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Tony Martin 鈥�19 Is a Master鈥檚 Student in UMass Boston鈥檚 Critical Ethnic and Community Studies Program

, a nonprofit organization that trains and redeploys veterans in their communities, has awarded UMass Boston student veteran Tony Martin 鈥�19 a $1,500 grant through its to support in its COVID-19 response this summer.

President Barack Obama launched the My Brother's Keeper initiative in 2014 to address persistent opportunity gaps faced by boys and young men of color and ensure that all young people can reach their full potential. 

鈥淚n lieu of where we are as a nation at this present time, initiatives like My Brother's Keeper helps give voice to hope for our men and women of color, and reinforces their sense of self-worth," Martin said.

Gregory Blaize, the executive director of My Brother鈥檚 Keeper Boston, says Martin will be working with students in Boston Public Schools through his internship position as the program鈥檚 product development and implementation specialist. The grant will cover professional development and incidentals.

鈥淭ony will play a pivotal role in one of Boston's many responses toward serving marginalized youth during this pandemic,鈥� Blaize said. 鈥淭hrough and with the resources of the City of Boston and UMass Boston, I'm excited and humbled to embark on this mission of providing resources, tools, and, most importantly, HOPE to the youth of our city.鈥�

鈥淲e are so pleased to see the partnership with UMass Boston and the City of Boston and the Mayor's Office continue to expand through the My Brother鈥檚 Keeper initiative,鈥� added Matthew Power-Koch, manager of university internships for the Office of Career Services and Internships. 鈥淭his internship opportunity is exactly the type of real-world experience that trains our students to become the future leaders of tomorrow. Through this experience, Tony will be able to achieve career success through a community experience and employer partnership to enhance his UMass Boston experience.鈥�

Martin served in the military for more than 20 years. He served in the United States Coast Guard for ten years. He also served in the Army and Air National Guards as a staff sergeant, with leadership responsibilities. In May 2019, he completed a bachelor鈥檚 degree in music at UMass Boston. He鈥檚 about to begin his second year in UMass Boston鈥檚 Critical Ethnic and Community Studies master鈥檚 program. He also continues to work as a research assistant for UMass Boston鈥檚 William Joiner Institute for the Study of War and Social Consequences.

鈥淭ony exemplifies all of the good qualities of a citizen-scholar, a commitment to the community, and a dedication to service,鈥� said Mitch Manning, associate director of the William Joiner Institute for the Study of War and Social Consequences. 鈥淭he Joiner Institute鈥檚 mission is to support veterans and those who have been impacted by war and to address the social and health consequences of war. Mentoring younger students and veterans create a bridge between generations and create lifelong bonds. My Brother鈥檚 Keeper is an important national program and Tony is well served to be a great community leader in that program.鈥�

About UMass Boston
The 天美传媒 is deeply rooted in the city's history, yet poised to address the challenges of the future. Recognized for innovative research, metropolitan Boston鈥檚 public university offers its diverse student population both an intimate learning environment and the rich experience of a great American city. UMass Boston鈥檚 天美传媒s and graduate schools serve 16,000 students while engaging local and global constituents through academic programs, research centers, and public service. To learn more, visit .