Community advocate, activist and longtime Lowell resident, Mona Tyree, was honored at the Massachusetts State House today.

Tyree received a Black Excellence on the Hill award after being nominated by State Representative Rodney Elliott. The honors are handed out annually by the Massachusetts Black and Latino Caucus to Black and Latino community leaders and trailblazers who are moving the needle forward in their cities and towns across the state.

State Representative Vanna Howard and Senator Ed Kennedy were also on hand for the ceremony.

Tyree enjoys working with the community in any capacity where she can be of service. She sits on multiple volunteer positions within the City of Lowell and is currently involved with the Centralville River Path Art Jury, the Lowell forward Master Plan Committee and the Lowell Forward housing sub-committee.

Mona also volunteered with DIY/Free Soil Arts Visualizing Lowell Black History Trail project, the Citizen Advisory Committee for CDBG funding, multiple Centralville clean ups, the Centralville Food Truck Festival, many years of Afro-American outings, as well as volunteering for the Lowell General Hospital walk for many years.

She is a proud member of the AACC (Afro-American Community Collaborative) and has helped re-establish this organization as a pillar of the African American community.

Last year Mona volunteered over 250 hours of her time helping improve our city and our communities for all residents and is willing to dedicate her time and energy wherever there may be a need.

Tyree is also a member of the InsideLowell local election coverage team, appearing on our live election night coverage as an analyst.