Email invite for ‘electeds of color’ holiday party mistakenly sent to all Boston city councilors

BOSTON — A high-ranking member of Mayor Michelle Wu’s administration issued an apology after an email invitation for an “electeds of color” holiday party was mistakenly sent out to all members of the Boston City Council, 25 Investigates has learned.

Denise DosSantos, Wu’s director of City Council relations, sent an email to the council’s “honorable members” that read, “On behalf of Mayor Michelle Wu, I cordially invite you and a guest to the Electeds of Color Holiday Party on Wednesday, December 13 at 5:30 p.m. at the Parkman House, 33 Beacon Street.”

About 15 minutes later, however, DosSantos sent out a follow-up email to council members, apologizing for the previous message.

'Electeds of color' emails (Screenshots obtained by 25 Investigates)

“I wanted to apologize for my previous email regarding the Holiday Party for tomorrow. I did send that to everyone by accident, I apologize if my email may have offended or came across as so,” DosSantos wrote. “Sorry for any confusion this may have caused.”

Mayor Wu told Boston 25 Wednesday afternoon that the group has been in place for many years and compared the event to Boston’s various multi-faith holiday celebrations.

“I mean again, this is a group that has been in place for many, many years. We celebrate all kids of connection and identity and culture and heritage in the city. Just yesterday we hosted in the city our official Hannukah celebration, we have had tree lightings,’ said Wu. “We want to be a city where everyone’s identity is embraced…and there are spaces and communities we can help support.”

Mayor Michelle Wu says this email was an honest mistake was in no means an effort to divide the city council, but a way to bring people together. The “Electeds of Color” is a group that meets regularly, and she says this year, she was asked to host the holiday party.

Boston 25 reached out to a few of the city councilors who were uninvited to this holiday party. None wanted to comment. Outgoing Councilor Frank Baker told the Boston Herald he was not offended.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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