As we approach the Juneteenth holiday on June 19, MassLive asked readers and staff to identify people who are emerging Black leaders throughout the state, working to make a difference in their own area of interest, be it politics, education, business or the arts.
These are people our readers have identified as inspirational, who may be doing good acts for their communities. They are being recognized for their accomplishments, leadership and commitment to inspire change.
Each day, we will introduce more leaders, and we’re always open to hear about more inspiring people. If you’d like to suggest someone else who should be recognized, please fill out this form.
Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea J. Campbell meets with the MassLive team in Springfield on Tuesday, Apr. 4, 2023. (Hoang ‘Leon’ Nguyen / The Republican)
Andrea Joy Campbell
Age: 40
Community: Boston
Her story: Andrea Campbell was sworn in as attorney general on Jan. 18 after a historic Election Day last November when several women swept the highest offices in Massachusetts. Campbell, the first Black woman to become attorney general in Massachusetts, outlined an ambitious agenda for her four-year term and stated her office will prioritize housing issues, abortion rights and public safety.
Campbell has spent most of her post-graduate life working in public service and most recently served as a member of the Boston City Council for six years, from 2016 to 2022. After graduating with a law degree from the University of California at Los Angeles in 2009, she went on to work as a deputy legal counsel to then-Gov. Deval Patrick.
During Campbell’s second term on the City Council, she was elected to the position of president, becoming the first Black woman to hold the seat in Boston. After an unsuccessful run for Boston mayor in 2021, Campbell set sights for the attorney general’s office and won with 63% of the vote against Republican candidate James McMahon.
Campbell is married to her husband, Matt, is a mother of two children and lives in Mattapan.
In her words: “I have the best job, I don’t think just in the Commonwealth — in the nation — given the issues we’re talking about locally and nationally around children and the wellbeing of our kids, mental health, guns, reproductive justice, Supreme Court, affordability, and so much more. AGs (Attorney Generals) are going to be at the forefront of all those issues. So it’s an honor and a privilege.”
