26
TH Annual
Awards Ceremony
Feb. 24, 2022 • 6:30pm • Virtual Event The Lenny Zakim Fund’s 26th Annual Awards Ceremony | a
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2022 LENNY ZAKIM FUND GRANT RECIPIENTS. We applaud The Lenny Zakim Fund and their grassroots organization partners for making a difference in communities throughout eastern Massachusetts. MICHAEL AND LINDA FRIEZE
b | The Lenny Zakim Fund’s 26th Annual Awards Ceremony
DEAR FRIENDS OF THE LENNY ZAKIM FUND, Adversity can be both painful and an opportunity for growth. Far too many people and organizations have struggled mightily over the past two years. I am humbled to share with you that The Lenny Zakim Fund community continues to thrive despite the ongoing challenges of the pandemic. It is because of you – each volunteer, each donor, each board member, each young person, each mentor, each food pantry staffer, each trusted adult, each compassionate case manager, each ESOL teacher, and each grassroots leader – that we have ended 2021 strongly and managed to enter a new year with the constant resolve to tackle society’s toughest challenges. While I am saddened that we cannot celebrate in-person for yet another huge milestone, I am nonetheless honored to be able to focus your attention on the 59 organizations that we will highlight as part of this annual event. These nonprofits represent the best of the best; the courageous and fearless folks on the ground doing the daily work to keep others fed, clothed, nurtured, educated, safe, and alive. Thank you for your servant leadership! If there’s one thing this talented group of grassroots leaders will inspire you to believe in, it’s the power of we. We can have vision. We can start movements. We can be the change we want to see. We can fund ourselves. We can support the whole. We don’t have to do it alone.
We can dream bigger. Congratulations to all of our amazing 2022 grantee partners! With gratitude,
Eric Esteves, Executive Director
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VIRTUAL PROGRAM Welcome Remarks
Grant Recipients (continued)
Eric Esteves
Civil & Human Rights Advocacy & Support
Executive Director, The Lenny Zakim Fund
Speakers Divya Chaturvedi Co-Executive Director, Saheli
Cynhia Dantas
Deena Zakim and Shari Zakim-Yacouby Board Members, The Lenny Zakim Fund
Health Promotion & Accessibility For All Michael Eckton Board Vice Chair, The Lenny Zakim Fund
Executive Director, Sibling Connections
Joe Walsh President, Adaptive Sports New England
Organizing & Support for Immigrants & Refugees Michael Eckton Board Vice Chair, The Lenny Zakim Fund
Performances Building Bridges Through Music
Introduction of 2022 Lenny Zakim Fund Grant Recipients Access to Food, Housing, & Economic Security Tim James Board Chair, The Lenny Zakim Fund
LGBTQIA Community Support & Organizing Aprylle Wallace Board Member, The Lenny Zakim Fund
Violence Prevention, Criminal Justice Reform, & Family Outreach Deena Zakim and Shari Zakim-Yacouby Board Members, The Lenny Zakim Fund
Children & Youth Development & Education
Closing Remarks
Aprylle Wallace
Eric Esteves
Board Member, The Lenny Zakim Fund
Executive Director, The Lenny Zakim Fund
Special Thanks To: Shironda White of Cupcake Therapy; DJ Kerr and Jordan Carroll of Eternal Visuals; Tammy Torrey and Alicia Ozyjowski of Gill Fishman Design; Grossman Marketing Group; The Lenny Zakim Fund’s Community Investments Committee; 2022 Site Visitors; and, The Lenny Zakim Fund’s 2022 Board of Directors.
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FEATURED SPEAKERS & PERFORMERS
Divya Chaturvedi Co-Executive Director, Saheli saheliboston.org Saheli’s mission is to empower South Asian and Arab women and families to lead safe and healthy lives. Since its founding in 1996, Saheli has helped thousands of women to reclaim their lives, protect their families, and secure a brighter future by offering a variety of cultural and language-specific domestic violence services, including an economic empowerment program and legal advocacy services, and support groups to South Asian and Arab domestic violence survivors and their children. Saheli was an LZF grantee partner from 2017 to 2021. Divya has been Saheli’s Co-Executive Director since 2018. She holds degrees from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, Jawaharlal Nehru University, and Delhi University. She brings more than 16+ years of global, cross-functional work experience in US, Asia and Africa in nonprofit management, international development, gender research, developing leadership training curriculum, and facilitation to large multi-cultural groups. Her experience includes managing large scale global micro-finance research project as well as conducting gender research for UN and other international development organizations such as UNDP, UNIFEM, Ford Foundation, and the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL).
Cynthia Dantas Executive Director, Sibling Connections siblingconnections.org Sibling Connections’ mission is to support the creation of enduring family relationships and community connections for sisters and brothers separated by the foster care system in Massachusetts. Founded in 2005 initially as a week-long overnight camp for kids experiencing foster care to reconnect with their siblings, Sibling Connections today offers a variety of year-round programs to help sisters and brothers (ages 6 to 20) separated by the foster care system to maintain their sibling bonds with one another. Based in Boston, Sibling Connections is the only organization in Massachusetts designed for the sole purpose of strengthening the sibling bond of children separated by foster care. Sibling Connections was an LZF grantee partner from 2017 to 2021. Cynthia assumed the role as Sibling Connections’ executive director in May 2018 following a long career in higher education at Northeastern and Tufts. She holds degrees from Michigan State University and The George Washington University. As an adoptive mother to a daughter who has been separated from her birth siblings, Cynthia has seen first-hand how important the familial bond is to a child’s feeling of stability and sense of belonging. Cynthia has been involved in the domestic adoption community since 2011, and also served as a Big Sister for over 10 years to a Little Sister who spent time in foster care. The Lenny Zakim Fund’s 26th Annual Awards Ceremony | 3
FEATURED SPEAKERS & PERFORMERS ( CONTINUED) Joe Walsh President, Adaptive Sports New England adaptivesportsne.org The mission of Adaptive Sports New England is to increase participation in sports among youth and young adults who have visual or mobility impairments. Adaptive Sports New England collaborates with many adaptivespecific and mainstream sports programs, adding value through its focus on raising awareness, increasing participation, and building capacity so that more youth and young adults with visual or mobility disabilities can access sports closer to home. Adaptive Sports New England was a The Lenny Zakim Fund grantee partner from 2017 to 2021. Joe has served as Adaptive Sports New England’s President since 2013. A graduate of Dartmouth College and UMass Amherst, Joe is a two-time Paralympian in cross country skiing, and former Managing Director of Paralympics for the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee. Joe served on Team USA’s delegation staff at six Paralympic Games and as Chef de Mission at two Parapan American Games. He coached youth cross country skiing for 13 seasons, served on the founding staff of the C. Everett Koop Institute at Dartmouth, and was the first Paralympic athlete representative elected to the USOPC Athletes’ Advisory Council and Board of Directors. Joe served as Vice President of the International Blind Sports Federation from 2013-2017 and is currently a director of Move United, a national organization focused on adaptive sports and empowerment of people who have a disability. Joe is a current member of the LZF’s second Transformational Leadership Cohort (TLC) Program.
Building Bridges Through Music bbtmusic.org Building Bridges Through Music’s mission is to bring together diverse neighboring communities for the purpose of increasing cultural awareness and racial harmony by using music, dance, and dramatic presentation as a multicultural educational tool. Serving Lynn and surrounding North Shore Communities since 2002, its community youth outreach programs offer educational enrichment, Integrative Arts, and performance-based programs for children and youth. Building Bridges Through Music implements and achieves systematic change using music as a universal language to bring children and adults together, actively as participants and visually as audience members. Building Bridges Through Music has been an LZF grantee partner since 2019.
4 | The Lenny Zakim Fund’s 26th Annual Awards Ceremony
LZF Mission Statement The Lenny Zakim Fund works to develop deep relationships and builds bridges among people and communities to advance social, economic, and racial justice. Our mission is to listen those most impacted by inequity and provide the funding, essential resources, and support they need to create lasting change.
“We have the power to change things. It doesn’t take much to start a revolution of thought and spirit. It takes one person and then another. When it works, it’s a work of art.“ – Lenny Zakim, Founder
LZF Core Values The work of The Lenny Zakim Fund is guided by the following principles: SOCIAL JUSTICE All that we do is based in our deeply held belief that social justice is equity and that the fundamental rights, well-being and dignity of all people must be recognized, upheld, and celebrated. GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP LZF is inspired by and respects the power and ability of those most impacted by injustice to bring about change.
BRIDGE BUILDING We are committed to bridging real and perceived difference, and to creating strong and lasting relationships that are fundamental to progress. RESPONSIVENESS Emerging challenges that impact those we serve require an acceptance of risk and an ability to adapt and respond as rapidly as possible. LOVE Love is at the heart of philanthropy. Love and compassion motivate and sustain the spirit of those who partner with LZF and remain dedicated to justice for all.
DIVERSITY AND BELONGING We embrace a culture of inclusion and belonging, one that seeks out and welcomes the voices of those with diverse life experiences and intersectional identities. LEARNING We firmly believe that continuous, active and reciprocal learning is critical to promoting awareness and creating a solid foundation for change.
