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.
Nicole CoakleySebastian Restrepo
Nicole Coakley
Age: 43
Community: Springfield
Her story: Nicole Coakley is a leader and activist in the Springfield area who focuses on education and youth issues but has a wide-reaching area of interest and influence.
Coakley was born in Springfield but grew up in Charleston, South Carolina, where she attended Garrett Academy of Technology and earned her cosmetology license and a scholarship to any South Carolina state university through the National Honor Society.
While completing her law degree in 1999, Coakley began working as a teaching assistant at Morris Professional Child Care Services in Springfield. Despite completing her degree, she decided to stay at the center, eventually working her way up to program director, which she said was one of the most meaningful positions she has held in her more than 20 years of experience in the early education field.
She has also worked as a lead organizer for several community and youth initiatives, such as Unity in the Community, which builds relationship between youth and law enforcement, and My Voice, My Story, My Future, a teen summit on gun violence held earlier this year.
“I’m a strong advocate for children and work closely with school and city officials to help make changes and better the lives of our youths in the community,” she said. “I enjoy spending family time but have an open arm for at-risk children. I’m committed to helping guide children in the right direction to becoming successful young men and women of society.”
Coakley said her dedication to community work began a few years ago when she began working as an administrator for Springfield Police Department’s Counter Criminal Continuum (C3) Policing program in Mason Square, a community policing initiative that aims to work with the community
“From then on, I never looked back,” she said. “My passion for public service was to become a resource connector to help everyone, regardless of where they were at in life.”
She has also worked at Springfield College as the assistant director of the Center for Service and Leadership and in 2023, she ran for Springfield City Council. She is now the chair of the Hampden County Commission on the Status of Women and Girls and a lead clinician and program supervisor at the Center for Human Development.
Coakley has spoken about pay equity for women, especially Black women, and access to affordable childcare for low-income women and families. She is a member of numerous charitable and leadership organizations, including the National Society of Leadership and Success, Chicopee Women of the Moose, Neighbor 2 Neighbor and Western Massachusetts Peace and Justice Coalition. She holds leadership positions or sits on the board of directors for even more, including Easterseals Massachusetts, The Performance Project, Pioneer Valley Row Club, Libertas Academy Charter School, Gun Violence Elimination Alliance, Digital Boombox Networks, Veritas Prep High School Advisory Board, Morris Open Pantry and the local branches of the American Red Cross and the YMCA.
Coakley is currently working on her doctorate of business administration and is writing her dissertation on women of color in leadership and the effects of work-life balance.
“My motto is ‘Raised up and pushed forward,’” she said.
In her words: “Be the change you want to see! Believe in yourself because no one will ever motivate you the way that you can motivate yourself. The road to success will not be easy, so never be afraid to ask for help.”
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.
