Say Hello to the Keeping Small Strong Ambassadors!

The Ambassador Team was hired through Block by Block and provided hospitality services to neighbors and visitors, outreach services to unsheltered neighbors, and beautification services for private property owners.

Click on each Ambassador’s name to jump to their profile.

These Ambassadors were on the team that served from September 2023 to September 2024.

• Kofi Williams, Operations Manager

• Bianca Naraysingh, Outreach Specialist

• Tom Donovan, Team Lead

• Anaiyah Allen Fernandes, Hospitality Ambassador

Kofi Williams

Published November 2023

Why do you like Union Square?

Union Square is a very open space, not too crowded. I like that I can see the sky and down the street easily.  As a cyclist, I like that there are bike lanes here. I'm a cat person but seeing dogs around the Square makes me understand dog people. People are on point with their dogs here!

What made you want to work in Union?

When I first visited Union, I shopped at both Mineirão and Reliable Market and loved the diversity of the area—you can't find those kinds of places just anywhere.

How do you #LoveUnionSquare?

I make it a point to eat and buy things in the area to support our local businesses. I love the international markets, Union Square Farmers Market, and vintage stores in the area. I eat lunch at Mandarin a lot, Mama Gina's is awesome and Himalayan Kitchen is the first place I ate here so I love going back.

Bianca Naraysingh

Published December 2023

What drew you to working with the community?

Prior to working for Block by Block, I worked for the state processing Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) applications and have always liked jobs where I feel like I am making a difference in people’s lives. After shadowing other Block by Block Outreach Specialists in nearby communities like the Downtown Boston BID, I applied here; I started as a Beautification Ambassador and then became an Outreach Specialist. 

Had you been to Union Square before working here?

I had! I originally visited Union for Nibble Kitchen. I’m Jamaican and when I saw they had a Jamaican chef I got so excited to come eat here that afterwards I just kept coming back. Union was one of the first places away from my home that I felt comfortable in.

What other places in Union have you explored?

There’s a Jamaican hair salon that shares space with DiAdara called Creations N Hair by Donna that I go to. Masala Square and Union Square Pizza are both go-tos for me and I have it on my list to try BRONWYN. I’ve recently been ordering the goat biryani from Himalayan Kitchen and I have discovered a new love for Market Basket. 

Do you have any highlights from the job so far?

It’s nice to be around people who are driven and want to give others those same opportunities. This area has great resources to help others, like the Community Action Agency of Somerville among many others. One of my favorite things about this job has been seeing what it takes to build a community and how much a community can do. 

What do you do in your off time?

I love arts and crafts and made our storefront decorations for the Holiday Stroll. I love to walk around downtown Boston and learn about the history here and am learning how to ride a bike! My goal is to ride my bike around Somerville to see all the lit up houses for the Illuminations Tour this month.

Tom Donovan

Published March 2024

Had you been to Union Square before joining the team?

Absolutely! I grew up very close by in Charlestown and went to school right down the street. Union has changed a lot since I was a kid here, a lot for the better.

Back then, Union Square felt like a different world to me because it was not my part of the city. When you’re young, Charlestown and Somerville feel far away from each other. I spent more time in the summer here because I worked on a Frosty truck as a window boy when I was 8 or 9 years old. We drove right through here as it was a big part of our area. 

What drew you to working with Block By Block?

I worked with Block By Block downtown for the Rose Kennedy Greenway BID for about a year and a half. It was nice to be outdoors and work with the public.

Do you shop at any Union businesses?

Daily when I’m here, absolutely! If I didn’t mention my love for Mama Gina’s, they’d be very upset with me. I’m a regular! I go to a couple of the corner stores like Mid Nite Convenient too—I like to keep it pretty simple. 

What do you do in your free time?

I have a son and a couple of nephews who all play hockey. They’re in high school now but I used to coach them when they were younger. I don’t get out on the ice much anymore but I play street hockey with them still. We do mostly pickup games and there are tournaments as well. I promised my nephews and son that I’d play in one this year. We’re all hockey nuts. 

Anaiyah Allen Fernandes

Published April 2024

What makes you #LoveUnionSquare?

I like that Union Square is really community-oriented. People are a lot friendlier here than other places around Boston that I visit. It’s almost like a family vibe in the area; people are always chatting with each other on the streets.

My favorite thing about Union Square is all the dogs. My favorite is a bully mix named Barbara who is so sweet! So I’ve made friends with Barbara and her owners too.

Why did you want to work with Block By Block?

I didn’t want an office job where I was inside all day. I like to be outside seeing people, being in the weather, and really like helping out with community events. 

My favorite event in Union Square so far has been the Holiday Stroll. That was my first time ever seeing an event like that; it was really nice.

What businesses in the Square do you like to go to?

I’ve been to quite a few of the businesses to check them out. I went to Chameleon Tattoo one day when I was really stressed out and I got a tattoo—it’s a little half moon and a star. I’ve also been to Mandarin Chinese a lot for food and checked out Rococo Floral’s new shop. I go to Mama Gina’s every week.

Do you have any hobbies?

I’m trying to do more activities, like the other week I went to throw darts. The Ambassador Team went bowling as a holiday celebration and I was actually pretty good! I have really long nails so everyone else doubted me, but I was beating almost everyone!

What are you looking forward to this Spring?

Spring is my favorite season! The streets always look pretty when the sun is out and things are in bloom. There are some pink trees up the street on Somerville Ave that I really like. There are so many people out and about! I get excited to see people outside. Plus, when it gets warm, I know there are gonna be dogs out all day for me to make friends with!