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About The Lenny Zakim Fund The Lenny Zakim Fund strengthens grassroots organizations and community leaders through technical training, coaching and counselling, pro bono legal services, networking, and grantmaking. The Fund is a trusted partner and convener of social justice programs and enables grassroots leaders to create powerful change in their own communities.
The Lenny Zakim Fund Board of Directors & Staff Leonard Zakim Founder
Timothy James Chair
Michael Eckton Vice Chair
Rob Sherman Treasurer
Josh Zakim Secretary
Lilee Dethchan-Manibusan Lisa Gordon Felicia Heywood Mark Irvings Suzi Kaitz Joe Rodio Erika Rodriguez Jill Snider Loren Van Allen Aprylle Wallace Deena Zakim Joyce Zakim Shari Zakim-Yacouby
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Eric Esteves Executive Director
Allison Picott Director of Development
Dominique Ramos Program & Office Administrator
THANK YOU! The Lenny Zakim Fund Bridge Builders The Bridge Builders honor and recognize the contributions of our donors, volunteers, former board members, and other important friends of The Fund. The board deeply appreciates all that they do for The Lenny Zakim Fund. Mahesh Aditya
Marshelle Gatlin
Charlayne Murrell-Smith
Susan Barry
Josie Greene
Yvette Philip
Shana Bryant
Kalman Heller
Bobby Sager
Hehershe Buseuego
Barbara Howard
Sharon Sankey
Richard Caturano
Drew Hyman
Amy Shulman Weinberg
Alan Chebot
Elisabeth Jackson
Elisa Sosa
Debby Cherry
Carol Kanin
Ellie Starr
Natanja Craig-Oquendo
Douglas Krupp
Robert Weinberg
Elizabeth DeLima
Liana Krupp
Jerry Wishnow
Jamie Farrell
Cairo Mendes
Cheryl Forte
Maria Mulkeen
Community Investments Committee The Community Investments Committee is critical to The Fund’s Annual and COVID-19 Emergency Response and Recovery Grant Programs. The Committee’s responsibilities include reading, reviewing all grant proposals, evaluating site visit feedback, and recommending grants to the board. We thank the members for their selfless dedication. Miki Akimoto
Lisa Gordon
Renee Omolade
Alexandra Auguste
Uryline Grandoit
Yvette Philip
Nicholaus Bates
Felicia Heywood
Allison Picott
Shana Bryant
Theophelus Hill
Marynee Pontes
Hehershe Buseuego
Mark Irvings
Dominique Ramos
Debby Cherry
Timothy James
Sharon Sankey
Tilda Derek
Suzi Kaitz
Deborah Seidel
Beth Dill
Carol Knox
Deena Zakim
Eric Esteves
Elizabeth March
Joyce Zakim
Jamie Farrell
Ron Marlow
Shari Zakim-Yacouby
Marshelle Gatlin
Maria Mulkeen
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THANK YOU! Site Visitors Site visits are “inspirational due diligence,” essential to the LZF grantmaking process. Thank you to all of our volunteers for the work, wisdom, caring and compassion they give. Miki Akimoto
Theophelus Hill
Sharon Sankey
Nicholaus Bates
Drew Hyman
Amy Seeherman
Hehershe Buseuego
Mark Irvings
Deborah Seidel
Debby Cherry
Suzi Kaitz
Gary Smith
Beth Dill
Carol Knox
Lynne Smith
Jamie Farrell
Elizabeth March
Margery Wieder
Lisa Gordon
Maria Mulkeen
Jerry Wishnow
Felicia Heywood
Marynee Pontes
Alice Zimelman
Board Members Emeriti The Lenny Zakim Fund is eternally grateful to our board member emeriti for their incredible leadership, commitment, and generosity while serving on The Lenny Zakim Fund Board and beyond. Miki Akimoto
Steve Grossman
Elaine Sager
Jennifer Winn Aronson
Jon Jennings
Harold Schwartz
Amy Belkin Monfenson
Angela Johnson
Michael Schwartz
Mary Carty, Former Executive Director
Caren Keller
Sam Slater
Judith Krupp
Mark Sokoll
Clementina Chery
Richard Krupp
Ellie Starr
Joseph Chery
Celeste Reid Lee
Jonathan Samen
Gregg Croteau
Kevin O’Malley
In memoriam
Yasmin Cruz Ferrine
Sofia Lingos-Papaliodis
Beth Dill
Ron Marlow
Janice Ditchek
Peter Meade
Asmaa Donahue
Charlayne Murrell-Smith
Donna Latson Gittens
Gabriela Romanow
Joseph Goodman
Michael Ross
Jude Goldman
Glenn Rothman
Former Executive Director
Susan Rothman
8 | The Lenny Zakim Fund’s 26th Annual Awards Ceremony
Martin E. Kantor Honorary
Lucille S. Kantor Honorary
FOR THEIR TREMENDOUS SUPPORT, THE LENNY ZAKIM FUND BOARD EXTENDS SPECIAL THANKS TO OURTHANK SPONSORS YOU!AND VALUED COMMUNITY PARTNERS:
FOR THEIR TREMENDOUS SUPPORT, Frieze Family THE For their tremendous support, The Lenny Zakim EXTENDS Fund board extends LENNY ZAKIM FUND BOARD SPECIAL Foundation THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS AND VALUED special thanks to this evening’s sponsors: COMMUNITY PARTNERS:
the
MICHAEL & Frieze Family Foundation LINDA FRIEZE
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And to the following individuals and businesses for helping FOUNDATION to make our 26th Annual Awards Ceremony possible:
SLATER
the lenny zakim fund deeply to Cynthia Dantas,grateful Executive Director Doreen Murray, Co-Founder and is also the sager family foundation for their support Artistic Programs Director SiblingN Connections FO UNDATIO to strengthen our grant recipients through Building Bridges Through Music & Alicia Ozyjowski institutes and seminars. the lenny zakim fund isTammy also Torrey deeply grateful to Gill Fishman Design Divya Chaturvedi, the sager family foundation for their support Co-Executive to Director strengthen ADDITIONAL THANKS TO: our grant recipients through Maureen McGoldrick institutes and seminars. Saheli Alyson Molloy Hussey Maria Dominguez Gray Grossman Marketing Group Anita Sharma Martin Familia DJAriel KerrBrooks and Jordan Carroll Melonie Griffiths ADDITIONAL THANKS TO: Joe Walsh, President Ben Echevarria Meredith Smith Eternal Visuals Alyson Molloy Hussey Maria Dominguez Gray Adaptive Sports New England Beth Segers Miki Akimoto Anita Sharma Martin Familia Brittany Bresler NadiaMelonie PrescottGriffiths Shironda White Ariel Brooks Center forBen Economic Democracy Ne-Yo Meredith Smith Echevarria Cupcake Therapy FOR THEIR TREMENDOUS SUPPORT, THE CummingsBeth Foundation Segers
PAIR Project Miki Akimoto
LENNY ZAKIM FUND BOARD EXTENDS SPECIAL Dr. Westy Brittany Egmont Page Consulting Bresler Nadia Prescott Center for Economic Democracy Ne-Yo Massachusetts Egmont Associates Philanthropy THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS AND VALUED And our valued Partners: Providence CummingsCommunity Foundation PAIR Project Elena Letona Youth Student Movement Westy Egmont PARTNERS:Refugee Page Consulting Ministry COMMUNITY Emerging Dr. Executives Immigration
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Egmont Associates Massachusetts Gil Fishman Associates Robin Philanthropy Carton Elena Letona Frieze Family Providence Youth Student Movement Hyams Foundation Sarath Suong Foundation Emerging Executives Refugee Immigration Ministry Johnson Immigrant Integration Lab at Boston College Sergio Marín LunaO’Connor Feron & Carucci Gil Fishman Associates Robin Carton Inca Mohamed Sonya Page Hyams Foundation Sarath Suong International Trademark Association Streamlined Accounting Immigrant Integration Lab at Boston College Sergio Marín Luna Jude Goldman Strategies IncaThanks MohamedTo: Sonya Page Lawyers Clearinghouse Hyams Foundation Additional Julia Monaghan Sue Heilman International Trademark Association Streamlined Accounting Elena Letona Income Research +Tai Katelyn Parady Tammy Barr Foundation Jude Goldman Strategies Management Kayak Consulting The Link Kendall Square Julia Monaghan SueatHeilman Amihan Jennifer Matias Donna Bivens Katelyn Parady Tammy Tai Kenia Alfaro Trina Jackson Josephine and Louise Jeff Rogers Kayak Consulting The Link at Kendall Square Cummings Foundation Lawyers Clearinghouse TSNE MissionWorks Crane Foundation Kenia Alfaro Trina Jackson Lia Triantafylidis Wilson-taty Kapang-Ndjibu Sager Family Foundation Clara Angelina Lawyers Clearinghouse TSNE MissionWorks Linda Wells The Klarman Family
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Wells fund is also deeply Linda grateful to Krupp Family Foundation the sager family foundation for their support Marianne Yoshioka Gill Fishman Design | 32 | The Lenny Zakim Fund The Krupp Foundation to | 32 strengthen our grant recipients through Melonie Griffiths | The Lenny Zakim Fund institutes and seminars. ADDITIONAL THANKS TO: Alyson Molloy Hussey Anita Sharma Ariel Brooks
Maria Dominguez Gray The Lenny Zakim Fund’s 26th Annual Awards Ceremony | 9 Martin Familia Melonie Griffiths
2021 YEAR IN REVIEW
WE BEGAN 2021 BY AWARDING
$613,000 58 GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATIONS
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66% ARE LED BY PEOPLE OF COLOR
Over the summer months, we awarded an additional $80,000 to 20 current and former grantee partners from our COVID-19 Emergency Response and Recovery Fund. To date, The Fund has awarded a total of $517,925 through five rounds of grants since we launched our COVID-19 Fund in April 2020. Over the past 26 years, LZF has awarded nearly 1,400 grants totaling over $10,000,000 to more than 400 organizations. In September, we welcomed our second cohort of 10 nonprofit leaders to participate in our Transformational Leadership Cohort (TLC) Program, which was created in 2019 specifically to benefit small, grassroots organizations and leaders from historically-excluded populations. During this 16-month program, TLC fellows will engage in a series of group coaching sessions, individual executive coaching, and workshop-based, skill-building trainings around capacity building.
