MBLLC ANNOUNCES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AS FORMER E.D PURSUITS GRADUATE DEGREE

After 4.5 years of her dedicated work for the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus (MBLLC), Sibusisiwe Malaba is moving on to complete a prestigious fellowship in New York. Sibusisiwe, affectionately referred to as Sibu, used her time as Executive Director to nurture relationships across all communities in Massachusetts. It was those strong relationships that allowed her to effectively lead the MBLLC and secure victories for people of color throughout the State. With a passion for her work, even in her last days as she set her sights on new challenges, Sibu made sure to facilitate a smooth transition as she helped on-board the new Executive Director for the MBLLC.

Excited to carry on the work Sibu has accomplished, Lucas DeBarros will serve as the new Executive Director for the MBLLC. Lucas joins the MBLLC after serving State Representative Evandro Carvalho and Boston's Fifth Suffolk district. It was there that Lucas fostered his passion for civic engagement as he promoted community participation through initiatives such as the #Fighting4TheFairmount advocacy week. Lucas took pride in assisting residents throughout the district with constituent services, organizing events for the youth, and advancing legislation within the State House.

As the new Executive Director Lucas will focus on elevating the brand and recognition of the MBLLC, increasing community participation, and driving policy. He recognizes that we face major challenges within the Commonwealth, within the Nation as a whole, and he is eager to play his role in addressing those. Lucas has always had a great appreciation for local politics seeing it as a driving force for change through the country. That holds true in this transition. As Executive Director Lucas looks forward to assisting our 13 member body as they give voice to communities who are all too often left feeling voiceless. He has felt the need for this since his early days as a teenager when he had his first experience with community work.

Lucas held his first job as a community organizer for the Boston based Cape Verdean Community Unido and soon after continued this line of work serving Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative (DSNI). While at DSNI he got a taste for advocacy as he marched to the State House to call for youth jobs funding. He later went on to graduate from Bentley University with a Bachelor of Science degree for Marketing, followed by a foray in corporate America. He has utilized the marketing, sales, and analytical tools he has learned along the way to effectively progress legislation and civic engagement.