In the news: Ceferina Murrell

At the Black Excellence on the Hill ceremony, Dorchester’s resident Ceferina Murrell was honored by the Black and Latino Legislative Caucus for her years of advocacy on behalf of people of color and women.

Born and raised in Uphams Corner, Murrell is the chief of staff to Sen. Nick Collins, who nominated her for the recognition.

Murrell’s accomplishments include developing legislation to standardize diversity and inclusion policy for real estate dispositions across all state and quasi-state property; requiring all business entities seeking tax credits to an organizational and supplier diversity and inclusion plan as part of the eligibility criteria; prioritizing state funding for nonprofit organizations that uplift and advocate for communities of color; advocating for and providing external support to businesses owned by people of color and women and composing a diversity and inclusion plan with accountability measures as part of the legislation to expand the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center.

A graduate of Elizabeth Seton Academy in Dorchester and the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Murrell has spent the last 7 years organizing campaigns and serving in state and government roles focused on empowering the disenfranchised. Prior to her current role, she has held leadership positions in the City of Boston’s Office of Women’s Advancement under the administration of Mayor Martin Walsh and as communications director and chief of staff to former Sen. Linda Dorcena Forry.