State Rep. Vanna Howard (far left) pictured with honorees Dr. Brent Smith (next to Howard) and Ben Opara (standing next to Smith)
A trio of Lowellians received 2025 Black Excellence on the Hill Awards during a Statehouse ceremony held February 28th.
17tgh Middlesex State Representative Vanna Howard nominated Dr. Brent Smith. A Lowell resident, Smith is the Dean of the School of Communication and a Marketing Professor at Emerson College in Boston. He was joined at the ceremony by his parents, Lura and Robert Smith.
Also honored at the ceremony were Lowell residents Ben Opara by Senator Ed Kennedy and Mary Wambui by 18th Middlesex Representative Tara Hong.
““It was an honor to nominate Dr. Brent Smith for the 2025 Black Excellence on the Hill Award,” said Representative Howard. “Dr. Smith, of Lowell, is truly an inspiration with his invaluable work, advocacy, and dedication to making our community a better place. He embodies persistence and excellence!”
‘Black Excellence on the Hill’ and the ‘Latino Excellence Awards’ are annual events hosted by the Mass Black and Latino Caucus to commemorate Black and Latino community leaders and trailblazers who are moving the needle forward in cities and towns across the Commonwealth.
