Episode 007 Unearthing An Asian American Identity: Leverett Wing's Journey from Summer Camp to Civic Leadership

Conversations With Carole

From a Jewish summer camp, Leverett Wing embarked on a profound journey of self-discovery. Raised in Chelsea, Massachusetts, he found minimal connection to his Asian American heritage in the classroom. But through that camp, he unearthed the treasures of his culture. Today, as the leader of Boston's essential civic engagement organization, The Commonwealth Seminar, Leverett's story is a compelling testament to the power of embracing one's ethnicity, paving the way for impactful civic leadership. His inspiring journey embodies the significance of cultural identity, self-discovery, and leadership for us all.
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Leverett Wing - Executive Director,

The Commonwealth Seminar

Leverett is the Executive Director of the Commonwealth Seminar, a non-partisan organization seeking to "Open the Doors of Government to Everyone" by educating advocates and leaders who live in & work with underserved communities about the "ins & outs" and "essentials" of working with, and within, all levels of government.

Before the Seminar, Leverett led the Community Services Division at The MA Department of Housing & Community Development, overseeing a budget of over $200 million. Leverett was also the Executive Director of Asian & Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote), a national, D.C. based organization focusing on civic engagement in the Asian American community. Before that, Leverett helped spearhead an effort to create the Massachusetts Asian American Commission and was named the Commission's first permanent Executive Director.

Leverett also serves on the boards of several highly respected organizations. Among them, Leverett sits on the Board of Overseers at Joslin Diabetes Center, the Board of Advisors at Eastern Bank, the Board of Overseers of the Boston Children's Museum, and the Board of Overseers of 'GBH-TV/Radio.

He also serves on the Board of Directors of Boston's Higher Ground in Roxbury, Massachusetts. Leverett is also a Board member for Meet Boston and serves on the Bureau's Multicultural Committee.

In Boston, Leverett was recognized by Get Konnected as one of their "One Hundred Most Influential People of Color" and is a recipient of the prestigious "Good Guy Award" from the M.A. Women's Political Caucus, only the second Asian American to receive the award.

IN 2021, The Multicultural Symposium Series Empowerment Breakfast honored Leverett for his unwavering leadership and commitment to communities across the region.