Cabo Verdean Cultural Center Commission Forms Nominating Panel to Fill 12 Seats

BOSTON — January 13, 2026 — Massachusetts' Joint Cabo Verdean Cultural Center Commission voted to form a nominating committee to vet 16 commissioner candidates for 12 remaining seats. The commission, created by legislation signed by Governor Maura Healey to support a feasibility study for a Cabo Verdean Cultural Center in Boston, unanimously approved both a draft nomination criteria document — updated to include Cape Cod as a regional area of representation — and a three-member nominating panel comprising Senator Liz Miranda, Commissioner Monica Vega, and Commissioner Manuel Lopes. Representative David Vieira proposed the nominating committee structure after commissioners flagged gaps including legal expertise and representation from Taunton; Representative Antonio Cabral pushed for a second January meeting so that all appointments can be made before February. Three seats are already filled by Angelo Lopes Barbosa of Bridgewater State University, developer John Cruz of New Bedford, and Senator Viriato Vinny DiMacedo of Plymouth. The commission is operating under a one-year statutory deadline to produce a feasibility study for the proposed Boston cultural center.