Come Join Us for a free screening of the documentary movie, “The Best Mayor We Never Elected, the World according to Larry.” The film traces the personal life story and political career of Larry DiCara, a Harvard College and Harvard Kennedy School graduate (AB '71, MPA '77). Larry was the youngest elected city councilor on the Boston city council and served as its President. His political career in the 1970s overlapped with the federal order mandating a correction to the legal segregation violations in the Boston school system which was issued 50 years ago in 1974. Larry ran unsuccessfully for Mayor in Boston, but years later the local press issued the headline that he was “the best mayor we never had.” The movie uses the framework of Larry’s memoirs, Turmoil and Transition in Boston, to trace his personal story of the American Dream. The movie dives into Boston local politics and its modern history, including a deeper discussion of the Boston school busing and the school desegregation crises.

In addition to tracing the personal life story and political career of Larry DiCara, the film explores broader themes of the theory of a city, what makes a city successful, the legacy of the Boston race relations issues, and the changes in the demographics of Boston today.

Watch the trailer: https://drive.google.com/file/d/13wVYvqu4rGGJSqSmyrvKu7J0qaOMaWtv/view

Date: October 4, 2025

Time: Doors open at 9:30 a.m. The film runs from 10 to noon.  Q&A with Larry DiCara and Tim McTaggart, the director, co-producer and co-writer of the movie until 12:45 p.m.

Location: Brattle Theater, 40 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA

This event is co-hosted by Harvard Kennedy School New England Alumni Association (HKSNEAA). Please note that the concession stand will be open at the theater.  All proceeds will support the Brattle film foundation.  Please support the foundation.