December 9th, 2021

In the news: Jerome Smith

Boston Arts Academy Foundation announced last week that long-time Boston civic leader and current Amazon senior manager for External Affairs Jerome Smith, has joined BAAF’s Board of Directors.

A resident of Dorchester’s Savin Hill neighborhood, Smith worked inside Boston’s City Hall for two decades, most recently as chief of civic engagement under former Mayor Marty Walsh. Smith now brings that experience to Amazon, where he manages the company’s outreach to Boston’s unique and diverse population. Smith also supports BAAF’s mission to expand opportunities, investment, and access to arts education for students in the city of Boston.

“Working for the city of Boston afforded me the opportunity to get to know our neighborhoods on a deeper level,” said Smith. “I saw firsthand that talented young people live in every corner of our city. They deserve the opportunity to learn from top teachers and harness their creativity regardless of the neighborhood they grew up in. I am proud to support the Boston Arts Academy Foundation as it brings a world-class arts education to public school students, and I look forward to helping them continue to grow their outreach and fundraising efforts.”

“Jerome has long advocated for the underrepresented and underserved in our city,” said BAA Foundation President and CEO Denella J. Clark. “His partnership, as a member of BAA Foundation’s Board of Directors is pivotal in the Foundation and Boston Arts Academy’s ability to create opportunities for the students we serve.”

In addition to Smith, BAAF’s Board elected Ruth E. Carter, Academy Award-winning costume designer, and Maggie Baxter, VP of Programming at NBC Boston, to the board. The new members will serve alongside other civic leaders, including Board Chairman and Avid Technology CEO Jeff Rosica.   

Established in 1999, the BAA Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit organization that raises essential funds from private philanthropic sources to augment the BAA school budget. The BAA Foundation helps bridge the gap between the school’s allocation from the Boston Public Schools, and the true cost of a high-quality education that is both arts-intensive and college preparatory.

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