Massachusetts Governor’s Awards in the Humanities

Governor’s Awards in the Humanities

Don’t miss this year’s Governor’s Awards in the Humanities where we celebrate individuals who have enhanced civic life in the Commonwealth.

celebrating the humanities

Every year, the Governor’s Awards in the Humanities honors a select few individuals that have had a tremendous impact on the Commonwealth through their work in the humanities. Join us as we celebrate their commitments to education, civil and human rights, community development and philanthropy.

About this event

Meet this year’s
honorees

MartÍn Espada

for his work as a poet, editor, and essayist with a focus on using writing and storytelling to address pressing issues and reclaim historical narratives, including those of the Puerto Rican community in Massachusetts.

Jackie Jenkins-Scott

for her extensive career showcasing a steadfast dedication to utilizing the tools of the humanities and engaging in cross-disciplinary collaboration as a leader in higher education and public health.

Bob Rivers

for his contributions to the humanities and philanthropy by maintaining a strong emphasis on local community investment as CEO & Chair of Eastern Bank, while working throughout his career to champion social justice causes, especially LGBTQ+ rights, and motivating other business leaders to operate ethically.

Cheryll Toney Holley

for her ability to unite people through the strategic use of history, art, and cultural education with the goal of promoting social and economic justice for black and indigenous communities in Massachusetts, including work with the Nipmuc Women’s Health Coalition, Nipmuc Indian Development Corporation, the Hassanamisco Indian Museum, and the Worcester Black History Project.

Program schedule

6:00 pm
Self-guided museum tours available

6:30 pm
Cocktail reception begins in the pavilion

7:30 pm
Opening performances by:
Bomba de Aquí
Paul Oakley Stovall and Nicole Morris

7:45 pm
Awards program begins. Featured speakers include:

Yves Salomon-Fernández
Board Chair, Mass Humanities

Aaron Vega
Incoming Board Chair, Mass Humanities

Maura Healey
Governor of Massachusetts

Brian Boyles
Executive Director, Mass Humanities

Cheryll Toney Holley
Introduced by NEH Chair Shelley Lowe

(awards program continued)

Bob Rivers
Introduced by Quincy Miller

Imari Paris Jeffries
Board Member, Mass Humanities

David Tebaldi
President Emeritus, Mass Humanities

Jackie Jenkins-Scott
Introduced by Marita Rivero

Maria M. Wilson-Sepulveda
Clemente Student and Poet
Introduced by Toni McComb

Martín Espada
Introduced by Paul Mariani

8:45 pm
Closing performance by:
Floorlords

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

Thanks to the generous support of our sponsors, we can continue our work in making the humanities more accessible to all residents of Massachusetts. If you want to help continue this work, consider becoming a sponsor.Í

2024 sponsors

VISIONARY

luminary

Champion

John Burgess and Nancy Adams
James and Laura Burke
Ron and Colleen Hertel
Stephen and Darcy Immerman
K|B Private Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors
Meet Boston
Stephen Rosenfeld and Margot Botsford
Seyfarth Shaw LLC and Kristin McGurn

Benefactor

Clearbrook Fund at the Greater Worcester Community Foundation
Five Colleges, Inc.
John and Marie Dacey
Al and Sally Griggs
Jackie Jenkins-Scott
University of Massachusetts Amherst
New England Public Media
Vacovec, Mayotte and Singer LLP
Write the World

SUPPORTER

BlueHub Capital
Margaret Burnham
Elizabeth Duclos-Orsello
Ellen Dunlap
Embrace Boston
GBH
Bruce and Judy Grinnell
Lawrence R. Hott, Florentine Films/Hott Productions, Inc.
John F. Kennedy Library Foundation
Polly Longsworth
Oscar Malcolm
Imari Paris Jeffries
Proverb Agency
Marita Rivero
Yves Salomon-Fernández
David Tebaldi
Perry Wu and Grace Kao

sponsorship opportunities

All sponsors are recognized on the Mass Humanities website and social media, and in displays and announcements during the event.

Mass Humanities is dedicated to building meaningful relationships with our sponsors, and we offer employee engagement and other opportunities to collaborate throughout the year.

Contact Jill Brevik, Director of Development
jbrevik@masshumanities.org | 413-406-6870

The deadline to take full advantage of social posts and print ads is August 22, 2024.

laureate - $50,000

Recognition as 50th Anniversary Presenting Sponsor
Named in all event-related communications
Included in press releases and radio ads
Shout outs by event speakers from the podium
Prominent recognition on event signage
3 tables (30 guests)
10 social media posts
Double-page color ad in event program

This year, Laureate Sponsors will receive recognition at other 50th Anniversary events including three grantee convenings and community receptions in Boston, Worcester, and Holyoke.

Visionary - $25,000

Shout outs by event speakers from the podium
Prominent recognition on event signage
2 tables (20 guests)
5 social media posts
Full-page color ad in event program

Luminary - $10,000

1 table (10 guests)
3 social media posts
Full-page ad in event program

Champion - $5,000

1 table (10 guests)
2 social media posts
Half-page ad in event program

Benefactor - $2,500

Half table (5 guests)
1 social media post
Quarter-page ad

Supporter - $1,000

In honor of our 50th anniversary, we are seeking 50 donors to contribute $1,000 each.

Three event tickets
Recognition in program book
Membership in our Giving Circle for one year
Opportunity to participate in one of four private tours of an arts & culture organization with our executive director and members of our board

Our honorees are in good company

We’re excited to add this year’s honorees to an impressive list of individuals whose work in the humanities continue to inspire us.

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

Continuing
the work

Our programs invite people across Massachusetts to explore the humanities through thought-provoking courses and events that inspire reflection, discovery and conversation.

The Clemente Course in the Humanities

Clemente Course

The Clemente Course champions opportunities for Massachusetts residents from historically and systemically excluded communities to engage with, discuss and author stories and ideas about our democracy.

Learn More

Reading Frederick Douglass Together

Reading Frederick Douglass

Each year, Mass Humanities organizes and funds free public events where communities gather together to read and talk about Frederick Douglass’ influential address, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?”

Learn More

Smithsonian Museum on Main Street

Smithsonian Museum

We partner with small towns to bring the Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street (MoMs) to Massachusetts, with the goal of engaging small town audiences and revitalizing attention to rural communities.

Learn More

Mass Moments

Mass Moments explores significant moments in Massachusetts’ history. Researched and written by historians, this daily dose of history offers fresh angles on well-known events and uncovers details that may be new to you.

Learn More

2024 ceremony

Let’s do more good work together

The work we do wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of donors like you. Make a donation today and help build a better Massachusetts.

Governor’s Awards in the Humanities

celebrating the humanities

About this event

Meet this year’s honorees

Program schedule

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

2024 sponsors

VISIONARY

luminary

Champion

Benefactor

SUPPORTER

sponsorship opportunities

Our honorees are in good company

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

Continuing the work

The Clemente Course in the Humanities

Clemente Course

Reading Frederick Douglass Together

Reading Frederick Douglass

Smithsonian Museum on Main Street

Smithsonian Museum

Mass Moments

Mass Moments

2024 ceremony

Let’s do more good work together

stayconnected

Year

Grant Program

Amount

Meet this year’s
honorees

Continuing
the work

stay
connected