2024 Black Excellence on the Hill

On Friday afternoon, March 29, 2024, I was honored as a recipient of the 2024 Black Excellence on the Hill Award at the Massachusetts State House for my public history and community engagement work in Essex County, MA, which includes the Newburyport Black History Initiative, the African Americans in Essex County annotated guide, and a new project on King Pompey with my colleague Dr. Meghan Howey at the University of New Hampshire. My state representative, Dawne Shand, nominated me. I am humbled and grateful to be recognized in this way along with others.

Black Excellence on the Hill is an annual event hosted by the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus to honor and celebrate Black community leaders who are driving social change in their cities and towns across the state.

It was an incredible honor to be part of such an inspiring event and meet some wonderful community leaders. Remarks were made by Governor Maura Healey, Chairman Budd Williams, and others.