LYNN — Thirty-six-year-old Ernst Jean-Jacques Jr. had always been an active member of his community. Working in the human services field in the Lynn area, he assisted with early and middle high school education as well as students with disabilities.
But something happened in the spring of 2020 that inspired him to do more. “Since the tragic and unjust murder of George Floyd, I have been pounding the pavement with fellow Black and Brown folk, allies and accomplices as we continue to fight for equality and social justice,” Jean-Jacques said.
Now, the North Shore Juneteenth Association will recognize his work. On Feb. 4, Jean-Jacques will join 13 other persons of color from Lynn, Revere, and Salem to be honored for their achievements in their careers and communities at Lynn City Hall.
The event, which will kick off at 6:30 p.m., is billed as a celebration of Local Black Excellence. It will honor past and present recipients with a banner that will be displayed in City Hall for the entirety of Black History Month.
“We want to instill pride in our community and dispel stereotypes about Black Americans and those from the African Diaspora,” a press release for the event states. “Various cultures have made positive contributions and continue to support our community in positive ways.”
In doing so, Local Black Excellence honors the past. “We want to honor Black people in the past by celebrating those who have achieved things that their ancestors could have only dreamed about,” said Nicole McClain, councilor-at-large and president of North Shore Juneteenth Association.
That is certainly true for fellow honoree Tania Freedman. “I was born into a Caribbean culture that defied gravity and allowed for no excuses,” she said. “I stand as a representative of my African/Haitian roots. I thank both my mother and grandmother for teaching me the importance of faith and courage. I am the fruit of their labor.”
Freedman has worked in human services for 30 years, assisting people of all backgrounds and ages. “This experience was a gift,” she added. “It provided an opportunity to work with many people from around the world. I was able to learn about myself through the eyes of others.”
For Michael Corley, that same effort is as much local as it is global. As student government president at Salem State University, Corley helped build coalitions of students to advocate for the university to engage with the Massachusetts tribe to develop land acknowledgment as well as a scholarship for indigenous students pursuing their education there.
“Both of these accomplishments showed me the power of restorative justice and the coalitions one needs to build in order to advocate for these changes,” Corley said.
Jessica Chiappini brought that same sense of justice to her role of Lynn Parking Director, where she served as the first Black woman to run the department. In her role, she says she boosted morale, diversified her team and sought to make parking communications accessible and proactive.
“I have witnessed her work with people who are in dire situations beyond their control, including folks who are being negatively impacted due to parking fees,” McClain said of Chiappini’s work.
Other honorees, like Dr. Lourenço Garcia, have championed anti-racist policies from positions of authority. Garcia serves as assistant superintendent and chair of the Equity Advisory Board of the Revere Public Schools, where he has strived to implement systemic change.
“Dr. Garcia’s leadership, passion, and humility make him a beacon of inspiration, driving meaningful change and paving the way for future generations,” his citation for the honor reads. “For these reasons, he is an outstanding candidate for recognition by the North Shore Juneteenth Association.”
North Shore Juneteenth will also honor two local pastors. Gina Tillotson-Cordy, who serves as lead pastor of the Lynn First Church of the Nazarene, makes her religious message manifest through the work of the Essex County Community Organization (ECCO) and their campaign to address housing costs in the region.
And Minister Brenda Reed-Womack, a member of Zion Baptist Church, co-chairs ECCO and was recently appointed by Mayor Jared C. Nicholson to the Lynn Citizens Advisory Board. “Even in retirement,” her citation reads, “she continued to provide to those in need.”
Jasmine Graddy, another nominee who recently became a licensed counselor, remains committed to working with youth through the North Shore Community Development Coalition. Louise Dominique channels a similar mission through her work the Lynn Disabilities Commission, where she is committed to creating inclusive and accessible spaces.
Other nominees include Audrey Jimenez; former North Shore NAACP President Clarance W. Jones; Girl Scouts mentor Lillie Jones; football coach Kashawn Little, who aided in getting the Family first Prevention Services Act passed in 2018; and Ralph Edwards, founding member of Swampscott Unites, Respects and Embraces (S.U.R.E).
Join these outstanding high achievers at City Hall on Tuesday for an evening of celebration.
