Reading’s Albert Pless honored at Black Excellence on the Hill ceremony
(4-5 minute read)
Community leaders, advocates, and public servants from across Massachusetts gathered at the Massachusetts State House on Friday, February 27, 2026, for the annual Black Excellence on the Hill event. Held in the historic Great Hall of Flags, the ceremony recognized individuals whose leadership and dedication have strengthened communities throughout the Commonwealth.
A wide view of the Great Hall of Flags shows a large crowd gathered for the recognition ceremony. Photo by Taylor Gregory.
The event is organized by the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus, which honored 100 nominees from across the state, representing communities from the Berkshires to the North Shore and from Greater Boston to Cape Cod and the Islands.
The Great Hall of Flags provided a symbolic backdrop for the celebration, with the flags of all 351 Massachusetts cities and towns suspended from the balcony above the reception area, representing the breadth of communities served by the honorees.
Among those recognized was Albert W. Pless Jr, Director of Equity and Social Justice for the Town of Reading. Pless was nominated by State Representatives Richard Haggerty and Bradley Jones Jr., who represent the 30th and 20th Middlesex Districts.
Recognizing leadership in Reading
In the event program (page 69), Pless was recognized for his work advancing a culture of belonging, dignity, and inclusion in Reading.
As Director of Equity and Social Justice, he has helped lead several community initiatives that bring residents together around shared values and civic engagement. Signature programs under his leadership include the town’s Juneteenth Freedom Festival and the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Ceremony, both of which have grown into major community events.
Members of the Reading delegation who attended the ceremony at the Massachusetts State House. Pictured (left-to-right): Linda Snow Dockser, State Rep. Rich Haggerty, RPL Director Amy Lannon, OESJ Director Albert Pless, Acting Town Manager Jayne Wellman, and Select Board member Karen Herrick. Photo by Taylor Gregory/
Pless also works closely with the Partners and Allies for Inclusive Reading (PAIR) advisory group, which supports partnerships, programming, and community dialogue on inclusion.
Prior to joining Reading, Pless served as the inaugural Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the Town of Andover, where he established equity-centered frameworks for municipal initiatives.
With more than 25 years of professional experience, Pless has worked to address racial and health initiatives across multiple sectors. His previous roles include leading Community Health Worker programs for Black and Latino men at the Boston Public Health Commission and the Cambridge Health Department.
Pless currently serves on several boards, including Harvard Catalyst, and holds a Master of Science degree from Southern New Hampshire University and a Bachelor’s degree in political science from Norfolk State University.
A statewide celebration of Black leadership
The ceremony featured remarks and performances from a number of prominent figures and community leaders.
Officials and community leaders gather at the podium while Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll spoke at the Massachusetts State House honoring Black excellence and leadership. Photo by Taylor Gregory.
Speakers included State Attorney General Andrea Campbell and Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll, along with several members of the Black and Latino Legislative Caucus.
The program also included remarks from poet laureate Reggie Gibson, Miss Massachusetts 2025 Kayla Griffin, and Michelle Brown, the leader of The Juice Foundation and the mother of Boston Celtics all-star Jaylen Brown.
Miss Black Northeastern Kennedy Campbell delivered two musical performances, and the event included a benediction from nominee Rev. Mattie Conaway, a U.S. Army veteran, the pastor of one of the oldest Black churches in the Berkshires, a mother of six, and a breast cancer survivor.
Reflections on Black excellence
Throughout the ceremony, speakers emphasized that Black excellence appears in many forms - from community service and public leadership to education, the arts, faith leadership, and advocacy.
Legislators highlighted the significance of the 26-member Black and Latino Caucus, noting that Massachusetts is the only state where Black and Latino legislators participate in a single unified caucus rather than separate organizations.
Speakers also reflected on the continuing importance of Black History Month, which marks it 100th anniversary, and the role it plays in preserving stories that were historically overlooked or erased.
Massachusetts Representative Russell Holmes delivered remarks encouraging continued civic engagement.
“If you wonder what you would’ve done in the 1960s, you’re doing it right now. We need everyone off the bench and in the fight.”
Michelle Brown echoed that sentiment, describing Black excellence as a product of perseverance, resilience, and dedication. Through her work with The Juice Foundation, she said, the goal is to create educational opportunities and pathways for Black youth.
She described the work as a commitment to building “elevators” that lift others upward as communities move forward together.
Honoring community impact
Attendees listen to remarks during the recognition ceremony held in the Hall of FLags at the Massaechusetts State House.
The event included the recognition of the 100 honorees representing communities across the Commonwealth.
For Reading, the recognition of Albert Pless highlighted the impact of local leadership and community engagement in shaping a more inclusive civic culture.
As speakers throughout the program noted, Black excellence is not defined by a single achievement, but by the ongoing commitment of individuals who work every day to strengthen their communities and expand opportunity for others.
