Special to the Times-Free Press
On September 25, the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus (MBLLC) celebrated the start of Latine Heritage Month in October with pride, commemorating the countless contributions of the Massachusetts Latine community. The Latino Excellence Awards, an annual event at the State House, celebrates Latine community leaders and trailblazers who are making an impact.
The event was filled with remarks by Caucus members, legislative leadership, and a powerful keynote by community leader Gladys Vega from La Colaborativa, serving as a testament to the resilience and innovation of the rising population of Latinos across the Commonwealth who continually impact their communities despite increasing challenges.
That community reaches every pocket of Massachusetts and Representative Adrian Madaro was proud to nominate Rita Lara, Executive Director of Maverick Landing Community Services, for her many contributions throughout the East Boston neighborhood.
Rita Lara has 30 years of local and global nonprofit sector experience. For nearly a decade, she has managed Maverick Landing Community Services (MLCS), a multiservice organization located at the heart of the Maverick Landing housing development in East Boston. Under Rita’s leadership, MLCS has provided a wide array of services to the residents of Maverick Landing, the broader neighborhood of East Boston, and surrounding communities. Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, Rita led MLCS in distributing over half a million pounds of food aid throughout East Boston. In 2020, working with cross-sectoral partners and utilizing funding in the state budget secured by Representative Madaro, Rita helped launch East Boston’s first housing support station at MLCS.
Rita has been twice recognized for her work by the City of Boston with a 2020 Boston Community Champion award through the Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement and an Extraordinary Woman Award from the Mayor’s Office of Women’s Advancement in 2023. She was also recognized with a housing advocate award from Eastern Bank in 2023.
Prior to coming to MLCS she served as Director of Philanthropic Partnerships for Corporate Accountability International, an advocacy organization that safeguards human rights and the environment. Locally, she has worked with several Boston organizations serving Latine communities, and serves on the board of United Way of Massachusetts Bay. Rita has an Ed.M. in Human Development & Psychology with a concentration in Risk and Prevention from the Harvard University Graduate School of Education and a B.A. from Tufts University.
“I am profoundly grateful to the Black and Latino Caucus for this recognition and to State Representative Adrian Madaro for the nomination,” said Rita Lara. “In these challenging times, this honor is especially meaningful—it reminds us of the power, resilience, and brilliance within our Black and Latino communities. I accept this honor with deep gratitude, carrying it not just for myself, but for all those who continue to push for equity, justice, and representation, and for those who continue to be unheard.”
“Rita Lara is a leader in the East Boston community and I am incredibly proud to be able to nominate her for this year’s award,” said Rep. Adrian Madaro. “She is an incredible organizer and force for change in East Boston and among our Latine community, leading the way on providing innovative and essential services to residents and facilitating a key space for community gathering. I deeply appreciate all of her hard work, dedication, and commitment to our neighborhood”.
Nominated by legislators of the House and Senate, each 2025 Latino Excellence Award Recipient has demonstrated exceptional leadership and served as powerful reminders that leadership means a dedicated investment in the power of community. Nominees range from individuals holding elected positions, leaders of businesses and nonprofit organizations, young, passionate activists catalyzing change, and dedicated members of local communities.
The Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus (MBLLC) was created in 1973, with the intent to be a leading voice on Beacon Hill for communities of color across Massachusetts. We also seek to empower constituents to gain a deeper sense of political awareness on issues concerning them and their greater communities. The MBLLC’s fourteen legislators remain dedicated to serving communities of color throughout the Commonwealth through legislative, budgetary, and community endeavors