Americans Who Tell The Truth

Portrait by Robert Shetterly courtesy of Americans Who Tell the Truth.

Gladys Vega

Executive Director, La Colaborativa : b. 1967

There's a long history of institutions and nonprofits being led by people who do not reflect the communities being served. White decision makers would come into our communities and let us know what we needed. We know that this doesn't work, it never has. Representation matters. It is time for people of color to make decisions for themselves and their own communities. We must be seen and heard. La Colaborativa protects, uplifts, and empowers every individual to foster leadership from within communities of color and immigrant communities. This is the only way that real change can happen.

• Member of the 2011 Class of Barr Fellows
• 1985-present - member of the team at Chelsea Collaborative
• 2006-present - Executive Director of La Colaborativa (formerly the Chelsea Collaborative)
• Named one of Massachusetts' 100 most influential leaders (2007, 2008)
• Named a "Bostonian of the Year" by the Boston Globe (2020) 

Learn more about Gladys Vega on the Americans Who Tell the Truth website. 

Watch the documentary, Marcos Doesn't Live Here Anymore, which follows a decorated Marine fighting to reunite her family after her husband is deported. This documentary is available through Films on Demand, but you may be prompted to log in with your Jefferson username and password.