David Plouffe and Willie McGinest Talk Community Empowerment in Boston
Written byOn Tuesday, community leaders came out to Hibernian Hall in Roxbury for a breakfast featuring Uber’s Chief Advisor David Plouffe, former New England Patriot Willie McGinest, and Kali, an Uber driver-partner from Mattapan. They spoke to a group of local leaders and driver-partners about the importance of improving transportation options and opening doors to communities throughout Greater Boston, while investing in the economic opportunities that are helping over 20,000 driver-partners throughout Massachusetts.
McGinest spoke about his involvement in urban communities and the importance of options like Uber in helping people earn money and making our neighborhoods more accessible.
“I grew up around guys who didn’t have the opportunity to have those jobs, play a sport, or become a doctor, so they resorted to other things. Now when I go back to my old neighborhoods, I see the Uber sticker on guys’ cars and I give them positive encouragement, I’m glad they are doing something. It’s an alternative that keeps them out of trouble, while driving on their own schedule, and letting them be their own boss.” – Willie McGinest, Former New England Patriots Player
And Plouffe emphasized how Uber is working for thousands of people throughout Greater Boston. Driver-partners choose Uber because of the flexibility and opportunity to earn money on their own time.
“When you talk to people about their lives, they say two things generally: they don’t have enough time and they don’t have enough money and they want more of both. This platform gives them both” – David Plouffe, Uber’s Chief Advisor
It’s been over 4 years since Uber arrived in Boston—one of the first cities to launch—and has since changed the way people move around our state, especially in Greater Boston’s underserved areas.
We were honored to welcome David, Willie, and Kali and to hear from other driver-partners who are moving this city about the growing impact of Uber.
At the conclusion of the breakfast, David Plouffe announced the formation of the Uber Community Action Committee, led by Darnell Williams of the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts. Our local team will continue to engage and work with community leaders to find productive solutions to empowering individuals and communities throughout Greater Boston.
