Beacon Awards

Voice of Change: Jacquelynne J. Bowman, Executive Director, Greater Boston Legal Services

The Voice of Change Award is presented annually to a luminary leader in the legal community who has forged a new path and has played an extensive role in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within the profession.

Jacquelynne J. Bowman has served as Executive Director of Boston Bar Foundation grantee Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS) since 2011 and is responsible for the overall management and operations of the organization. Every year, GBLS helps more than 10,000 low-income families and individuals solve their civil legal problems through representation in court, at appeals, and in hearings before administrative law judges, and with advice and paperwork, both as individuals and through partnerships with community organizations.

Bowman is a nationally recognized expert in family and juvenile law as well as in law practice management. In addition to her role at GBLS, she serves on the Access to Justice Commission of the SJC.

Corporate Champion: MFS

The Corporate Champion Award is given each year to a company that has been a leader in internal or external projects and practices that promote a more inclusive legal profession or community.

MFS participates in programs to empower local communities, including promoting better health, creating opportunities for education, and increasing civic engagement. Now in its 100th year, MFS is devoted to fostering Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) within its ranks, including expanding its efforts to attract, retain and develop diverse talent. In 2023, MFS completed its Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index Survey with a score of 90%, reflecting outstanding support for LGBTQ+ employees.

Empowerment Award: Derrick Young Jr., MPH, and Jonathan Allen, JD, MTS , Co-Founders, Leadership Brainery

The Empowerment Award is given each year to a powerful advocate who works to create systemic change in the wider community by amplifying the voices of underrepresented groups and advancing civil rights, access to justice, and/or DEI.

Leadership Brainery is a non-profit which addresses inequitable access to master’s and doctoral degrees and workforce leadership opportunities for underrepresented talent, including people of color and individuals from a lower socioeconomic status. It works with prospective and current graduate students, academic institutions, employers, and committed community members to eliminate systemic barriers to education and create inclusive communities.

Allen and Young, Jr. met as first-generation college students at Grambling State University, a Historically Black College & University (HBCU), where they spearheaded transformative initiatives to increase student engagement around critical issues.