Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll Host Annual Black History Month Celebration
Governor Healey also unveiled a temporary art exhibition and a Black veterans exhibit in celebration of Black History Month at the State House
BOSTON – Today, Governor Maura Healey and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll hosted a celebration of Black History Month at the Massachusetts State House, alongside the Governor's Black Empowerment Advisory Council. Governor Healey also unveiled a temporary art installation by Black artists living in Massachusetts. The exhibition showcases the work of talented Black Artists who express the triumph, beauty and resilience of Black culture. This exhibition displays the work of Paul Goodnight, DaNice Marshall, Marlon Forrester and Chanel Thervil in the reception area of the Governor’s office.
“There is no better state than Massachusetts to celebrate the profound contributions made by Black individuals and communities to our nation’s history,” said Governor Healey. “The Lieutenant Governor and I are thrilled to welcome so many people to the State House today and to honor the Black veterans, artists, performers, business owners and young people who make our state strong. We’re grateful to our Black Empowerment Advisory Council for their ongoing partnership as we continue to work to uphold the values of Black history and support for the community.”
“We are thankful to Paul Goodnight, DaNice Marshall, Marlon Forrester and Chanel Thervil for partnering with us and the Mass Cultural Council to display their work to spotlight the vibrant contributions of Black artists here at the People’s House,” said Lieutenant Governor Driscoll. “Each piece in this exhibition is a testament to creativity, and our administration will continue to work to uplift artists across Massachusetts.”
As part of the celebration, the Executive Office of Veterans Services (EOVS) launched a Black History Month Banner Exhibit in Memorial Hall to honor the service and contributions of Black veterans throughout history. The month-long exhibit highlights the legacy of Black service members from the American Revolution to today, including the heroic Massachusetts 54th Infantry Regiment, the Tuskegee Airmen, and the “Six Triple Eight” unit, the largest contingent of Black women to serve overseas in World War II.
“Black service members have played a pivotal role in shaping our nation’s history, often fighting on two fronts- on the battlefield and at home in the struggle for equality,” said Veterans Services Secretary Santiago. “This exhibit in Memorial Hall will be displayed all month as a way to honor their resilience and ensure their stories are remembered.”
“The history of Black Americans is deeply woven into the patchwork fabric and rich legacy of our country. A people who survived the torment of enslavement and consistently seek to lead this nation forward. A people who are the conscience of America and stand as a beacon of the great possibility of our democracy,” said Chair Governor’s Black Empowerment Advisory Council Tanisha M. Sullivan, Esq. “A people who believe in the promise of freedom, justice and equality for all people. To know the history of Black people in America is to understand our history is a testament to the enduring pursuit of America’s ideals.”
“The Healey-Driscoll administration’s Black History Month celebration reflects its commitment to uplifting the Black community throughout Massachusetts. This month is not only a time to reflect on the profound contributions of Black leaders past and present, but also to reaffirm our collective responsibility to advance economic empowerment, health and well-being, and education—key priorities of the Black Empowerment Council,” said Vice Chair of Governor’s Black Empowerment Council Anthony W. Richards II. “I am confident that the Healey-Driscoll administration remains steadfast in its dedication to these areas, ensuring meaningful progress and opportunity for Black residents across the Commonwealth.”
During the program, Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll issued official citations to Helen Caulton-Harris, Devin Morris, Gordon Thompson, Massachusetts State Police Detective Lieutenant Stephen C. McDonald, Jason Price, Paul Goodnight, DaNice Marshall, Marlon Forrester, Chanel Thervil, Yawkey Club Boys and Girls Club, Hamilton-Garrett Music & Arts Academy in recognitions for the contributions to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
The temporary exhibition celebrating Black History Month, in partnership with Mass Cultural is displayed within the Governor’s reception area until March 10th, 2025. Since taking office, Governor Healey has sought to expand diverse art on display in the Governor’s Executive Office Suite by adding “Black Tie” by Robert T. Freeman and “At the Tremont Street Car Barns” by Allan Rohan Crite, which are on loan from the Museum of Fine Arts. She has also displayed other temporary exhibitions in the Governor’s reception area, including celebrating Black History, Climate Month, Pride Month and the Cape & Islands.
