Karine Jean-Pierre is the former Press Secretary and Senior Advisor to President Joseph R.Biden, Jr. She is the first Black person and first openly queer person to serve as the White House Press Secretaryand is the longest serving female in this role. Karine is a long-time advisor to President Biden, having served in senior communications and political roles in the Biden Administration, the Biden campaign, and in the Obama Administration. Prior to her role on the campaign, she served as Chief Public Affairs Officer for MoveOn.org and was an NBC and MSNBC Political Analyst.
Jean-Pierre served as Regional Political Director for the White House Office of Political Affairs during the Obama-Biden administration and as Deputy Battleground States Director for President Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign.
She served as Southeast Regional Political Director for President Obama’s 2008 campaign,Deputy Campaign Manager for Martin O’Malley for President, Campaign Manager for the ACLU’s Reproductive Freedom Initiative, and Deputy Chief of Staff and Director of Legislative and Budget Affairs for two members in the New York City Council.
Previously, Karine worked at the Center for Community and Corporate Ethics, pushing major companies to change their business practices. She is the author of her memoir titled Moving Forward: A Story of Hope, Hard Work, and the Promise of America. Born in Martinique and raised in New York, Jean-Pierre is a graduate of Columbia University.
Shaplaie Brooks, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Youth, is a passionate advocate for marginalized communities, drawing from her extensive experience in social services and child welfare. With over a decade in the child welfare system and a background as a system-involved youth, she has dedicated her career to creating an equitable environment for vulnerable populations, particularly cisgender boys, transgender, and nonbinary youth affected by Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC). Shaplaie has actively participated in coalitions, contributed to law enforcement guidelines, and trained various state agencies to enhance their response to these issues. As the owner of Beyond DEI, LLC, she has collaborated with numerous nonprofits to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion. Her leadership roles, including Chairwoman of the NAACP's New England Region LGBTQ Committee and a member of the Governor’s Council on Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence, highlight her commitment to advocacy. Recognized with multiple awards for her work with black and brown youth and for her ongoing dedication, Shaplaie continues to strive for positive change in her community
Jordina Shanks is Fenway Health’s CEO. She joined Fenway as Chief Operating Officer in 2021 and then served as Interim CEO before being appointed as CEO. Shanks brings over 20 years of experience designing and overseeing operational systems across primary care, specialty, and non-clinical areas that have enabled effective and efficient delivery of quality clinical care. Prior to joining Fenway, Shanks was Chief Operating Officer at Mattapan Community Health Center, where she held broad strategic responsibility across all departments and served as the compliance officer.
Shanks is a nurse and a healthcare systems expert who has designed and implemented numerous initiatives that increase patient and provider satisfaction, sustain profitability, and improve safety and quality. She employs a data-driven approach to assessing issues and concerns, encourages innovative solutions and holds racial and health equity at the center of all business decisions.
Cornelius Baker was a passionate advocate for HIV/AIDS prevention and public health, whose career spanned decades of groundbreaking work. Starting early in his career, he combined editorial flair as an arts editor for the Washington City Paper with a deep commitment to LGBTQ movements, raising funds for local organizations. His talent for public administration blossomed during his time as an executive assistant to D.C. City Council member Carol Schwartz, paving the way for influential roles in government.
By 1989, Baker was making significant contributions at the national level, joining the White House Presidential Personnel Office under President George H. W. Bush and later serving at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. His role as Confidential Assistant to the Assistant Secretary for Health from 1989 to 1992 allowed him to influence national AIDS programs at a critical time.
In 1992, Baker transitioned to a leadership role at the National Association of People with AIDS, eventually becoming its executive director. There, he helped launch National HIV Testing Day on June 27, a pivotal initiative aimed at normalizing testing and integrating it into routine healthcare. His commitment to enhancing access to care continued with his tenure as executive director of the Whitman-Walker Clinic from 1999 to 2004, even as he navigated personal health challenges.
Baker's expertise was sought in various capacities as he served as an adviser to the National Black Gay Men’s Advocacy Coalition and contributed to global HIV/AIDS efforts through the U.S. Department of State's Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator and other prestigious organizations. His influence extended to the National Institutes of Health's Office of AIDS Research and the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS, while he also sat on the boards of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation. Throughout his career, Cornelius Baker remained a steadfast and compassionate leader, dedicated to transforming HIV/AIDS policy and care on both national and global stages.
