Category: Blog Exclusive

Our first Community Currents conversation features Shirley Shillingford, a tireless community leader whose work has long supported families across Boston. As the founder of Shirley’s Pantry and a driving force behind the Boston Caribbean Festival, Miss Shirley has built spaces where neighbors come together — not only to celebrate culture and community, but to make sure no one is left without the basic support they need.

In this conversation, Miss Shirley joins Joe Kennedy III, President of Citizens Energy, to talk about the challenges families are facing today, the importance of trusted community partnerships, and, how she advocates for those in need, she does a very good job “getting a ‘yes.’”

At Citizens Energy, our work has always been rooted in the communities we serve. For more than four decades, we’ve partnered with local leaders, organizations, and trusted advocates who know their neighborhoods best and work every day to help families afford life’s most basic needs.

That’s why we’re excited to introduce Community Currents — a new blog where we’ll highlight the people and partnerships powering change in communities across the country. Through conversations with community leaders, nonprofit organizations, and longtime partners, Community Currents will share stories from the ground: the challenges families face, the innovative work happening locally, and how collaboration can help ensure more people have access to affordable energy and other essential resources.

These are the voices that inspire our work and guide our mission. In the months ahead, we’ll be lifting up their stories — and exploring how, together, we can continue building stronger, more resilient communities.

We invite you to read, watch, learn, and join the conversation.