BUSINESS/COMMUNITY LEADER SEAN DAUGHTRY ELECTED ABCD BOARD CHAIR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 30, 2021

CONTACT: 
Susan Kooperstein
617.875.3619
skooperstein@comcast.net

Lee Phenner
339.368.1140
lee.phenner@bostonabcd.org

Roxbury resident pledges to uphold ABCD mission, expand resources enabling low-income residents to reach highest potential

New slate of ABCD Board Officers elected

(BOSTON, MA) – At its June 23 meeting, the Board of Directors of Action for Boston Community Development elected Roxbury resident and Vertex Pharmaceuticals PAT Scientist Sean Daughtry to serve as Chair for a one-year term.

Daughtry joined the ABCD Board in 2013, representing the NAACP Boston Branch, and currently serves as a Public Sector member representing State Representative Elizabeth A. Malia. He is a Director of Technical Operations, Analytical, at Vertex Pharmaceuticals in Boston. A native of Greensboro, North Carolina, Daughtry is a cum laude graduate of Morehouse College and holds a Master of Science degree in Inorganic Chemistry from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is a member of Concord Baptist Church in Boston, the Greater Boston Morehouse College Alumni, Kappa Alpha Psi, Fraternity Incorporated, and is a co-founder of the Color of Biotech Massachusetts.

On the ABCD Board, Daughtry has served as First Vice-Chair, as Committee Chair of the Employment & Training/Youth Committee, and on the Finance Committee.

“ABCD is the place that all those needing a hand up can turn to and I am proud and privileged to serve as Board Chair,” said Daughtry. “I will extend every effort to ensure that ABCD and its outstanding staff and board members continue to mobilize all available resources to help those seeking aid to achieve their full potential.”

ABCD President/CEO John J. Drew praised Daughtry’s strong capability and commitment to the community. “Sean has been by our side for many years, making a difference for the youth and adults we serve and connecting ABCD with the business and scientific communities. We are so fortunate to be welcoming him into the key leadership position of ABCD Board Chair.”

Drew also applauded outgoing Board Chair Yvonne Jones for her exceptional leadership and tireless work representing the antipoverty/community action organization for the past four years.

“Yvonne’s dedication to the people and institutions of our neighborhoods is unmatched. ABCD benefits greatly from her experience in K-12 education and management as well as her strong community activism. Yvonne never pauses in her efforts to provide the underserved members of the community with opportunities to enhance their lives. We are forever grateful to her.”

Jones thanked the board and staff for their support. “It has been a privilege and an honor to have served you as Chair for the past four years.  I am pleased with the accomplishments that have occurred during my tenure and I attribute these accomplishments to the hard-working, talented and dedicated board and staff, and especially to the leadership of John Drew and Sharon Scott-Chandler. I thank you all for setting an extraordinary example of commitment, professionalism, and solidarity, especially during the last year navigating around the pandemic.”

At the June 23 meeting, the ABCD Board of Directors also elected the following Board Officers:

Vice Chairs: Nancy Dickerson, Marie Grieg, Edward Katz, Rev. Dr. Florence King, James Owens

Treasurer: Patricia Washington

Assistant Treasurer: Andres Molina

Clerk: Julie Hardy Cofield, Esq.

As a federally recognized Community Action Agency, ABCD is required to have a tripartite Board of Directors. A minimum of one-third must be democratically selected representatives of low-income individuals and families residing in the geographic area served by the agency. One-third must be elected officials or their representatives. The remaining board members must be chosen from business, labor, religious, law enforcement, education, or other major groups and interests in the community served.