Brazilian COIs - Somerville

Brazilian COIs in Massachussets
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Community Information

The Brazilian community in Somerville comprises older immigrants who came to the Boston area in the 80’s-90’s, indicated by relative stability as well as age. Their children went through the public school system and now are graduating from university. The most common gathering places for this group are public schools, restaurants, jiu-jitsu and capoeira schools, neighborhood markets, car dealerships, etc. Sommerville boasts quality community centers and churches that are a safe place for immigrants to gather, for example: Scalabrini Cultural & Assistance Center, MAPS, Saint Anthony of Padua Church, Mira Coalition, Somerviva, etc. Brazilian Times, a Brazilian newspaper was found here too.

The primary sources of community building are food, language, and Brazilian products. There are many Brazilian supermarkets in Somerville, as well as restaurants, beauty salons, capoeira and jiu-jitsu schools. These places serve to bring people together. It’s estimated that the majority of Brazilian immigrants come from Minas Gerais, an area rich in mica which was an important mineral for the United States during the war. Therefore, the exchange between Massachusetts and the Minas Gerais region has a long history and helps explain why so many Brazilians emigrated from the same place.

In Somerville, this group of older immigrants that created a community of family-owned and small businesses provided a support network to newly arrived friends, family, and other undocumented folks. The growing clientele led to even more growth and development for the small business sector. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in unexpected losses in traffic and revenue, leading to business closures.

The extension of the Green line is a good example of the potential changes that could take place, not only for Brazilian businesses but also for the vulnerable immigrant community. An increase in rents could push them out toward more affordable areas.

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Brazilian COIs - Somerville

Brazilian COIs in Massachussets
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Demographics
Percentage of population by race (denoted by shading opacity):
This map was created at Representable.org


Economic or Environmental Interests

In Somerville, this group of older immigrants that created a community of family-owned and small businesses provided a support network to newly arrived friends, family, and other undocumented folks. The growing clientele led to even more growth and development for the small business sector. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in unexpected losses in traffic and revenue, leading to business closures.


Community Activities and Services

The Brazilian community in Somerville comprises older immigrants who came to the Boston area in the 80’s-90’s, indicated by relative stability as well as age. Their children went through the public school system and now are graduating from university. The most common gathering places for this group are public schools, restaurants, jiu-jitsu and capoeira schools, neighborhood markets, car dealerships, etc. Sommerville boasts quality community centers and churches that are a safe place for immigrants to gather, for example: Scalabrini Cultural & Assistance Center, MAPS, Saint Anthony of Padua Church, Mira Coalition, Somerviva, etc. Brazilian Times, a Brazilian newspaper was found here too.


Cultural or Historical Interests

The primary sources of community building are food, language, and Brazilian products. There are many Brazilian supermarkets in Somerville, as well as restaurants, beauty salons, capoeira and jiu-jitsu schools. These places serve to bring people together. It’s estimated that the majority of Brazilian immigrants come from Minas Gerais, an area rich in mica which was an important mineral for the United States during the war. Therefore, the exchange between Massachusetts and the Minas Gerais region has a long history and helps explain why so many Brazilians emigrated from the same place.


Community Needs and Concerns

The extension of the Green line is a good example of the potential changes that could take place, not only for Brazilian businesses but also for the vulnerable immigrant community. An increase in rents could push them out toward more affordable areas.
Brazilian Women's Group
Brazilian COIs in Massachussets