“The investment by The Lenny Zakim Fund in both Saheli and the people who run the organization through their many trainings and workshop helped me gain both knowledge and confidence to become a better leader and their funding support helped transform Saheli into a bigger and a more comprehensive domestic violence service provider.” – Divya Chaturvedi, Co-Executive Director, Saheli
10 | The Lenny Zakim Fund’s 26th Annual Awards Ceremony
2021 YEAR IN REVIEW ( CONTINUED)
Throughout 2021, LZF offered a number of virtual seminars to our current grantees, also making these learning opportunities available to our former grantee partners and more broadly to the nonprofit community. Some of those seminars included: • “Board Development,” with Eric Esteves • “Financial Management for Strategic Decisions,” with Bill O’Malley and Allysen Mattison • “Fundraising for Storytelling,” with Ben Echevarria • “Grant Writing” with Dominique Calixte • “Strategic Planning,” with Stephen Pratt • “Partnership Development,” with Alexia Layne-Lomon • “Employment Law,” with Mark Irvings and Danielle Jurema Lederman
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2021 YEAR IN REVIEW ( CONTINUED)
Untold Stories: Talkin’ About A Social Justice Revolution
In September, we hosted Untold Stories: Talkin’ About a
Social Justice Revolution, replacing Casino Night as our signature annual fundraising event. Born out of a desire to showcase the incredible work being done in communities throughout eastern Massachusetts, Untold Stories shined, a spotlight on well-known and rising leaders who shared compelling personal stories of struggle and perseverance. This virtual event featured Armand Coleman, Executive Director, Transformational Prison Project; Neyssa Franklin,
Peer Leader, Chica Project; Tre’Andre Valentine, Executive Director, Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition; musical performances by Kaovanny; and, special remarks by Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley. We were proud to partner with UpMetrics and the Tides Foundation to bring the Data for Good Fund to Massachusetts in 2021. This amazing opportunity was offered to all of our grantee partners to leverage the UpMetrics’ impact analytics and storytelling platform. This new partnership allows nonprofits to access UpMetrics tools and services at no cost for one year and provides a much-needed layer of technical assistance to those nonprofits seeking more capacity-building support as they seek to scale their data programs. We’re so thankful to UpMetrics, LZF board member emerita, Ellie Starr, and her consulting firm Starrs Aligned for helping to make this possible! On November 17th, on what would have been Lenny’s 68th birthday, we hosted our 20th annual No Show Ball and inaugural LZF Giving Day. LZF Giving Day is a collective, one-day online giving effort intended to bring together a broader segment of the LZF community than those who usually donate to our No Show Ball to celebrate and support our grantee partners.
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2021 YEAR IN REVIEW ( CONTINUED)
In December, we welcomed four new members to the Board of Directors: Lilee Dethchan-Manibusan of Lynn, Erika Rodriguez of Roslindale, Jill Snider of Boston, and Aprylle Wallace of Stoughton. We also had several leadership transitions with Tim James succeeding Suzi Kaitz as Board Chair, Michael Eckton stepping into the role of Vice Chair vacated by Tim, and long-time board member Rob Sherman replacing Beth Dill as Treasurer who retired from the board. We also said good-bye to Miki Akimoto and Yasmin Cruz Ferrine who both completed their board service, most notably as co-chairs of the Community Investments Committee. LZF begins 2022 – our 27th year – with a 17-person board that includes Suzi Kaitz who will stay on as Board Chair Emerita for the next two years.
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GRANT RECIPIENTS ALPHABETICALLY
African Bridge Network
Institute for Pan African Cultural Education (PACE)
African Cultural Services, Inc.
Kids in Tech
Ansaar of Worcester, Inc.
KodeConnect, Inc.
Attleboro Area Interfaith Collaborative
Legendary Legacies Inc.
Autism Sprinter Inc.
Living Independently for Equality
Black and Pink, Massachusetts
Lynn Worker Center
Boston Affordable Housing Coalition (aka Massachusetts Alliance of HUD Tenants)
LYSOA (Lynn Youth Street Outreach Advocacy)
365Dad Inc.
Boston Neighborhood Community Land Trust
Massachusetts Coalition of Domestic Workers Mount Olives Community Center
Brazilian Women’s Group
My Brother’s Keeper 617
Brockton Workers’ Alliance Bryce’s Journey, Inc.
Neighborhood Counseling and Community Services, Inc.
Building Bridges Through Music
Neighbors United for a Better East Boston
Center for Cooperative Development and Solidarity-CCDS
New England United 4 Justice
Centro Comunitario de Trabajadores
P&O Behavioral Health Initiative
City Strings United
Partakers, Inc.
CodeSquad
Resilient Sisterhood Project (RSP)
Community Caring Clinic Inc.
Right to the City Boston
Community Economic Development Center of SE-MA
Sisters Unchained
DEAFinitely, Inc. Encuentro Diaspora Afro
Somali Parents Advocacy Center for Education, Inc. (SPACE)
English At Large
South Boston en Accion
Eritrean American Civic Association
Southcoast LGBTQ Network
Feminine Empowerment Movement Slam (FEMS)
The Dream Network
Greater Boston Chapter of United Spinal Association (GBC-USA)
To the Moon and Back
Groundwork Southcoast
Transformational Prison Project (TPP)
Hands to Heart Center I Have A Future
New Lynn Coalition
Sitters for Scholars
The Upward Project Top Notch Scholars, Inc. Union of Minority Neighborhoods We Are Better Together Warren Daniel Hairston Project Youth Justice & Power Union
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GRANT RECIPIENTS BY MISSION AREA Access To Food, Housing, & Economic Opportunity
Civil & Human Rights Advocacy & Support
Attleboro Area Interfaith Collaborative
Encuentro Diaspora Afro
Boston Affordable Housing Coalition (aka Massachusetts Alliance of HUD Tenants)
Neighbors United for a Better East Boston
Boston Neighborhood Community Land Trust
Right to the City Boston Union of Minority Neighborhoods
CodeSquad
Health Promotion & Accessibility For All
New England United 4 Justice
Autism Sprinter Inc.
New Lynn Coalition
Community Caring Clinic Inc.
Sitters for Scholars The Upward Project
Greater Boston Chapter of United Spinal Association (GBC-USA)
Youth Justice & Power Union
Hands to Heart Center
Child & Youth Development & Education Bryce’s Journey, Inc. Building Bridges Through Music City Strings United DEAFinitely, Inc. Groundwork Southcoast Institute for Pan African Cultural Education (PACE)
Living Independently for Equality Neighborhood Counseling and Community Services, Inc. Resilient Sisterhood Project (RSP)
Organzing & Support For Immigrants & Refugees African Bridge Network African Cultural Services, Inc. Ansaar of Worcester, Inc.
Kids in Tech
Brazilian Women’s Group
KodeConnect, Inc.
Brockton Workers’ Alliance
LYSOA (Lynn Youth Street Outreach Advocacy)
Center for Cooperative Development and Solidarity-CCDS
My Brother’s Keeper 617
Centro Comunitario de Trabajadores
Sisters Unchained
Community Economic Development Center of SE-MA
Somali Parents Advocacy Center for Education, Inc. (SPACE)
English At Large
To the Moon and Back
Eritrean American Civic Association
Top Notch Scholars, Inc.
Lynn Worker Center
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GRANT RECIPIENTS BY MISSION AREA ( CONTINUED) Massachusetts Coalition of Domestic Workers
Violence Prevention, Criminal Justice Reform & Family Outreach
Mount Olives Community Center
365Dad Inc.
