• Member Awards
• Public & Private Sector Awards

THE RICANNE HADRIAN AWARD:

Giovanny Valencia, Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation - 

Giovanny is an Architect from Colombia with a background in politics, education and community development. In his home city of Bogota, he became involved in politics through campaigning and supporting local and national candidates in Colombia.

His community work in Bogota included developing projects and strategies focused on relief efforts related to natural disasters, such as landslides, affecting extremely poor communities in the mountains around the city. He studied Architecture at LaSalle University and Urban Planning at the National University of Colombia, participating in coursework in conflict resolution, social housing projects and community organization.

Giovanny spent one year teaching Architecture and Urban Planning at a university in Guatemala, where he also volunteered as a computer teacher in an elementary school serving homeless children. Since moving to the United States in 2006, Giovanny has continued his involvement in politics and the community as a volunteer for different organizations, and for political campaigns for the Boston City Council, Massachusetts State House and Boston City Hall.

Giovanny joined the Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation in 2014 as a Senior Organizer, and in 2018 was promoted to Director of Community Organizing. During this time, he has been working on building support for the creation and preservation of affordable homes in Jamaica Plain and adjacent neighborhoods, and empowering residents to become leaders in their own communities.

MEMBER AWARDS

The Ricanne Hadrian Award:

This award is for a CDC project manager or organizer who meaningfully engages local residents in building economically and racially just communities.

Ricanne Hadrian was MACDC's Deputy Director for housing and community reinvestment until her death in October 1996. She also designed the community organizing initiative, RHICO, name in her honor.

The Richard Smith Award:

MACDC presents this award to a CDC staff person or board member who exemplifies outstanding commitment, leadership and achievement on behalf of the statewide movement.

Richard Smith was the Executive Director of the Fitchburg CDC. He worked tirelessly on behalf of his organization and his community. MACDC has presented this award in his memory since 1992.

The Rising Star Award:

This award is presented to Executive Directors, staff or board members that are 40 years old or younger who have demonstrated their potential, outstanding innovation, leadership and achievement in community development.

PUBLIC & PRIVATE SECTOR AWARDS

Excellence in Community Development:

MACDC presents the Excellence in Community Development Award to an individual or agency from the public sector that has provided exceptional support and leadership for the community development movement in Massachusetts.

The Jeffrey Graham Award:

This award is presented to a person or organization from the private sector that has provided exceptional support and leadership for the community development movement in Massachusetts.

Jeffrey Graham was a community reinvestment officer who demonstrated a genuine commitment to supporting CDCs and their communities. In 2002, MACDC named this award in Jeffrey's memory.