WBUR has announced its inaugural Community Honors Awards, celebrating five exemplary local leaders whose impactful work is shaping the narrative of community service in Greater Boston.
Each of these award recipients is deeply invested in addressing pressing social issues facing their communities, demonstrating a commitment to change that resonates throughout the region.
**Hubie Jones**, a veteran community leader and activist, has been a transformative figure in Boston since he arrived in 1955.
His extensive involvement with organizations such as Higher Ground and City Year highlights his dedication to improving education and support services for marginalized communities.
Notably, his leadership at the Roxbury Multi-Service Center led to groundbreaking legislation in special and bilingual education, paving the way for a more inclusive educational system.
As the first African American dean of Boston University’s School of Social Work, Jones reflects on the substantial changes he has witnessed over the decades.
“Many things have happened that I never thought would happen,” Jones remarked, noting the recent election of Boston’s first Asian mayor.
He continued, “I never thought I’d live long enough to see an Asian mayor in Boston…We’ve come a great distance, but there’s still a great deal more to do.”
**Kate Gilbert**, the founder of the nonprofit Now + There, believes strongly in the power of art to build community.
Her organization, now known as the Boston Public Art Triennial, recently unveiled its first triennial, showcasing art installations that span eight neighborhoods in the city.
Gilbert emphasizes the importance of public art in rejuvenating societal engagement and sparking conversations around pressing issues.
“We are as a society on our phones and over-scheduled…and we just need those moments of wonder and excitement,” she explained.
Gilbert considers the role of artists in today’s chaotic political climate to be pivotal.
“Artists have such beautiful ways of helping us reorganize that chaos into ways that can help us understand the world,” she said, reiterating the necessity of engaging with contemporary art.
**Yi-Chin Chen**, who grew up in a challenging environment marked by neglect and violence, draws from her past to guide the mission of Friends of the Children–Boston, a nonprofit organization dedicated to mentoring at-risk youth.
As the executive director, Chen oversees a program that connects children with long-term, full-time mentors who commit to accompanying them through critical educational milestones from kindergarten to high school graduation.
“We’re consistent. We just keep showing up,” Chen stated, emphasizing the need for stability and support for young people facing challenges.
Through offering a safe space, she believes that the organization can preserve hope and encourage growth among the youth they serve.
**Connor Schoen**, a former Harvard undergraduate, pivoted his entrepreneurial vision for assisting homeless youth in the wake of the pandemic.
Originally intending to launch a cafe called Breaktime, which would provide job opportunities for young adults experiencing homelessness, Schoen adapted the concept as traditional retail became less feasible.
Instead, Breaktime now operates as an organization focused on placing individuals in various job sectors throughout Greater Boston.
In an exciting recent development, Schoen secured a five-story building downtown to serve as a hub for Breaktime’s services, making a strategic move amid a downturn in commercial real estate.
“The building allows us to create a one-stop shop for young adults, without trying to be the master of everything,” he said, emphasizing the organization’s focus on job training and financial security.
**Eneida Roman**, as the president and CEO of We Are ALX, is at the forefront of advancing the economic and political interests of the Latino community in Massachusetts.
With Hispanic/Latino workers comprising 60% of new jobs from 2014 to 2023, Roman recognizes the critical role this demographic plays in maintaining the state’s economic competitiveness.
Her organization aims to amplify Latino excellence and address disparities that exist in access to opportunities.
Roman points out that while many Latino entrepreneurs are successfully starting businesses, there is a significant gap in scaling these enterprises due to obstacles in securing loans and connections.
“We are amplifying Latino excellence because we know that talent is evenly distributed, but opportunity is not,” she asserted.
This focus on equity is pivotal as Roman highlights the urgent necessity of closing the wealth gap between Hispanic/Latino residents and their white counterparts.
Her philosophy underscores the broader notion that economic prosperity for the Latino community directly translates to the prosperity of Massachusetts and, by extension, America as a whole.
As WBUR honors these remarkable leaders, their stories encapsulate the spirit of resilience and the commitment to fostering positive change in Greater Boston and beyond.
image source from：https://www.wbur.org/news/2025/06/02/community-honor-winners-boston-wbur