P&O Behavioral Health Initiative
I Have A Future
South Boston en Accion
Legendary Legacies Inc.
LGBTQIA Community Support & Organizing Black and Pink, Massachusetts Feminine Empowerment Movement Slam (FEMS)
Partakers, Inc. The Dream Network Transformational Prison Project (TPP) We Are Better Together Warren Daniel Hairston Project
Southcoast LGBTQ Network
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2022 GRANT RECIPIENT BIOS
365DAD BOSTON, 365DAD.NET
Empowering fathers to be positive influences and examples in the lives of their children. 365Dad empowers fathers through affirming guidance and equips them with the tools to develop and maintain loving relationships to produce personal, academic, and social-emotional outcomes that positively impact the lives of their children.
AFRICAN BRIDGE NETWORK NEWTON, AFRICANBN.ORG
Giving immigrant African professionals the tools for success. The African Bridge Network (ABN) supports African immigrants with high levels of education and professional experience and/or capabilities who may find themselves under employed. ABN has reached out to this high skilled immigrant population which is truly untapped talent. Through professional networking, mentoring, a speaker series and workshops, recently arrived immigrants achieve their potential.
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2022 GRANT RECIPIENT BIOS
AFRICAN CULTURAL SERVICES WALTHAM, AFRICANOWALTHAM.ORG
Developing outreach, programming, and community within African immigrant and low-income families who would otherwise not have access to out-of-school support. African Cultural Services (Africano) offers students and families opportunities to explore, interact with, and broaden their knowledge about their communities and themselves. This includes activities such an African dance, Africa in the classroom, the performing arts, music and art making, academic support, healthy snacks, gymnastics, and field trips. Africano also provides monthly community cultural events, professional development workshops, and in-school visits.
ANSAAR OF WORCESTER WORCESTER, ANSAAROFWORCESTER.ORG
Providing a warm welcome to all with charity, advocacy, social integration, and access. Ansaar of Worcester is devoted to helping re-settled refugees, immigrants, and underserved residents in the Worcester area with logistical support such as food and clothing, social integration, access to services and programs, youth development, advocacy, and case management.
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2022 GRANT RECIPIENT BIOS ATTLEBORO AREA INTERFAITH COLLABORATIVE ATTLEBORO, ATTLEBOROAREA INTERFAITHCOLLABORATIVE.ORG
Advancing a healthy, secure and meaningful life for all within the community. With multi-faith understanding and compassion, Attleboro Area Interfaith Collaborative (AAIC) alleviates hunger, promotes stability, and inspires the community to thrive through coordinating community resources for those in need. Their programs alleviate hunger and food insecurity, inspire interfaith activities, and build community leaders.
AUTISM SPRINTER RANDOLPH, AUTISMSPRINTER.ORG
Social skills play, family support groups, and community forums. Information and spread joy for families of color with Autistic children Autism Sprinter supports low-income black and brown families with Autistic children who are frequently denied critical information and deprived of resources because of economic circumstances, linguistic and cultural heritage, and access to social capital. To combat this, Autism Sprinter supports a grassroots coalition of hundreds of families of color through an active web and social media presence, provides direct programming and organizes events.
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2022 GRANT RECIPIENT BIOS BLACK AND PINK, MASSACHUSETTS STATEWIDE, BLACKANDPINK.ORG
Creating a liberated world for all on both sides of the wall. Rooted in anarchist organizing principles and committed to abolition, Black and Pink Massachusetts strives to abolish the prisonindustrial complex and liberate LGBTQ+ people and people living with HIV/AIDS through advocacy, court/bail support, housing services, re-entry aid, and organizing.
BOSTON AFFORDABLE HOUSING COALITION/MASSACHUSETTS ALLIANCE OF HUD TENANTS BOSTON, MAHT.ORG
Preserving and improving at-risk HUD buildings as permanently affordable housing with a maximum of resident participation, ownership and control. Boston Affordable Housing Coalition (d/b/a Mass Alliance of HUDTenants) organizes tenant groups to increase their collective bargaining strength and access with owners, HUD, and other agencies. The nation’s first and most accomplished area-wide HUD tenant coalition, this organization is the only resident-run, membership coalition providing organizing and technical assistance to HUD tenants in Eastern and Central Massachusetts.
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2022 GRANT RECIPIENT BIOS
BOSTON NEIGHBORHOOD COMMUNITY LAND TRUST BOSTON, BNCLT.ORG
Building an equitable Boston through community controlled housing. Boston Neighborhood Community Land Trust works to combat displacement and racial injustice by creating permanently affordable, community-controlled housing in the Boston area through the collective strength of partners working toward a shared, equitable, and just future.
BRAZILIAN WOMEN’S GROUP BRIGHTON, VERDEAMARELO.ORG
Started and run by Brazilian immigrant women, the Brazilian Women’s Group offers a vital resource for Brazilian immigrant women, empowering them in their workplaces, families, and communities. The Brazilian Women’s Group (BWG) is a grassroots organization committed to improving the lives of Brazilian immigrant women and the wider Brazilian immigrant community of Boston. The BWG empowers Brazilian women to fight the myriad of injustices facing immigrants outside of and within the immigrant community, confronting such issues as domestic abuse, immigration, and work violations. The Lenny Zakim Fund’s 26th Annual Awards Ceremony | 21
2022 GRANT RECIPIENT BIOS
BROCKTON WORKERS’ ALLIANCE BROCKTON, BROCKTON-WORKERS-ALLIANCE.BLOGSPOT.COM
Empowering immigrant workers to lead the fight for their rights. The Brockton Workers’ Alliance (BWA) educates, supports, organizes, and empowers immigrant workers to confront long-term workplace abuses and to lead the fight for their rights through the development of better local, state, and national policies. BWA supports immigrant workers with resources that address workplace-related issues such as wage theft, racial discrimination, health, safety, and unjust firing to make the Brockton community and beyond a better place for immigrants to work and live.
BRYCE’S JOURNEY, INC. BOSTON, BRYCESJOURNEY.ORG
Devoted to helping underserved kids with autism. Bryce’s Journey provides free or low-cost services and support to inner-city Boston families with children who are living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and/or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). It also provides guidance, informational resources, support groups, and workshops for parents and caregivers. 22 | The Lenny Zakim Fund’s 26th Annual Awards Ceremony
2022 GRANT RECIPIENT BIOS BUILDING BRIDGES THROUGH MUSIC LYNN, BBTMUSIC.ORG
By bringing diverse neighboring communities together for the purpose of increasing cultural awareness and racial harmony using music, dance, and dramatic presentation, bridges are crossed, and multicultural connections are made. Building Bridges Through Music’s Groove School, A Sharp After School Education Through Music Program uses music as a catalyst to integrate STREAM (science, technology, reading, engineering, arts, math, and music), social skills development, music instruction, performance, and Music as a Second Language. Project No Limits offers performance opportunities to those facing physical challenges and intellectual disabilities.
CENTER FOR COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT & SOLIDARITY (CCDS) EAST BOSTON, CCDSEASTBOSTON.ORG
CCDS contributes their experience to create alternative economic and democratic processes based on collective care and put people and the environment over profit. CCDS provides technical, educational, and organizational support to groups exploring workers’-owned cooperatives that will create opportunities for decent work and living wages for low-income immigrants of our community. CCDS will forward the cooperative culture because we believe it will create sustainable and permanent social and economic change.
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2022 GRANT RECIPIENT BIOS CENTRO COMUNITARIO DE TRABAJADORES NEW BEDFORD, CCT-NEWBEDFORD.ORG
Centro Comunitario de Trabajadores (CCT) assists refugees who have escaped civil war, the trauma of domestic violence, and other challenges to establish themselves here with respect and grace. CCT is run by indigenous and immigrant Central American and other Latino workers to advance their human rights. CCT educates workers about their rights, advocates with them to protect against abuses, and organizes them at work sites and in the community to change abusive conditions.
CITY STRINGS UNITED BOSTON, CITYSTRINGS.ORG
Transforming young lives through stringed instruments. City Strings United inspires and challenges children from underserved communities to develop leadership and life skills and a passion for excellence through the discipline of a music ensemble. It provides free cello lessons and unique performance opportunities to youth ages 6-18 and was founded on the belief that access to high-quality youth programs can create positive change and foster the social, emotional, and educational development of youth. 24 | The Lenny Zakim Fund’s 26th Annual Awards Ceremony
2022 GRANT RECIPIENT BIOS
CODESQUAD BOSTON, CODESQUAD.ORG
Building a pipeline of talent and stable careers in low-income communities. CodeSquad is an intensive STEM bootcamp and occupational skills training program that trains talented, low-income adults, particularly people of color and women, to become full-stack web developers and launch a new career.
COMMUNITY CARING CLINIC BOSTON, COMMUNITYCARINGCLINIC.ORG
Holistic care to promote and strengthen the mental, spiritual, and physical health of the community. Community Caring Clinic provides cost-effective behavioral and mental healthcare services to children, young people, families, and individuals through counseling, education, social skills training, motivation, and access to treatment.
