Malo Brown uses his role in politics to advocate for his community

MassLive recently asked readers to identify people they consider Black leaders in Massachusetts, working to make a difference in politics, education, business, the arts or another area of interest.

Profiles of these leaders will be published leading up to the Juneteenth holiday on June 19. 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.

Malo Brown

Age: 51

Community: Springfield

His story: Malo Brown has always been involved in supporting and advocating for his community. Since the age of 12, Brown was selected to be an honorary city council member. Since then, the experience sparked a passion in him to become an advocate and activist for his home city, he told MassLive.

At 18, he became a founding member of an organization called A.W.A.K.E. that helps to provide guidance, structure, safety and knowledge to at risk youth in Springfield.

Through his experiences, his most recent field of work has found him in a political role for the past six years as a City Councilor and a candidate for State Senate of the Hampden District.

As Chief of Staff for State Representative Bud L. Williams, Brown writes legislation to ensure that Springfield residents are receiving necessary funding and support from Capital Hill in Boston, he said.

Likewise, as a Springfield City Councilor, Brown works with the Mayor’s office and state and federal officials in order to improve the quality of life for people in Springfield. This includes securing funding for building new schools and parks, coaching youth sports and supporting older people and veterans within the community, he said.

In his words: “Always be able to listen and hear what people are saying to you. To be empathetic to what concerns they have or what is happening in their lives. Never overlook anyone in their day to day lives, because everyone makes a difference and everyone matters.”

We’re always open to hearing about more inspiring people. If you’d like to suggest someone else who should be recognized, please fill out this form.

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