Dr. Cassandra Pierre is an Assistant Professor at the Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, the Medical Director of Public Health Programs and the Associate Hospital Epidemiologist at Boston Medical Center and the Chair of the Diversity and Inclusion Council. Supported by state and local public health agencies, the Public Health Programs provide resources for HIV, HCV and STI prevention, linkage to care and management throughout the hospital. Her research is focused on infection prevention in vulnerable population (including the implementation of low-cost infection control interventions to reduce bacteremia among neonates in low-income settings) Her clinical interests include HIV management in special subpopulations (immigrants of color, pregnant women, transactional sex workers and people with substance use). She is Haitian-American, the mother of twin boys and a Dorchester resident.
Living Water is a dynamic and spirit-filled gospel group celebrated for their powerful sound, captivating performances, and heartfelt ministry. Founded in 2006 by Gary Lyon, this anointed ensemble has made a strong impact throughout Boston and the surrounding area, bringing a fresh yet authentic sound that resonates across communities and generations.
From the very beginning, Living Water has been driven by a clear and unwavering mission—to glorify God and lead others into His presence through music. With a unique blend of rich harmonies, powerful vocals, and soul-stirring lyrics, they deliver more than just a performance—they offer an experience of worship, encouragement, and transformation.
At the core of everything they do is a deep love for God and a commitment to sharing His truth. Living Water considers it both a privilege and a responsibility to serve as vessels of hope, using their musical gifts to uplift the body of Christ and reach those in need of healing, inspiration, and a reminder of God's faithfulness. Their ministry continues to touch lives throughout local churches, conferences, and community events, leaving a lasting impact everywhere they go. With an undeniable stage presence, authentic worship, and a message rooted in faith, Living Water stands as a powerful voice in the Boston gospel scene—and one you don’t want to miss.
Candace Nguyen (she/her) is a Vietnamese Trans woman who is a Boston local. She was born and raised in Dorchester, being the first one of her family to be born in the US. She is a graduate of UMass Boston with an individualized major in Asian American Studies.
Candace is most known for her performing in the drag scene in Boston as Candace Persuasian where she co created a show with an all trans cast at Jacques Cabaret, the oldest LGBTQ+ establishment in the US.
Candace has also been deeply involved with working in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ) community. She started off at MAP for Health, which is an organization that is dedicated to improving AAPI sexual health education on topics such as HIV and STDs. Candace has also worked with the Boston Alliance of GLTBQ Youth(BAGLY), Fenway Health, and Massachusetts General Hospital helping Trans and Gender Non Binary folks to get Gender Affirming Surgery to serving as a Community Relations Specialist for the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ+ Advancement (MOLA) working on Queer issues and advocating for brave spaces in the city that she loves so much. Candace's current role in the city is one of the executive assistants for the Environment Cabinet.
Candace even cameoed in Beyoncé’s Renaissance film after Beyoncé read her sign that says Trans is Beautiful in a sold out stadium which led her to be featured on PinkNews, Billboard, GayTimes and more. Candace has worked with BAGLY, Fenway Health, and Mass General Hospital. She was the recipient of the 2022 Trans Excellence Award presented to her by the Mass Trans Political Coalition.
Denise is so excited to be using the power of poetry to positively bring people together one poem at a time! She is the Founder, CEO and Curator of her #Pop-Up Poetry Series, A Denise Plays Hard. #Pop-Up Poetry Series, A Denise Plays Hard Event, is a movement that has been popping up for 8 years around the City of Boston and beyond, creating a safe and non-judgmental spaces for all people to breathe, listen, recite and enjoy poetry! Denise opened for KRS-One at the Black Market, Buy Back Your Block in Nubian Square. Her Poem, “A Quilt of Greatness” was made into a short-film and was selected to have a screening in The 2022 Roxbury International Film Festival. She was born and raised in Roxbury, MA; is a METCO graduate of Lincoln -Sudbury Regional High School, an Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts Alum, a voice student of the late John Andrew Ross, a Mentee of the late Ed Bullins and is a New England Poetry Club Advisory Board Member. She holds a MS in Early Childhood Education from Wheelock College and a BS from Emerson College in Television Production/Creative Writing.
Karine Jean-Pierre is the former Press Secretary and Senior Advisorto President Joseph R.Biden, Jr. She is the first Black person and first openly queer person to serve as the White House Press Secretaryand is the longest serving female in this role. Karine is a long-time advisor to President Biden, having served in senior communications and political roles in the Biden Administration, the Biden campaign, and in the Obama Administration. Prior to her role on the campaign, she served as Chief Public Affairs Officer for MoveOn.org and was an NBC and MSNBC Political Analyst.