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2022 GRANT RECIPIENT BIOS COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CENTER OF SOUTHEASTERN MASSACHUSETTS (CEDC) NEW BEDFORD, CEDCNEWBEDFORD.ORG
Immigrants know they can count on the staff of Community Economic Development Center of SE MA (CEDC-SE MA) to provide vital services in a culturally competent manner. From tax prep to ESOL, CEDC-SE MA has their community covered. The CEDC of SE MA seeks to create a more just local economy by building bridges to resources, networks, and cooperative action with poor and working families of the New Bedford area. They have been successful advocating for longer bus hours, support for small businesses, and provide valuable tax services for immigrants.
DEAFINITELY, INC. BOSTON, DEAFINITELYINC.COM
Changing the paradigm for deaf and hard of hearing youth. DEAFinitely empowers Deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind, deaf-disabled and hearing youth through mentorship, performing arts, and American Sign Language (ASL). DEAFinitely youth learn to communicate and work together as a team, expressing positive messages through dance and ASL. Through Deaf-to-Deaf mentoring, youth engage in regular ASL-rich outlets to deepen connections and develop fundamental skills to interact in the world.
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2022 GRANT RECIPIENT BIOS ENCUENTRO DIASPORA AFRO JAMAICA PLAIN, DIASPORAAFRO.BLOGSPOT.COM
Encuentro Diaspora Afro mobilizes and inspires the Afro-Latino community into action for racial justice and empowers young Afro-Latina women to be leadersin their community. Encuentro Diaspora Afro is dedicated to dismantling racism, improving the lives of women and men of African descent, and creating a just society. Through organizing, education, training, and dialogue, Encuentro mobilizes the Afro-Latino community for racial and social justice, empowers youth, and builds bridges between Latino and African-American communities.
ENGLISH AT LARGE WOBURN, ENGLISHATLARGE.ORG
Students drive their education and identify what’s important for them to navigate their new life in America in this innovative ESOL organization. English learners are often discouraged by breadth of the task ahead of them. By teaching English through context, English at Large’s volunteer driven, student-centered framework engages students by meeting them where they are. This gives students the tools and the confidence to succeed from the jump.
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2022 GRANT RECIPIENT BIOS
ERITREAN AMERICAN CIVIC ASSOCIATION BOSTON, ECCBOSTON.ORG
Promoting social and cultural interactions among Eritrean-Americans. The Eritrean American Civic Association (EACA) aims to support migrant communities through language training, workforce development, cultural programming, civic engagement, and professional networks. EACA promotes civic engagement, community organizing, social & cultural interactions among peoples of Eritrea/Africa descendants, and local communities. EACA develops programs that respond to the needs of Eritrean and other immigrant communities from Africa and helps increase awareness about refugees and immigrant issues locally and statewide.
FEMININE EMPOWERMENT MOVEMENT SLAM GREATER BOSTON, FEMSLAM.ORG
Empowering, creating space for, and celebrating feminine people and their voices through poetry. Feminine Empowerment Movement Slam (FEMS) empowers and celebrates feminine people and their voices through poetry, cultivating intergenerational connections, and amplifying the community’s work. FEMS creates radically accessible spaces for people of any age, gender, race, experience, and ability to find healing and support in their art.
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2022 GRANT RECIPIENT BIOS
GREATER BOSTON CHAPTER OF UNITED SPINAL ASSOCIATION GREATER BOSTON, SCIBOSTON.ORG
Supporting the newly injured through their post-injury journeys. Greater Boston Chapter of United Spinal Association (GBC-USA) offers hope to individuals and families affected by spinal cord injuries or disorders through one-on-one support, peer mentoring, support groups, social connectedness, and educational programs to help the newly injured and their families, transition back into the community and lead fulfilling lives.
GROUNDWORK SOUTHCOAST NEW BEDFORD, GROUNDWORKSOUTHCOAST.ORG
Investing in environmental leadership of youth and communities that builds racial and social equity in the south coast of Massachusetts through hands-on environmental projects. Groundwork Southcoast (GWSC) invests in developing environmental leadership of youth and residents that builds racial and social equity to steward urban waterways and brownfields in environmental justice communities in southeastern Massachusetts. Through sustained regeneration, improvement and management of the physical environment, GWSC develops community-based partnerships that empower people, businesses and organizations to promote environmental, economic and social well-being.
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2022 GRANT RECIPIENT BIOS HANDS TO HEART CENTER BOSTON, HANDSTOHEART CENTER.ORG
Yoga for the people: builds resilience, reduces symptoms of anxiety, depression & PTSD, is trauma informed and accessible to all, regardless of ability and income. Hands to Heart Center (HTHC) shares the healing practice of yoga with people affected by addiction, poverty and trauma in Greater Boston. Through their high quality, customized yoga classes, HTHC works with non-profit organizations and high-poverty schools in Boston that serve vulnerable populations to develop and teach individualized classes that promote healing, increase capacity and build resilience.
I HAVE A FUTURE STATEWIDE, IHAVEAFUTUREMA.US
Empowering the next generation of community organizers. I Have A Future is a statewide community of youth organizers and allies building power to ensure that every young person has an opportunity to thrive by increasing youth jobs and ending mass incarceration through transformational leadership development, direct public action, and policy change.
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2022 GRANT RECIPIENT BIOS INSTITUTE FOR PAN AFRICAN CULTURAL EDUCATION (PACE) MATTAPAN, PACEACHIEVEMENT.ORG
After school ends, the sound of happy children can be heard throughout the Mattahunt and Mildred Avenue Community Centers while they participate in the holistic curriculum of The Institute for Pan African Cultural Education. PACE provides a fun and educational space for kids aged 5-17 in the Mattapan community. Through their Straight A’s Initiative (arts, academics, athletics, awareness is achievement) P.A.C.E. engages, encourages, and empowers young people. In addition to their academic support, P.A.C.E. provides martial arts, dance, music, cultural arts, and basketball programs to instill teamwork, self-discipline, and self-esteem through performance and competition.
KIDS IN TECH LOWELL, KIDSINTECH.ORG
Creating the next generation of technologysavvy leaders through after-school computer science programs for kids and advancing computer literacy for all. Kids in Tech excites, educates, and empowers children to use technology to promote a positive environment and foster lifelong interest through their after-school programming. Greater Lowell is experiencing rising growth in the technology sector. Kids in Tech strives to ensure that all students develop the necessary tech skills and aptitudes to participate in the 21st century innovation economy.
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2022 GRANT RECIPIENT BIOS KODECONNECT, INC. BROCKTON, KODECONNECT.ORG
Inspiring a generation of problem solvers, collaborators, and innovators. KodeConnect’s mission is to Expose and Engage underserved youth in dynamic STEM learning experiences so that they Envision themselves as problem solvers, collaborators, and innovators. It works to systematically break down existing barriers to underrepresented students in STEM, foster creative learning environments, and ultimately increase minority presence in the critical fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
LEGENDARY LEGACIES WORCESTER, LEGENDLEGACY.ORG
Equipping young men with the tools to discover their purpose and live their passion for the betterment of their community. Legendary Legacies offers mentoring, life skills development, case management, community outreach, family support services, and recreational and service opportunities to empower young men to develop the skills necessary to become productive citizens and maximize their potential.
LIVING INDEPENDENTLY FOR EQUALITY BROCKTON, LIFECENTERORG.COM
Providing opportunities for isolated individuals with physical disabilities to enjoy social interaction and find new meaning in their lives.
Living Independently For Equality
Living Independently For Equality (LIFE) kindles friendships within the community by offering activities in an accessible space. Their services include transportation, therapeutic and occupational therapy via crafting, and providing information, referral and advocacy assistance for members needing help in obtaining medical, social, and legal services. 32 | The Lenny Zakim Fund’s 26th Annual Awards Ceremony
2022 GRANT RECIPIENT BIOS LYNN WORKER CENTER LYNN, FACEBOOK.COM/ LYNNWORKERCENTER.ORG
Empowering immigrant workers to fight for their rights. The Lynn Worker Center supports vulnerable, low-wage, immigrant workers as it combats wage theft, employee misclassification, and other injustices by providing direct, member-to-member support to immigrant workers who have suffered wage theft, discrimination, accidents and sexual harassment, and provides ongoing trainings about racism.
LYNN YOUTH STREET OUTREACH ADVOCACY (LYSOA) LYNN, LYSOA.ORG
Lynn Youth Street Outreach Advocacy (LYSOA) offers youth an opportunity to find solutions to their differences other than violence. LYSOA’s purpose is to reach out to youth, young adults and their parents lacking a positive direction in life. LYSOA interacts on a street level, building relationships and offering the following services: job search, education referrals, community development, and family development. In collaboration with the Lynn Juvenile Probation Department, they assist youth with the different types of behavioral challenges they are facing on a daily basis. LYSOA also offers at-risk and proven risk youth conflict resolution by using mediation techniques.
