Community organizer recognized for leadership | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Greater Milwaukee Foundation
June 17, 2014
For his efforts to improve the quality of life in Milwaukee neighborhoods, the Greater Milwaukee Foundation will recognize community organizer Christopher Boston as the 2014 recipient of its Doug Jansson Leadership Award. He will receive the honor at the Foundation’s 99th annual meeting and civic awards presentation Wednesday, June 18, at the Wisconsin Center in Milwaukee.
As director of sustainable communities for LISC Milwaukee, Boston leads the organization’s strategy for comprehensive community development, helping transform distressed urban communities into healthy places to live, work and raise families. He serves as LISC’s liaison in Milwaukee’s Washington Park and Harambee neighborhoods.
Boston’s years of experience in grassroots community leadership complement his calling as pastor at Lamb of God Missionary Baptist Church. He previously served as lead organizer/director of Milwaukee Inner-city Congregations Allied for Hope (MICAH) and was the youngest to serve in that role in the agency’s history. He also was president of the Milwaukee Chapter of the Black Alliance for Educational Options.
Do you have feedback on Milwaukee NNS's reporting? Take our survey to let us know how we're doing!
Born and raised in Milwaukee, Boston studied international management at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. He began his career in organizing to help improve education outcomes for Milwaukee Public Schools students.
The Greater Milwaukee Foundation created the Doug Jansson Leadership Award to provide support for local nonprofit leaders, particularly those serving underserved communities, to strengthen their leadership skills. Jansson led the Foundation for 17 years, beginning in 1993. The award was sponsored this year by BMO Private Bank.