Sarah-Ann Shaw’s Name to Grace Roxbury Library
Boston officials have announced that the Roxbury Branch of the Boston Public Library will be renamed in honor of Sarah-Ann Shaw. She was the city’s first Black woman television news reporter and a longtime resident of Roxbury. Mayor Michelle Wu shared the news on Monday, following an overwhelming vote by the library’s Board of Trustees.
Shaw worked at WBZ-TV from 1969 until her retirement in 2000. She passed away in 2024 at the age of 90. Her daughter, Klare Shaw, said, “As a Roxbury native and a BPS graduate, she would be pleased and humbled by this honor.”
A Trailblazing Career in Broadcast Journalism
Sarah-Ann Shaw broke new ground as a journalist when she joined WBZ-TV. She spent over three decades covering stories that shaped Boston and gave voice to communities of color. Her work inspired many young journalists, especially women and people of color.
She was known not only for her reporting but also for her dedication to public service. Shaw was a proud member of the Friends of the Roxbury Branch Library and remained committed to her neighborhood throughout her life.
Nubian Square Location Gets New Name
The library, once known as the Dudley Branch, was renamed Roxbury Branch after the square it’s located in became Nubian Square in 2019. However, city leaders said it was time the building’s name reflected a local hero.
The new name—Shaw-Roxbury Branch Library at Nubian Square—honors both Shaw and the cultural identity of the area. The renaming proposal passed with 12 out of 15 votes from the Board of Trustees and awaits final approval by the Public Facilities Commission.
Community Leaders Show Support
Support for the renaming came from city and state leaders including U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, Boston City Council President Ruthzee Louijeune, and state Rep. Chris Worrell. Pressley wrote, “Seeing her name would be a reminder of the tremendous leader that she was.”
Mayor Wu’s Chief of Operations Dion Irish added, “The Mayor looks forward to lifting up the legacy of Boston’s first Black television news reporter and a giant in journalism.”
Some Push Back, but Legacy Stands Strong
Not everyone agrees with the change. Sadiki Kambon of the Nubian Square Coalition argued that the name should highlight the Nubian identity of the area. He suggested honoring Shaw and others with displays inside the library instead.
Still, supporters believe this renaming cements Shaw’s role in shaping Boston’s history. They say her life’s work deserves a visible and lasting tribute.
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