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2022 GRANT RECIPIENT BIOS
MASSACHUSETTS COALITION OF DOMESTIC WORKERS BOSTON, MASSDOMESTICWORKERS.ORG
Bringing racial and social justice and dignity to all domestic workers in Massachusetts. The driving force in passing the MA Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights (BoR) in April 2014, the Massachusetts Coalition of Domestic Workers (MCDW) educates and supports domestic workers in asserting their rights. Part of their educational programming includes training leaders from the community to organize for equitable treatment of domestic workers.
MOUNT OLIVES COMMUNITY CENTER HYDE PARK, MOCCENTER.ORG
Providing opportunities to build strong kids, strong families, and strong communities. Mount Olives Community Center provides computer literacy classes, financial literacy services, and parent education programming to Boston’s Haitian community to help families create a nurturing, stable, and culturally-diverse family environment.
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2022 GRANT RECIPIENT BIOS MY BROTHER’S KEEPER 617 BOSTON, MBK617.ORG
Providing opportunities for new experiences, connections, and community. My Brother’s Keeper 617 creates a community network group for youth by mentoring and building community relations and exploring other environments. Through this, MBK617 aims to decrease the number of young boys who join gangs, provide them with the necessary skills to become successful, and empower them to reach their full potential.
NEIGHBORHOOD COUNSELING AND COMMUNITY SERVICES SOMERVILLE, NEIGHBORHOODCOUNSELING SERVICES.ORG
Improving the quality of life of anyone who feels vulnerable. Neighborhood Counseling and Community Services provides much-needed accessible and affordable counseling for individual, children, adolescents, adults, families and groups in Somerville, Medford, Malden, Everett and Chelsea. It seeks to improve the quality of life of anyone who feels vulnerable and is looking for ways to better the relationship they have with themselves, their families, and their communities.
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2022 GRANT RECIPIENT BIOS NEIGHBORS UNITED FOR A BETTER EAST BOSTON (NUBE) EAST BOSTON, NUBEASTBOSTON.ORG
Envisioning a community where neighbors co-exist, support, and encourage each other. Neighbors United for a Better East Boston (NUBE) develops abundant leaders who support social transformation and shifting political power by organizing and advocating for inclusive democratic processes and just public policies to create a vibrant economy and environment for all East Boston.
NEW ENGLAND UNITED 4 JUSTICE (NEU4J) DORCHESTER, NEWENGLANDUNITED4JUSTICE.ORG
NEU4J believes that organized working-class communities can harness their power to radically transform the housing sphere. Boston is one of the most rapidly gentrifying cities, where stagnant income and skyrocketing housing costs put thousands of low-income and working-class families, especially in communities of color, at risk of displacement. In Boston, working-class communities of color do not have a voice in planning and decision making in our communities.
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2022 GRANT RECIPIENT BIOS NEW LYNN COALITION LYNN, NEWLYNN.ORG
Organizing working class people into a unified, permanent, political, and economic force. The New Lynn Coalition is made up of community, faith, and labor activists who organize all sectors of working class people into a unified, permanent, political, and economic force that is union and non-union, and transcends racial, linguistic, ethnic, citizenship, faith, and gender boundaries. It seeks to redress/address the extreme income inequality that comes from lack of power for working people and directly address white supremacy in organizing and educational activities.
P&O BEHAVIORAL HEALTH INITIATIVE MERRIMACK VALLEY, POBHI.ORG
Elevating marginalized and underprivileged communities by empowering them to achieve success. P&O Behavioral Health Initiative addresses mental health challenges and provides a safe place for persons in underprivileged and immigrant communities by offering support and integration. It offers behavioral health services and coordination of resources to marginalized groups, persons with cognitive impairment, and learning disabilities so they can develop and improve life skills to the best of their abilities.
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2022 GRANT RECIPIENT BIOS PARTAKERS AUBURNDALE, PARTAKERS.ORG
Setting up those who are currently incarcerated for success when they return to their communities by providing them with mentorships while they work towards a college degree. Partakers sets incarcerated people up for success when they return to their communities by providing them with mentorships while they work towards a college degree. Partakers’ College Behind Bars program partners with incarcerated people as they work towards a bachelor’s degree. Their one-on-one mentoring builds the trust and connects incarcerated people to the resources each individual needs to succeed in their coursework and integrate successfully once they are released from prison.
RESILIENT SISTERHOOD PROJECT (RSP) BOSTON, RSPHEALTH.ORG
RSP strengthens the education, independence, and capabilities of black women and their children and supports the healthy development of girls as the foundation for their adult lives. RSP educates and empowers black women regarding diseases of the reproductive system that disproportionately affect them. They approach these diseases and associated issues through a cultural and social justice lens, because poor knowledge of reproductive health is primarily related to racial, health care, and socioeconomic disparities.
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2022 GRANT RECIPIENT BIOS
RIGHT TO THE CITY BOSTON BOSTON, RECLAIMBOSTON.ORG
Uplifting the voice of grassroots organizations and residents across the City. Right to the City Boston is a multi-issue-based alliance of grassroots organizations representing low-income, POC/immigrant communities working together for social justice under platform of value and principles: the right to stable community, the right to economic justice and good jobs, the right to democratic participation, the right to public good, and the right to a healthy environment.
SISTERS UNCHAINED BOSTON, SISTERSUNCHAINED.COM
Creating space for young women of color to love and improve themselves and their communities. Sisters Unchained is a prison abolitionist organization dedicated to the collective leadership, healing, and creative expression of young women affected by incarceration. It supports young women and girls, with incarcerated or formerly incarcerated parents, by focusing on radical education, alternative forms of healing, organizing, and art.
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2022 GRANT RECIPIENT BIOS SITTERS FOR SCHOLARS BOSTON, SITTERSFORSCHOLARS.ORG
Committed to helping working parents pursue higher education and elevate their economic position. Sitters For Scholars offers free and low-cost evening babysitting services to low-income parents attending college in the Greater Boston area. By providing a service necessary for low-income parents who are in college and would otherwise face the risk of dropping out, SFS reduces the education and economic gap found in greater Boston communities.
SOMALI PARENTS ADVOCACY CENTER FOR EDUCATION GREATER BOSTON, SPACEMA.ORG
Engaging Somali families more actively in the lives and education of their children. Somali Parents Advocacy Center for Education (SPACE) supports, educates, and empowers Somali families at all levels so that they can successfully access the resources and services in the larger community, and be better advocates for their children in school, in health care, and in their own community.
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2022 GRANT RECIPIENT BIOS
SOUTH BOSTON EN ACCION SOUTH BOSTON, SBEACCION.ORG
Empowering community members in South Boston to create positive change. South Boston en Accion’s mission is to relieve poverty, combat community deterioration, advance civic education and engagement, promote social welfare and justice, and inspire leadership from within the low-income population of South Boston. It develops grassroots leadership from within the community by helping residents to access knowledge and other resources to achieve their goals and develop as leaders to take collective action for improvements to social and racial injustices through education, skill-building, and civic engagement.
SOUTHCOAST LGBTQ NETWORK NEW BEDFORD, SCLGBTQNETWORK.ORG
Building and maintaining a comprehensive network for LGBTQ individuals and families in Southeastern Massachusetts. Enriching the lives of LGBTQ individuals and families across the age spectrum, Southcoast LGBTQ Network works with governmental, community-based organizations, and private entities to ensure that LGBTQ individuals are treated with respect and dignity. This includes assessing, advocating, and supporting programming needs to ensure the safety and wellbeing of LGBTQ individuals in the community, such as housing, education, employment, and mental and physical health.
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2022 GRANT RECIPIENT BIOS
THE DREAM NETWORK LAWRENCE, THEDREAMNETWORK.ORG
Making connections between incarceration, racism, and social justice. The Dream Network helps to form a collective vision of what social justice and mobility should look like in Lawrence through collective power, tangible connection, and shared experiences to build community credibility and capital. Its mission is to develop transformative processes that measurably impact poverty and its goal is to shift culture by addressing systemic inequities in our educational, economic, environmental, social, and carceral systems.
THE UPWARD PROJECT BOSTON, THEUPWARDPROJECT.ORG
Guaranteeing first-generation students access to competitive opportunities. With upward mobility as the end goal, The Upward Project is a career development program working to ensure that 1st-generation, low-income, high-achieving college students are well-positioned to enter and succeed in the most competitive career fields. It is a five-year wraparound program that provides extensive career coaching, internship placement support, cultivation of professional networks, financial resources, and more.
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2022 GRANT RECIPIENT BIOS TO THE MOON AND BACK PLYMOUTH, 2THEMOONANDBACK.ORG
Providing support, education, and advocacy for the littlest victims of the opioid epidemic. To the Moon and Back organizes support, education, and advocacy groups for children born with in utero substance exposure and their families. Services include consultation, care packages, and annual conferences. While focused in the Plymouth area, their resource guide can be found across the state.
TOP NOTCH SCHOLARS LAWRENCE AND MERRIMACK VALLEY, TOPNOTCHSCHOLARS.ORG
Helping youth reach their personal success. Top Notch Scholars is a leadership development organization that provides mentoring and leadership opportunities to support the dreams of each student by helping them build self-esteem, healthy relationships, a spirit of inquiry and focus, and college and career awareness.
