New Edition, AUNTIE favs, have received a much deserved and long overdue honor in their hometown of Boston, Massachusetts; Roxbury’s Orchard Gardens to be exact. Five out of six members grew up in the area and it’s where the group got its formidable start 42 years ago.
On Aug. 30, all six members of the iconic group—Ronnie Devoe, Bobby Brown, Ricky Bell, Michael Bivens, Ralph Tresvant and Johnny Gill—were present and accounted for on the corner of Dearborn and Asbury Street for the street naming of “New Edition Way” and for the city of Boston’s proclamation of “New Edition Day.” The celebration was attended by Mayor Michelle Wu and congresswoman Ayanna Pressly who attended Boston University, kickstarted her political journey in Boston, and has been a New Edition fan for many years. Pressly acknowledged the group as “the blueprint for the modern-day boy band.”
Photo Credit: Annette Grant
The Boston-bred members shared their sentiment in receiving the tribute while surrounded by family, fans and the community that has supported them.
In an interview with AUNTIE, New Edition’s Ronnie Devoe stressed the band’s commitment to giving back. Devoe shared that it’s a practice they perform with intention:
“So for me, those kinds of things are rewarding,” Devoe told AUNTIE. “As we get the accolades, we’re putting stuff back on the table to make sure we’re supporting people that have been supporting us forever.”
August 30, 2025- Mayor Michelle Wu joins the Orchard Gardens community and New Edition, fans and family in a ceremonial renaming of Dearborn and Ambrose streets to New Edition Way in Roxbury. (Mayor’s Office Photo by Isabel Leon)
Ricky Bell and Johnny Gill each announced a $25,000 donation, with Bell’s going to the Orchard Gardens Resident Association and Gill’s to the Boston Arts Academy Foundation.
Photo Credit: Annette Grant
In addition to financial support, New Edition is hands-on and personally involved in pouring into the youth. The group has a workforce program. Children interested in the entertainment industry go on trips to venues when the group does sound check ahead of performances.
August 30, 2025- Mayor Michelle Wu joins the Orchard Gardens community and New Edition, fans and family in a ceremonial renaming of Dearborn and Ambrose streets to New Edition Way in Roxbury. (Mayor’s Office Photo by Isabel Leon)
“We show them not only can you hold the mic, but you can also be the caterer,” Devoe said. “You can also be the engineer, you could be the person that makes the mics.”
Following the street naming ceremony, New Edition Day continued with a community block party and backpack giveaway. The tribute is a longtime coming, not just for New Edition but also the city of Boston.
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