It was an honor to join in the celebration of the grand opening for BEST Hospitality Training’s newest facility in Dudley Square earlier this month. BEST dedicated the site to two men known for their leadership and commitment to social justice — Mel King and the late Paul McDevitt.

The Nov. 16 event was a culmination of an idea that came about two years ago when BEST’s Executive Director, Marie Downey, spoke with MPDC’s Director of Community Action, Abrigal Forrester, and others from MPDC about expanding its training opportunities to the Dudley Square area. Opening a second site would create a pipeline in the neighborhood by connecting people interested in working in the hospitality industry with quality jobs. MPDC, under the leadership of CEO Jeanne Pinado, recognized the impact BEST services could have on residents in the community and was successful in being awarded an Urban Agenda grant earlier this year to cover the costs of renovations.

The new BEST Hospitality Center opened its doors on November 16 during National Apprenticeship Week. The site is located at 2201 Washington Street in Roxbury’s Dudley Square.

View more photos from the event here.