Special Agent in Charge Joseph R. Bonavolonta of the Boston Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is pleased to announce the selection of Mr. Gregory Blaize as the recipient of the 2021 Director’s Community Leadership Award.

The distinctive award, presented on behalf of the Director of the FBI, was established in 1990 to honor individuals and organizations for their efforts in engaging the community in the areas of education and crime prevention. Every year, the Boston Division of the FBI can select an individual or organization that has made a significant difference in the lives of others.

Mr. Blaize, a recent graduate of FBI Boston’s 2022 Citizens Academy, is the former executive director of the Boston chapter of My Brother’s Keeper, an initiative aimed at addressing persistent opportunity gaps faced by boys and young men of color. He is also a mentor with Mass Mentoring Partnership which is working to ensure that every young person in Massachusetts has access to quality mentoring relationships, no matter who they are or where they live. He has worked with a variety of organizations including Big Brothers Big Sisters, Teen Empowerment, YMCA of Greater Boston, and BAM (Becoming A Man). In these roles, Mr. Blaize has provided Black and other underrepresented youth with a variety of tools and resources, including access to cohort internships, youth development programs, exposure to higher education, and job opportunities.

Mr. Blaize has also worked closely to bridge the gap between inner city youth and law enforcement. For example, on several occasions, he has organized informational sessions with FBI Boston focusing on the various community outreach programs, internships, and career opportunities the FBI offers. During Black History Month, in partnership with My Brother’s Keeper, over a hundred young men and women throughout Boston, along with several FBI Boston special agents and officers with the Boston Police Department participated in a virtual discussion celebrating Black Joy in which they discussed their personal journeys, challenges, and reasons for pursuing careers in law enforcement.

“Gregory has made it his mission to ensure young people in the greater Boston area reach their full potential, opening their eyes to a world of possibilities that they may not have otherwise been exposed to,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “He has touched numerous young lives and fostered strong relationships with the community and law enforcement, helping us learn more about the people we serve while helping them learn more about the work we do to safeguard our communities.”

More information about FBI Boston’s Community Outreach Program is available at https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/boston/community-outreach.