DCD Admissions Associate Marcus Nelson was featured on The Needham Channel last week for his work as Vice Chair for the Needham Select Board and member of The Needham Unite Against Racism Initiative (NUARI). The group started in response to community outrage regarding the murder of George Floyd in 2020. NUARI calls on the internal group and the Needham community to form town policies to respond to racial violence and discrimination with equitable action.

As the first person of color elected to the select board in the town’s history, Marcus felt it was vital to have marginalized experiences represented in town forums to offer more inclusion to all constituents. He noted the importance of many perspectives being present in the same room to make progress: “Having those conversations, and having meetings, and having those officers and constituents in the room together— that’s where you build a community.”

His thoughtful and engaged participation in community-building adds to both the town of Needham and student community at DCD, where he also serves as a Grade 8 advisor and a co-facilitator for the Students of Color affinity group. We are proud of all of the work Mr. Nelson does to impact change in the Greater Boston area, and at DCD.

Check out the featured segment here!