Carvalho leads new Human Rights Commission of Boston

Former Dorchester (5th Suffolk) State Representative Evandro Carvalho was appointed by Mayor Marty Walsh to lead the city’s Human Rights Commission, restored “to ensuring all residents of Boston have equal opportunities and equal rights” after 23 years inactive.

The Commission will have exceptional consideration to the needs of Boston’s immigrant communities, according to a press release submitted on August 26th, 2019.

“As attacks on human rights continue from the highest levels of our country, here in Boston, we’re committed to preserving and advancing human rights, including in our immigrant communities,” Mayor Walsh stated.

The Human Rights Commission is a seven-member body, created to receive and investigate discrimination complaints related to the workplace, housing, credit, education, public accommodations, and other fields.

The Commission has the authority to conduct hearings, call witnesses, and publish reports and the results of investigations. The Commission also has the power to adopt customs and regulations and recommend legislation to the City Council and the Mayor.

“At this time in our country, I’m proud Boston has doubled down on our commitment to protect and advance the rights of all people,” Carvalho said following his appointment.

Born in Cabo Verde, Carvalho emigrated to Dorchester at the age of 15. A graduate of Boston Public Schools, Carvalho graduated at the at Madison Park High and went to earn degrees from UMass Amherst and Howard University School of Law.

Carvalho began his legal career doing high-level internal investigations of large companies and complex litigations at the law firm WilmerHale. Later, as an Assistant District Attorney prosecuting gun crimes in Boston. Carvalho served on the board of Teen Empowerment and volunteered for the Massachusetts Affordable Housing Alliance. Most recently, Carvalho represented the Suffolk 5th District in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. He, his wife Ashley, and their daughter Eliana currently reside in Dorchester.

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Evandro Carvalho: “we have to challenge the narrative others created that we are bad”