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2022 GRANT RECIPIENT BIOS
TRANSFORMATIONAL PRISON PROJECT NEWTONVILLE, TRANSFORMPRISON.ORG
The Transformational Prison Project (TPP) — staff, volunteers, incarcerated leaders, and advisors—is pioneering the path towards restorative justice in the Massachusetts criminal legal system. TPP began with restorative justice (RJ) groups inside prisons. TPP’s RJ informed reading, yoga, and Victim Offender Education Groups help individuals understand what led to their criminal behavior, feel empathy for their victims and communities, be accountable, and internalize responsibility in their future choices. TPP’s work includes an innovative program of practical education and RJ opportunities for correctional officers and other prison staff.
UNION OF MINORITY NEIGHBORHOODS STATEWIDE, UNIONOFMINORITY NEIGHBORHOODS.ORG
Garnering greater political, social, and economic power for communities of color and low-income people. Union of Minority Neighborhoods organizes and trains people of color and lowincome people to end discriminatory policies and practices that limit access to political, economic, and social power. UMN develops a more cohesive force for demanding greater political power through designing programs and campaigns that address community needs. 44 | The Lenny Zakim Fund’s 26th Annual Awards Ceremony
2022 GRANT RECIPIENT BIOS
WE ARE BETTER TOGETHER WARREN DANIEL HAIRSTON PROJECT BOSTON, WAB2G.ORG
Educating, supporting, and serving families on both sides of gun violence in order to break cycles of violence and victimization. We Are Better Together Warren Daniel Hairston Project works with families of victims and offenders who want to take ownership of what’s happening in their homes and community and find pathways to healing. They provide community healing, as well as leadership and violence prevention planning to disrupt cycles of violence and trauma.
YOUTH JUSTICE & POWER UNION BOSTON, YJPU.ORG
Building up the leadership of people most impacted by systems of oppression. The Youth Justice & Power Union (YJPU) is an organization led by and centering Black and Brown youth in Boston. It was founded to build up the leadership of people most impacted by systems of oppression to be the leaders we know, want, and need them to be if oppression is going to be fought and won. The mission of YJPU is to build collective power to address systemic issues at the root happening in communities and confront them through organizing and direct action.
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Congratulations to all the Lenny Zakim Fund award recipients and thank you to the Lenny Zakim Fund for the amazing work it does to help organizations of all kinds grow and flourish in our community.
-DAVID AND BEN GROSSMAN
www.grossmanmarketing.com 46 | The Lenny Zakim Fund’s 26th Annual Awards Ceremony
25TH ANNUAL AWARDS CEREMONY | 35 |
GOOD
EMPOWERS Eastern Bank is committed to recognizing the good in our communities and celebrating the work of
THE LENNY ZAKIM FUND
26
TH
We proudly support the ANNUAL AWARDS CEREMONY
Member FDIC
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2021 LENNY ZAKIM FUND DONORS The Lenny Zakim Fund salutes our donors for their tremendous generosity and our grantee partners for their tireless efforts to advance social, economic, and racial justice within their communities.
Together, we have shown how through bridge building, responsiveness, and love - three of LZF’s seven core values - that the grassroots community can overcome the unprecedented challenges we’ve faced over these past two years. Your unshakable faith in and steadfast commitment to LZF inspires and propels us forward in our work in 2022.
THANK YOU.
Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Bridge $50,000 & Over
Bowstring Bridge $24,999 - $10,000
Anonymous
The Arbella Insurance Foundation
Barr Foundation
Frieze Family Foundation
The Hyams Foundation
Jamie Golden
The James Fox Charitable Fund
Timothy Harder
Caren Keller & David Boonshoft
Income Research + Management
The Klarman Family Foundation
Mark and Susan Irvings
The Krupp Family Foundation
John and Sonia Lingos Family Foundation
Temple B’Nai Israel
The Estate of Charlotte Kaitz
Cantilever Bridge $49,999 - $25,000 American Tower Corporation Cornerstone Charitable Foundation, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee Cummings Foundation, Inc. The Fish Family Foundation
The Krupp Foundation & Douglas and Judith Krupp Mr. Owl Foundation The Prospect Fund Bobby and Elaine Sager Santander Bank N.A. Amy and Robert Weinberg
Josephine and Louise Crane Foundation Suzan Kaitz & Jonathan Katz Glenn and Susan Rothman
48 | The Lenny Zakim Fund’s 26th Annual Awards Ceremony
2021 LENNY ZAKIM FUND DONORS Goldberg Family Multigenerational Suzanne Tye Goldberg and the Dorothy and Mauray J. Tye Family Foundation Tim and Barbara James Kenia Pineda Mark and Ellie Winthrop
Double Decker Bridge $2,499 - $1,000 Anonymous
Cable Bridge $9,999 - $5,000
Bob and Helen Alkon
Jennifer and Eric Aronson
Bank of America Charitable Foundation
Beth Dill & Eric Enge
Joan and Steve Belkin
Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation
Judy and Glenn Bell
Michael and Manisha Eckton
Ed Belove & Laura Roberts
Lisa Gordon & John Treadway
Susan and Edward Benford
Ellen and Kalman Heller The Kaitz Family of National Lumber
Bernie Robbins Jewelers, Inc., Maddy and Harvey Rovinsky
Joseph Savage
Sandra Bromfield
Rob Sherman & Joan Lenington
Terri and Alan Chebot
Ellie Starr
George Cohen & Yolanda Davila Cohen
Tao Jones Charitable Foundation, Joseph Deitch
Belden and Pamela Daniels
Winthrop Wealth Management
Jim Dittmar & Deborah Kay
Joyce Zakim & Peter Greenspan
Asmaa Donahue & Mahesh Aditya
Arch Bridge $4,999 - $2,500 Miki Akimoto Brian and Mary Carty Elizabeth De Lima & Bobby Alter Empire Loan Charitable Foundation Bob and Esta Epstein and Abbey Associates Facebook Payments Inc.
Carol Axelrod
Janice Ditchek & Glenn Rosenbloom
The Edgerley Family Foundation Steve and Lisa Frechette Deborah Frieze Sharona Halpern Lionel Harris The Harvard Lodge A.F. & A.M. Charity Fund Christian Hassold & Sandra Jordan Henry and Marilyn Taub Foundation, Mailyn Taub Sandy and Roz Hollander Richard Kaitz The Lenny Zakim Fund’s 26th Annual Awards Ceremony | 49
2021 LENNY ZAKIM FUND DONORS Double Decker Bridge $2,499 - $1,000 (Continued)
Covered Bridge $999 - $500
Sharon Kaitz & Jonathan Wilson
Jacques Abatto & David Goldman
Carol Knox & Phillipe Paul
Philip and Cathy Angellis
Celeste and David Lee
Mark and Margaret Batten
Dan Matthews & Genevieve Hammond
Josh Biren
Colleen McKiernan
Daniel Caine & Claire Socolovsky Caine
William McPherson
Henry and Mary Chidgey
Scot Miller
Dayl Cohen
Novack Family Foundation, Ken and Marianne Novack
Bruce and Mady Donoff
Joseph and Ciara Rodio
Betsy Feldman
Bob and Gabriela Romanow
Bruce and Kathie Fieldman
Linda Schwabe
Frank Friedman & Sarah Kianovsky
James and Pamela Schwartz
Iris Goldman
Steven Shulman & Debra S. Yanofsky
Jude Goldman & Ed Braverman
Mark and Marjie Sokoll
Robert Gonzalez
State Street Foundation, Inc. Larry Stifler & Mary McFadden
Greenberg Foundation of Sioux City, Amy and Scott Sachnoff, Elise and Howard Kreisberg
Edwin Urena
Steve and Barbara Grossman
Michael Whouley & Sally Kerans
Patrick Hogan & Tess Sager Hogan
Betsy Woolf & Clifford Wolf
Dennis and Carol Kanin
Josh and Grace Zakim
Lisa Kessler
Edward and Judi Zuker
