bennet Street School (www.nbss.edu) is internationally known for its programs and for helping students to achieve meaningful lives and livelihoods. For more than a century, the exceptional institution and its inspiring community have encouraged individual growth, curiosity, and commitment to excellence.
NBSS offers career training in Bookbinding, Carpentry, Cabinet & Furniture Making, Jewelry Making & Repair, Locksmithing & Security Technology, Piano Technology, Preservation Carpentry, and Violin Making & Repair. The School provides short-term classes and public programs in a range of craft and trade disciplines. The School maintains a sprawling 64,000 sf facility in Boston’s historic North End, the community in which it was originally founded in 1881.
Additional Materials
NBSS 2022 Graduation Press Release
NBSS Media Kit