Jean-Pierre served as Regional Political Director for the White House Office of Political Affairs during the Obama-Biden administration and as Deputy Battleground States Director for President Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign.
She served as Southeast Regional Political Director for President Obama’s 2008 campaign,Deputy Campaign Manager for Martin O’Malley for President, Campaign Manager for the ACLU’s Reproductive Freedom Initiative, and Deputy Chief of Staff and Director of Legislative and Budget Affairs for two members in the New York City Council.
Previously, Karine worked at the Center for Community and Corporate Ethics, pushing major companies to change their business practices. She is the author of her memoir titled Moving Forward: A Story of Hope, Hard Work, and the Promise of America. Born in Martinique and raised in New York, Jean-Pierre is a graduate of Columbia University.
Liz Page is being bestowed with the Bayard Rustin Breakfast Community Recognition Award. This special acknowledgment is to honor the many years she continues to help raise money for nonprofits in the Boston area and around New England to keep their doors open and maintain the important work at hand.
Liz was instrumental in establishing the first AIDS Walk, From All Walks of Life 30+ years ago. This landmark event has raised more money than any other fundraiser for AIDS Action Committee, now a division of Fenway Health. The iteration of this walk, now known as Strides for Action, maintains a symbolic quality she initiated to raise not only money for resources but consciousness around our fight against HIV/AIDS.
This is also a milestone year for the Liz Page Associates which embodies a credible name for itself for shoring up so many organizations. Through Liz Page Associates, the standout events she sponsors ignites passion and creates results. The philanthropy, charity and general good her firm establishes has a unique and successful mark in New England.
Liz took a very pivotal step to galvanize public awareness about HIV/AIDS. We are forever grateful for her level of activism during a very turbulent time in our lives. Liz’s courageous stance and commitment to the cause is why she was chosen for this award. Liz made us all more intentional in our fight against HIV/AIDS.
Liz is a conqueror. She is breast cancer survivor, wife, mother and a dedicated and savvy business person. In all these capacities, Liz epitomes the spirit of never giving up and allows passion to guide her through this inspiring life she shares with many!
For more than three decades, Casa Esperanza has been studying the impact of addiction and mental illness on the Latino community in Massachusetts and examining what motivates a client to get help; what it takes for them to stay engaged in care long enough to meet their treatment goals; and how to support them in building a life in recovery that works for them and their family.
Casa Esperanza has five primary programs that support and meet the unique long term needs of people in recovery: Clinical Stabilization Services (Conexiones), Residential Services (Casa Esperanza Men’s Program and the Latinas y Niños Center), Familias Unidas Outpatient Program, and the Supportive Housing Program, all utilizing a client-centered integrated care approach to treatment and service delivery. Casa Esperanza’s programs focus on the unique cultural and social needs of Latinos in recovery, promoting positive roles as a nurturing parent, supportive partner and friend, and contributing community member.
These programs help people heal from trauma and abuse; establish and maintain healthy relationships; grieve lost loved ones; develop critical thinking, conflict resolution, and health-management skills; exchange unhealthy behaviors for healthy behaviors; and secure essential resources including housing, health insurance and other benefits, education, and employment to sustain recovery and achieve independence.
Jim began working as a volunteer in 1991 at the local AIDS Service Organization ASO in Portsmouth New Hampshire called AIDS Response Seacoast. He helped out answering phones, working with the development department in fundraising and with client services, providing transportation and other client support. That same year he was offered a position as a part time case manager with the agency, assisting people living with HIV/AIDS navigate the complicated health and human service programs, and connecting them with healthcare providers, medications, drug trials etc. Jim spent a great deal of his time bringing clients to Boston to access their health care, get medications, enroll in drug trials, as well as mental health services.
He worked around the clock and eventually went full time with a case load of more than 100 Clients. He describes this time as being a tough time where we were still losing a lot of people to AIDS in the mid to late 90’s. In the fall of 1997 after 6 years of working as a case manager he decided it was time to go back to college to get his MSW so I could go to the next level. He moved to Boston and got a job at a bank and started taking night courses at UMASS Boston. He went to brunch one Sunday at Club Café and was told to apply for a serving position. He started at Club Café in November of 1997 and immediately loved the job and the people he worked with. There was an underlying culture of giving back to the community fostered by Frank Ribaudo, whether it was the sports teams or partnering with the local nonprofits to assist with fundraising, Club Café was in it. Jim shares this as one of the best things that happened in his life.
