Two Tales, One Goal: Creating Equitable Communities in Cambridge and Boston with Chimel Idiokitas

Cambridge has been known as the “tale of two cities for decades.” On the one hand, it is home to world-renowned universities, cutting-edge science and tech companies, and an affluent population. On the other hand, it struggles with social and economic disparities, including educational inequality and a lack of affordable housing. This challenge is shared with our neighbor across the river, Boston, which has its own version of a “tale of two cities.”

To gain further insight, we had the opportunity to speak with Chimel Idiokitas, the Assistant Vice President for City & Community Engagement at Northeastern University (NEU). Chimel's commitment to the community and willingness to share NEU successes and challenges make for a refreshing perspective.

By continuing to have conversations like these and sharing knowledge and experiences, we can learn from each other and work towards creating more equitable and just communities in both cities.