Additional information about the Citation Recipients:
About Paul Goodnight:
Paul Goodnight was born in Chicago, Illinois on December 31, 1946. He was raised in Roxbury, Massachusetts and New London, Connecticut. After serving in the Vietnam War, Goodnight returned to Boston and pursued a career as an artist. He received his Bachelor of Art in Fine Arts and an honorary Master of Fine Art from the Massachusetts College of Art. Paul's learning continued under the tutelage of Paul Rahilly, John Biggers and Chuck Stigliano. His work Black Stairs Duet is on display in the Governor’s Office.
Goodnight's work has also been featured in films such as Ghost, The Preacher's Wife, and Gone Baby Gone, among others, and on many television programs including Seinfeld and The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, which collectively propelled his work into the mainstream market. But equally important, Paul's work has been used to raise over $75,000 for the Andre Agassi Foundation and Charter School. Bishop Desmond Tutu, Lionel Richie, Maya Angelou, Samuel L. Jackson, Wesley Snipes, Morgan Freeman, Ed Gordon, Steve Harvey and Illyassa Shabazz, daughter of the late Malcolm X are a few of his notable collectors. His work has been published in Upscale Magazine, Ebony, Architectural Digest, Essence, People, Miami Design, Decor and 100 Boston Painters. But here at home, the Baystate Banner and The Boston Globe consider him one of our most talented native sons.
DaNice D. Marshall:
DaNice D Marshall, a born writer, started painting in 2016 after a life-threatening illness left her with hearing loss and unable to walk without a cane. No longer able to write, DaNice started to paint abstracts, as she says: “mostly to watch the paint dry”. In 2023, DaNice was awarded Boston’s Faye Chandler Emerging Artist Award, and given a solo exhibition at Boston’s City Hall. She is a Mass Cultural Council grantee and a 2024 resident fellow of MassMOCA in North Adams. Her work Pink Rollers and Lottery Dreams is on display in the Governor’s office.
After a national open call for public art, DaNice was selected to design a bus shelter, commemorating Rosa Parks. Titled, “Because of Her, We Can” the Rosa Parks bus shelter will be installed in 2025, in front of the Rhode Island Statehouse in Providence, RI. DaNice lives with her husband Ben, and their dog Tigger in Braintree.
About Marlon Forrester:
Marlon Forrester, born in Guyana, South America, is an artist and educator raised in Boston, MA. Mr. Forrester, a full-time artist, has also worked as a Visual Arts Instructor at Boston Public Schools since 2010. He was the recipient of the 2021 James and Audrey Foster Prize and his work is in the collection of the ICA/Boston. His current body of work explores how through media, Pop Culture, and advertisement the black male body is commodified through the sport of basketball. Utilizing his concept of “disequilibrium” he works to deconstruct the rites and rituals found within the game and life through his drawings, paintings, performances, and large-scale installations. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston and a Master of Fine Arts from Yale University. He is a resident artist at the African American Masters Artist Residency Program (AAMARP) adjunct to the Department of African American Studies in association with Northeastern University. He worked previously as a painting lecturer at SMFA (2017-2019) and has shown both internationally and nationally. His work Ross23 and Rick23 is on display in the Governor’s office.
About Chanel Thervil:
Chanel Thervil is a Haitian American artist and educator who uses varying combinations of abstraction and portraiture to convene communal dialogue around culture, social issues, and existential questions. At the core of her practice lies a desire to empower and inspire tenderness and healing among communities of color through the arts. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting from Pace University and a Master of Fine Art in Art Education from Massachusetts College of Art and Design. She's been featured throughout New England via her educational collaborations, public art, and residencies with institutions like The Museum of Fine Arts, The Boston Children's Museum, Mass MoCA, The DeCordova Museum, The Surf Point Foundation, and Google. Her work has been featured by PBS Kids, The Boston Globe, The Boston Herald, The Bay State Banner, WBUR's ARTery, WGBH, and Hyperallergic. Her work Feeling Good and Dignity: The Image of My Immigrant Grandmother to Remember is on display in the governor’s office.
