UMass Boston

Chancellor Suárez-Orozco Named one of Boston’s Most Influential Men of Color


04/13/2023| Crystal Valencia

Chancellor Marcelo Suárez-Orozco has been named to Get Konnected! Boston’s 100 Most Influential Men of Color list.

Marcelo Suárez-Orozco

“ I am honored to be a part of this distinguished group of changemakers who are moving Boston forward. ”

The Most Influential Men of Color list honors culturally diverse Boston-area leaders who have distinguished themselves in academia, arts and culture, business, philanthropy and social justice, healthcare and life sciences, diversity, equity and inclusion, and other fields. It was established by networking group Get Konnected! and Colette Phillips Communications, Inc., both founded and led by Colette Phillips.

The honorees were celebrated at an event on March 28, also commemorating the 15th anniversary of Get Konnected!.

“I am honored to be a part of this distinguished group of changemakers who are moving Boston forward,” said Chancellor Suárez-Orozco. “I congratulate each of the honorees and applaud this well-deserved public recognition for men of color in and their incredible contributions to our city.”

Chancellor Suárez-Orozco joins a list of prominent honorees that includes former governor Deval Patrick; Scott Uzzell, CEO of Converse; Quincy Miller, president of Eastern Bank; E. LaBrent Chrite, president of Bentley University; Robert E. Johnson, president of Western New England University; and Carl Rodrigues, CEO of Harvard Allston Land Company, as well as Imari Paris Jeffries ’97, G’99, G’03, current PhD candidate, UMass trustee, and executive director of Embrace Boston, and former chancellor J. Keith Motley, who is now serving as a distinguished professor in UMass Boston’s College of Management.

“Boston is now regarded as one of the most culturally diverse cities in America, with 140 languages spoken and 1 in 4 Bostonians foreign-born,” said Phillips. “Today, there are more people of color, and in particular men of color, leading major organizations and institutions than at any other time in Boston's history.” 

“The Get Konnected! list should serve as a strong reminder of the positive contributions men of color are making to our vibrant city, state, and region.”

Chancellor Suárez-Orozco also landed on Get Konnected!’s Regional List of 50 Most Influential People of Color in Higher Education in 2021.

Watch the list unveiling and a panel discussion on YouTube.