The group is celebrating its 42nd anniversary in 2025
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu has announced a series of events honoring New Edition, the legendary Boston-based R&B group founded in Roxbury in 1978, on Saturday, August 30th. In recognition of the group’s profound impact in Boston and the music industry, Mayor Wu and the City of Boston will host various events to celebrate the group’s contributions and legacy, including a street naming ceremony and a community block party in Roxbury. In addition to these events, Mayor Wu will declare August 30th as New Edition Day in the City of Boston. These events will honor the critical contributions of New Edition and create opportunities for residents and families to build community across Boston neighborhoods.
“It is an honor to welcome home Roxbury natives New Edition to celebrate their global impact, from our communities here in Boston to the music industry worldwide,” Mayor Wu says. “Thank you to all of our City teams for their work in putting on this vibrant series of events that will bring community members together in recognition of our local, homegrown group. This is a unique opportunity to bring Boston’s neighborhoods together in a celebration of culture, pride and community and I encourage every community member to join us to celebrate New Edition’s tremendous impact.”
Founded in Roxbury, Massachusetts, Orchard Park Projects in 1978, New Edition has had a profound impact on the Boston community and the music industry as a whole, paving the way for pop and R&B stars worldwide. For 40-plus years, members Ronnie DeVoe, Bobby Brown, Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, Ralph Tresvant, and Johnny Gill have garnered immeasurable success touring the world both individually and as a collective group. In 2017, this multi-platinum-selling supergroup was honored with a star on the legendary Hollywood Walk of Fame. The star unveiling ceremony coincided with the premiere of the group’s three-part miniseries The New Edition Story, which aired on BET, setting a network record with more than 29 million unique viewers. In 2022, New Edition was inducted into the Black Music Hall of Fame and in 2023, the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame. Throughout New Edition’s countless achievements, their most “coveted” accomplishment has been, and continues to be, the love and support they receive from their loyal and dedicated fans. Affectionately known as #NE4LIFERS, Ronnie, Bobby, Ricky, Michael, Ralph and Johnny are equally as dedicated to them, for without them New Edition would not and could not exist.
“I am truly grateful for the privilege of being made a permanent fixture in our city that has played such a significant role in shaping our lives and career,” adds Bell. “It brings me immense joy to think that future generations of my family, friends, and #NE4Lifers from all over the world will be able to walk and drive down New Edition Way. This honor is mind-blowing in the most awesome way. 02119 IS and WILL always be my home.”
“Boston is where it all began for us. This honor means the world to me,” shares Brown.
On Saturday, August 30th, the City of Boston will host a street naming ceremony and community block party. Mayor Wu will designate Dearborn Street as New Edition Way and declare August 30th as New Edition Day in the City of Boston. The street naming ceremony will take place at the corner of Ambrose Street and Albany Street in Roxbury, honoring the group at Orchard Gardens, formerly known as Orchard Park, where the founding members of New Edition grew up. Immediately after the street renaming ceremony, the city will host a community block party in front of the Orchard Gardens Boys & Girls Club, featuring music, a backpack giveaway for youth, free food, fun activities, and a special appearance by New Edition.