About State Police Detective Lieutenant Stephen C. McDonald:
For the past 23 years, Detective Lieutenant Stephen C. McDonald has served within the Massachusetts State Police and established himself as a highly respected leader, collaborator, and investigator. He currently serves as Legislative Liaison for the Massachusetts State Police, working on Beacon Hill to engage with lawmakers, providing input on proposed legislation, and helping to shape critical policy decisions. In this role, Detective Lieutenant McDonald acts as a trusted resource, offering insightful analysis and ensuring that the Massachusetts State Police remain an effective and collaborative partner to the communities they serve.
Before joining the MSP, he served as a Correctional Officer with the Massachusetts Department of Correction, where he worked to support mental health initiatives for inmates. McDonald is also a proud U.S. Army veteran, having served as an Infantryman at Schofield Barracks in Oahu, Hawaii, further exemplifying his deep commitment to service and leadership.
About Helen Caulton-Harris:
Helen Caulton-Harris currently serves as Commissioner of the Division of Health and Human Services for the City of Springfield, making history as the first Black woman to hold this title. For over 28 years, she has been a dedicated advocate for community health, overseeing four city departments and Springfield Health Services for the Homeless while working to advance health equity and strengthen public well-being.
Her impact on public policy and health advocacy has earned her numerous prestigious awards, including the AIDS Action Award from the Action Committee, the Rebecca Lee Award from Harvard School of Public Health, and the Paul Revere Award from the Massachusetts Public Health Association. She was also honored as Woman of the Year by the Springfield Postal Service. Caulton-Harris’s exemplary leadership during the COVID-19 crisis and her unwavering commitment to public health have garnered widespread recognition, including BusinessWest’s Lifetime Achievement Award as part of their 2022 Healthcare Heroes honors.
About Devin Morris:
Devin Morris currently is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of The Teachers’ Lounge, an education-based nonprofit dedicated to improving student outcomes by diversifying the educational workforce in Greater Boston and beyond. Through innovative solutions and programs, he leads efforts to recruit, revitalize, and retain Educators of Color, fostering more inclusive and equitable learning environments. A devoted community leader, Morris is deeply committed to serving Boston. In addition to his work with The Teachers’ Lounge, he plays a pivotal role in education advocacy, serving as Chair of the Education Committee at the Commission on Black Men and Boys and as a Steering Committee Member for the Educator Diversity Act with Latinos for Education, among other leadership roles.
About Gordon Thompson:
Gordon Thompson is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Westnet, New England’s premier medical supply vendor. Since founding Westnet in 1994, he has provided essential medical research supplies to top institutions, including Boston Medical Center, MIT, Dana-Farber, and Beth Israel Hospital. Beyond business, he is a dedicated advocate for youth empowerment. As the founder of Mass Youth Committed to Winning (MYCW), an education-based athletic program, that works to inspire and mentor students through public service projects.
About the Hamilton-Garrett Music and Art:
Hamilton-Garrett Music & Arts Academy (HGMAA) works to cultivate and develop innovative artists through the celebration of Black music. Named after two members of the Historic Charles Street African Methodist Episcopal Church and the national music community, Ruth Hamilton and Elta Garrett. Ruth Hamilton was a world-renowned contralto singer who was a proponent of the Negro Spirituals. Ms. Hamilton passed away in 2001 and it was her desire for a community-based youth program to be created to preserve, educate and celebrate Black music and culture. Elta Garrett, a well-known soprano, dedicated more than 50 years of her life as a music teacher in the Boston Public Schools. After retirement, Mrs. Garrett served as the founding director of the Hamilton-Garrett Music and Arts Academy. Retiring after serving twelve years as the director of the Academy, Mrs. Garrett is a supporter by serving as an active member on the Board of Directors of the Hamilton-Garrett Music & Arts. Hamilton-Garrett Music & Arts is honored to have been affiliated with the Historic Charles Street A.M.E. Church for twenty years of service.
About the Yawkey Club Boys and Girls Club of Boston:
Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston provides a pipeline for young people to explore their passions, find their purpose, and prepare for a life of success and impact. The Yawkey Club, located in Roxbury, specializes in helping young people build strong character and realize their full potential as responsible citizens and leaders.