Lori and Eric Lander
David Stein & Elizabeth March
Matt Epstein & Deborah Hiatt
Richard Lapchick & Ann Pasnak Ira Lefkowitz Geoffrey Lewis & Amy Caplan Josh and Jessica Lutzker Maria Mulkeen Charlayne Murrell-Smith & Kenneth Smith Robert and Leslie Ogan Joshua Pinnolis Maureen and John Pistorio
50 | The Lenny Zakim Fund’s 26th Annual Awards Ceremony
2021 LENNY ZAKIM FUND DONORS Covered Bridge $999 - $500 (Continued) Dian Quinn James Rapoport & Susan Carty Rapoport Alison Roche Robert and Iris Fanger Family Foundation, Bob and Iris Fanger Sandra and Allan Ropper Glenn Rothfeld & Margaret Ann McKinnies Jon and Margaret Saphier Steven Schlang & Laurie Mass Beth Segers William and Ruth Shelley Eric Sneider The Grand Lodge of Masons in Massachusetts Michael Thornton Loren Van Allen Joel and Felicia Vargas Herbert and Andrea Wheeler Shari Zakim-Yacouby & Phil Yacouby
Divya Chaturvedi Rich and Debby Cole Kizzmekia Corbett Ken Cowan Lilee Dethchan-Manibusan Frank and Nancy Dimella Michael and Kitty Dukakis East Boston Savings Bank Thompson Easterwood Stephanie Everett Marla Felcher & Max Bazerman Steven and Linda Gelda
Stone Bridge $499 - $250
Mitchell A. and Barbara S. Glazier
Anonymous (2)
Carol Goss
Jane D. Adolph
Les Greenberg
Farzam Afshar
Susan Grieco & Chris Karrenberg
AmazonSmile
Sue Heilman
Lorrie Anderson
Lumas Helaire
Benjamin B. and Natalie O. Levin Foundation, Jerry Levin
Felicia Heywood
Diane and Fred Berk
Peter and Maddy Jacobson
Jerry and Grace Bird
Michael Jones
Jay Blitzman & Sandra Jaffe
Trudy and Barry Karger
Gordon and Marjorie Bloom, The Marjorie W. Bloom Trust
Florence Koplow
Ruthven Bonaparte
Juana Lemus
Rich and Lori Goldman
Sol and Jackie Israel
Harris and Paul Krupp
The Lenny Zakim Fund’s 26th Annual Awards Ceremony | 51
2021 LENNY ZAKIM FUND DONORS Fredi and Jack Shonkoff Jordan Smith Robert and Elizabeth Smith James and Susan Snider Tom and Anne Snyder Alan and Laurie Starr Emy Takinami Todd and Jill Tsakiris Moshe and Anne Waldoks
Stone Bridge $499 - $250 (Continued)
Bill and Jean Whitney
Arlene and Richard Levin
Kyle Williams
John and Kristin Macomber
Deena Zakim & Jesse Chebot
Joe and Kellie Martin Riane McCarthy Susan McCoy Valerie Morano Jennifer Musso Kelly and Matthew Kelly Rory Neuner Ayo Oshinaike Yvette Philip Allison Picott & Michael Goldstein Fatima Pineda Kurt and Arlene Pressman Kenneth Preuss Robin and Bob Rabinowitz Peter Roblin Andrea Roman & Thomas Gloria Theresa Roy Jeffrey and Cheryl Sacks Ronald and Mardena Shader Risa Shames & Neil Silverston Joel and Bonnie Shelkrot Laura Sherman
James and Margery Wieder
Foot Bridge $249 - $100 Paul and Mary Adler Diane Aifer Arthur Almeda Jeff Aron Carl and Andrea Axelrod Rosemary Aylward Alice and Michael Baker Leon Baldwin Rachel Berger Leonard Bernstein Lynnette Best Anthony Billups The Bird Family Derek Bird Blackbaud Giving Fund Bright Funds Foundation Franca Brilliant Mark and Andrea Brodin Janet Buhlmann
52 | The Lenny Zakim Fund’s 26th Annual Awards Ceremony
2021 LENNY ZAKIM FUND DONORS Foot Bridge $249 - $100 (Continued)
Kelly Fantegrossi
Catherine Burkey
Caitlin Fitzgerald
Michael and Marie Byrne
Marshall Forstein
Nuria Campos
Colleen Galle
Jill Carrier
Arnold and Susan Garelick
Roger Cassin
Howard and Joan Gelpey
Martin and Judy Charns
Jeffrey Gelpey
Gaetano and Deborah Cipriano
Julia Gittleman & Tom Mendelsohn
Allan and Kathleen Cohen
Amy and James Golov
Sheena Collier
Clark Goodwin
Kaleigh Conway
Mark and Janet Gottesman
Paul Cooperstein
James Gubitosi
Jeanne Cutrona
Lariza Guererro
Allen and Carole Davis
Leigh Handschuh
Diego Depetris
Angel Harris
Alan Dershowitz & Carolyn Cohen
Helena Hartnett
Charan Devereaux
Laura Henry
Alice-Marie Dill
Maritza Hernandez
Ed and Sheila Doctoroff
Mark Higgins & Sarah Stroupe
Marvin and Marilyn Eichner
Neil Hodes & Beth Neiman
Mitchell and Deborah Eininger
Joseph and Barbara Hollander
Peter and Maria Eliopoulos
James Humphrey
Eric Esteves
Jeff Hunt
Jason Esteves
Joan Hutchinson
Nancy Falchuk
Drew Hyman
Jamie Farrell & Alex Gerasev
Edmund Ingalls Carla and Barry Jentz Donna and Marty Kalikow Evan Karzhevsky William Kasel Sherry Katz & Mark Farber Elisabeth Keller Robert and Barbara Keller
The Lenny Zakim Fund’s 26th Annual Awards Ceremony | 53
2021 LENNY ZAKIM FUND DONORS Ana Mejia Bruce Miller Julie Montgomery Gabriella Mora Judith Moran Edmund Mroz & Celia Shapiro Neighborhood of Affordable Housing, Phil Giffee Ross Neisuler Susan O’Connor
Foot Bridge $249 - $100
Allen Palmer & Nancy Feingold-Palmer (Continued)
Mark Kiefer Phyllis and Marc Kirschner Julianna Kremer David Krieger & Susan Musinsky Peter Kutchukian Martin and Janice Labell Jesse Leavitt Gene and Katherine Lee Katherine Lehner Thomas Levenson Roberta and Alan Leviton Gregory Loan Carl and Naomi Lopkin Michel Maalouly Frederika Macmillan William and Janette Mandell Lilly Marcelin Marie Maurice Rebecca McCullough Curt McDowell Trisha McGady
Pampered Chef Elkin Pereanez Pat Perry Joel Piton Eileen and Howard Putter Marchelle and James Raynor Janice Reagan & Wally Taylor Ingrid Rivas Jeffrey Rogers Paul Salemi Elizabeth Saltonstall Pamela Sargent Jonathan Sarna & Ruth Langer David and Suzanne Schuller Amy Seeherman & Leslie Brody Deborah Seidel Lori and Larry Seller Josh Silverman Samuel Silverman Susan and Steve Silverstein Dawneca Simpson Gary and Lynne Smith
54 | The Lenny Zakim Fund’s 26th Annual Awards Ceremony
2021 LENNY ZAKIM FUND DONORS Foot Bridge $249 - $100
Bill Watson Donald Watson
(Continued)
Tracy Smith
Lesley Weiss
Jack Sommers
Donald Wertlieb & Lorre Beth Polinger
Matthew and Dana Starr
Patrick Wetherille
Paul Summergrad & Randy Glassman
Keith and Elizabeth Wexelblatt
Brenda Suppa
Mariama White-Hammond
Neil and Denise Swidey
Jan Whitted
Donna Tehel
Jeffrey and Robyn Winik
TIAA
Jerry Wishnow & Pei Pei Wu
Gerald and Elizabeth Tishler
Anki Wolf
Susan Tofias
Barbara Wolf
Keith and Susan Tornheim
Jeff Wulfson & Melissa Langa
Shane Tutwiler
Jill York
Mileidy Umana
Howard Zaharoff & Deborah Whitehill
Phyllis Vernick
Jack and Lydia Zakim
Christopher Viklund
Anne Zbar
Jennifer and Alex Wade
Margo and Mark Zelermyer
Mark Walsh
The Lenny Zakim Fund’s 26th Annual Awards Ceremony | 55
THANK YOU TO THE LENNY ZAKIM FUND AND TO YOUR 2022 GRANTEE PARTNERS FOR ALL THE GREAT WORK YOU DO IN THE COMMUNITY. JOHNSON O’CONNOR FERON & CARUCCI LLP
56 | The Lenny Zakim Fund’s 26th Annual Awards Ceremony
SAVE THE DATES PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS AND JOIN THE LENNY ZAKIM FUND FOR:
126th Boston Marathon Monday, April 18, 2022 Team LZF Runners: Travis Dadoly and Kourtney Dillon
The Lenny Zakim Fund’s 2nd Annual Social Justice Scavenger Hunt • VIRTUAL EVENT Friday, June 17, 2022 thru Sunday, June 26, 2022
Untold Stories: Talkin’ About A Social Justice Revolution
Thursday, 6:00 p.m. September 22, 2022 Royal Sonesta Boston Cambridge, MA
Thursday, November 17, 2022 THE LENNY ZAKIM FUND’S
No Show Ball 2022
ONLINE EVENT
The Lenny Zakim Fund’s 26th Annual Awards Ceremony | 57
Speaking for justice. DLA Piper is proud to support the Lenny Zakim Fund, and we are honored to serve as the fund’s home and its partner, providing pro bono legal services to its many grantee organizations as it works to achieve its mission of social change and equity.
dlapiper.com 58 | The Lenny Zakim Fund’s 26th Annual Awards Ceremony Eric Christofferson, 33 Arch Street, 26th Floor, Boston, MA 02110 | Attorney Advertising | MRS000183144