Special to the Sun
Boston City Councilor Miniard Culpepper announced the appointment of staff members who will lead operations for the District 7 office, effective January 5, 2026. District 7 includes the neighborhoods of Roxbury, Dorchester, Fenway and a part of the South End.
“I’m thrilled to bring together this talented team that shares my commitment to serving District 7 residents,” said Councilor Culpepper. “This is a group of dedicated professionals who bring both expertise and genuine passion for public service. Together, we’ll work collaboratively with residents, community organizations, and city agencies to tackle challenges and create positive change across our neighborhoods.”
Councilor Culpepper worked closely with a transition committee composed of community leaders and outside consultants to ensure a smooth and efficient transition into office. The committee provided strategic guidance on staffing priorities, operational structure, and early policy goals, helping to build an office positioned to serve constituents from day one. Through this collaborative process, Councilor Culpepper identified and recruited staff members whose expertise aligns with both the district’s needs and the administration’s commitment to responsive, effective governance.
Staff Biographies
• Tariq Meyers, Chief of Staff – Tariq Meyers is a Boston-born civic leader and entrepreneur dedicated to expanding economic mobility through education, workforce innovation, and community engagement. He most recently served as Chief Careers Officer at Podium Education, where he led national employer partnerships and experiential learning programs, helping connect more than one million students to real-world career opportunities.
Tariq is the co-founder of Untapped, a venture-backed talent marketplace that reimagined how companies identify and invest in emerging talent and was acquired by Podium Education in 2023. Earlier in his career, he helped launch and scale equity and inclusion efforts at Lyft and Coinbase, shaping how high-growth companies embed belonging into their operations. Prior to founding Lyft’s DEI program, Tariq was an early member of Lyft’s government relations team, working at the intersection of policy, cities, and innovation.
He began his career as an Economic Equity Fellow at the Greenlining Institute in Oakland, California, where he led a cross-sector coalition that successfully secured a multi-million-dollar community benefits agreement in response to the OneWest–CIT Group merger, advancing investments in underserved communities.
He is a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, a member of Mayor Wu’s SPARK Boston Council, and a young professional board member of Friends of the Children Boston. Tariq is currently pursuing his Master in Public Administration at Harvard Kennedy School, with a focus on civic engagement and opportunity creation.
• Bradford Knowlton, Legislative Director – Bradford Knowlton is a policy professional with extensive experience in legislative research, bill drafting, and fiscal analysis. He previously served as a policy researcher for the Hawaii State Senate Committee on Ways and Means and as Committee Clerk for the Senate Committee on Water and Land, where he drafted over 100 bills and resolutions. Most recently, he worked as Fiscal Policy Analyst for the Massachusetts House Committee on Ways and Means, supporting state budget development. Bradford holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Hawaii at M?noa.
• Akesha Quashie, Executive Assistant – Akesha Quashie is a Dorchester native and mission-driven administrative professional with experience supporting nonprofit and public-sector leadership. She focuses on strengthening operations, advancing organizational goals, and supporting community impact. Akesha is currently pursuing legal studies to further advocate for equity, accountability, and effective governance.
• Bayle Vines, Communications Director – Bayle rejoined the District 7 office as Communications Director, bringing prior experience as Media and Marketing Director. She led strategic communications efforts, connected constituents and the media to the councilor’s work, and promoted transparency across the office’s initiatives. She also previously served as Director of Constituent Services in the D7 office, working with residents, community organizations, and city agencies to support strong engagement and meet constituent needs. Bayle holds a Bachelor of Science in Media Science from Boston University’s College of Communications.
The office will soon be launching a search for a Constituent Services Director, one of the most important roles in ensuring residents receive responsive support and timely assistance with city services.
Office Operations As of January 5, 2026, the District 7 office is in full operation. Residents can reach the office via phone at 617-635-3510, email at [email protected], or stop by in person at 1 City Hall Square, 5th Floor, Boston, MA 02201. More information about office hours and community engagement opportunities will be announced in the coming week.
Miniard Culpepper represents District 7 on the Boston City Council, serving the neighborhoods of Fenway, Roxbury, Dorchester, and the South End. He began his first term on January 5, 2026. A lifelong fighter for civil rights, housing justice, and economic equity, Councilor Culpepper previously served as New England Regional Counsel for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), where he championed tenants’ rights and helped secure $25 million in federal funds to rebuild public housing developments across Boston. As Senior Pastor of Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church, he founded the Trotter Peace Program to support young people of color. Born and raised in Dorchester, Councilor Culpepper is a graduate of English High School, Brandeis University, Howard Divinity School, and Suffolk University Law School.