It was one year later that he was asked to put together a team for the Boston to New York ride and met the amazing Michael Tye. It was at this point that he realized that both of his passions were coming together at Club Cafe. He loved the entertainment business, providing people a place to go and get away from the stresses of day-to-day life. After doing the Boston to New York rides for 5 years and raising an average of $35-$40 thousand a year only to have a good 50%-65% go to overhead an idea was born.
Harbor to the bay was the idea of Michael Tye at one of their last fundraising parties for the Boston to New York ride. He wanted a one day ride from Boston to Provincetown and a huge party at the end where they could give back 100% of rider raised pledges. The ride would be an all volunteer effort and they would get what they needed donated and if they could not get it donated or afford to purchase it they would have to live without. It was one year later in February of 2003 that Frank Ribaudo, Michael Healy, Michael Tye, and Jim would come together and start Harbor to the Bay. The first year they had 48 riders and 125 crew members and were able to raise $125,000 of which $125,000 was given to Fenway Health and AIDS Support Group Cape Cod. Today, 21 years later, they have raised in excess of $7.1 million and have held true to their mission of giving back 100% to charity. Jim says he feels, “blessed to have been in a position to work on this for 21 years and to have met and worked with so many other amazing people in our community. His life has been forever changed because of his volunteer work, whether providing comfort and support to someone about to die, or organizing an event that brings people together for a common goal. He believes that we are all here to make a difference and to look out for one another and it brings him great joy to be in a position to do both.”
The BRCB is excited to have back cellist extraordinaire Sam Ou. He has played his stirring accompaniments for the In Memoriam for several years, and each time, it is such an empowering musical performance. Sam’s playing is felt in our hearts and is such a befitting homage to the many lives we honor.
Sam is a faculty member and assistant string chairperson at New England Conservatory’s (NEC) Preparatory School. Praised for his “impassioned performance” (Boston Globe) and playing with remarkable ease and clarity, while maintaining a graceful—if vociferous—line that fit well into the narrative” (The Boston Musical Intelligencer) cellist Sam Ou enjoys an active musical life in the Greater Boston area.
Sam completed his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Music degrees in New York from Columbia University and The Juilliard School in their double degree program. He moved to Boston to study with Laurence Lesser at New England Conservatory, where he graduated with a Doctorate of Musical Arts. While a student at NEC, Sam founded the NEC String Trio, which won the NEC Honors Ensemble Competition, was featured on Boston’s WGBH radio station, and was the resident chamber ensemble at Musicorda Music Festival. Sam has played at several prestigious summer venues including Tanglewood, Sarasota, Santa Fe, and La Jolla music festivals.
Sam Ou brings such joy and passion to his playing. We are fortunate his music is helping us to never forget those who have gone on. In fact, the melodic and uplifting selections he plays keep the memories of our honored souls etched in our minds.
Amanda Shea is a two-time Boston Music Award-winning Spoken Word Artist. Shea is an artist, performer, educator, artivist, publicist, host, and curator. She co-founded and curated six iterations of Activating ARTivism, a community festival to amplify POC through art, activism, and resistance. Her work can be found in the Museum of Fine Arts, The Boston Globe, TEDX, TEDXRoxbury, Netflix, Prime Video, BBC News, GBH, and much more. Shea will be releasing her first book, “Pieces of Shea” in the Spring of 2024. Amanda’s work examines her personal life experiences, social justice issues, and healing through trauma utilizing art as the tool.
Boston Children’s Chorus harnesses the power of music to connect our city’s diverse communities, cultivate empathy, and inspire social inquiry. Boston Children’s Chorus’s vibrant, jubilant, and powerful performances have established them as leading young artists in the city of Boston and beyond. Internationally recognized for their innovative programming, passionate artistry, and ability to connect to audiences, Boston Children’s Chorus showcases the talent and passion of the diverse young people of our city. Each year, BCC selects a theme for its upcoming season, and this year’s, “True Colors,”. This season, the singers of Boston Children’s Chorus (BCC) will explore what it means to courageously uplift, center, and value LGBTQIA+ identities, be it through self-love or brave allyship. Through song and spoken word, BCC singers will take inspiration from LGBTQIA+ activists to highlight local and national civil rights movements.
BLACK by Boston Lesbigay Urban Foundation, LGBTQ+ Elders of Color, Amir Dixon and Amanada Shea.
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