Adrianna Boulin
Fenway Health traces its roots back to 1971 when a group of passionate students gathered in the basement of a Northeastern building. Driven by the shared belief that existing healthcare services were not meeting the needs of all individuals, they embarked on a mission to create a space where everyone could feel truly themselves.
“There are specific roles at Fenway Health that focus on community engagement, and there is a way that every staff member can engage people in a way where they feel like they can trust the person they're talking to - even if an individual is not the person to help that person. There's a standard of acting with cultural humility, which is something that we're trained on.”
Adrianna Boulin began her work with Fenway Health five and a half years ago. Starting with a focus on community engagement for clinical research studies, Adrianna soon realized that the needs of the community extended beyond research participation. Fenway Health's comprehensive range of services, including medical, dental, optometry, behavioral health, and public health programs, presented an opportunity to address these diverse needs more holistically. Adrianna then transitioned to work on the systemic and structural aspects of engagement and care before landing her current Director position.
Following the tragic killing of George Floyd in 2020, Fenway Health created a comprehensive racial equity action plan, underscoring its dedication to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels.
“One of the ways we committed to anti-racism as an organization, not only understanding what that meant, but creating a 5-year plan that had directives for different departments throughout our organization.”
As the Director of Racial Equity, Social Justice, and Community Engagement, at Fenway Health, Adrianna plays a central role in driving the implementation and evaluation of this action plan, and her approach ensures that racial equity is integrated into every facet of the organization's operations.
Adrianna’s work in the community extends beyond her role at Fenway Health. She also serves as the President of Boston Pride for the People, an organization committed to celebrating the LGBTQ+ community in Boston. The origins of this group began in 2020, a year marked by a national reckoning with racial injustice. As protests erupted across the country, Adrianna recalls how many BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) LGBTQ+ individuals needed a space that centered their experiences within the movement, and so, Boston Pride for the People was born.
“In August of 2022, we started meeting and decided to come together and establish a board that represented our community.”
Boston Pride for the People is redefining the narrative of Pride celebrations, the next of which will be held in Boston on Saturday, June 8th. Adrianna shares how Boston Pride for the People has prioritized the participation of youth, trans and gender diverse folx/people, and BIPOC individuals in the parade, challenging the norms of past celebrations. As Boston Pride for the People continues to evolve and grow, Adrianna emphasizes the ongoing commitment to creating a more inclusive Pride celebration for all. One of the key principles guiding Boston Pride for the People, for example, is a commitment to genuine allyship. Adrianna highlights how the organization has implemented criteria for sponsorships, prioritizing companies with a commitment to diversity and inclusion. By refusing donations from companies with poor track records, Boston Pride for the People is sending a powerful message about the importance of genuine solidarity.
Adrianna’s time with Fenway Health and Boston Pride for the People are interconnected. Adrianna describes Fenway Health as a place where authenticity thrives and where individuals are encouraged to show up as they are. Adrianna's role at Fenway Health has provided her with valuable insights into organizational structure and management, skills that she now brings to her work at Boston Pride for the People. In contrast, Boston Pride for the People represents “a blank slate,” as she says, a startup organization with potential for innovation and creativity. Adrianna describes the exhilarating experience of working in this dynamic environment, where ideas are born and implemented in real-time. Here, she emphasizes the importance of authenticity in her work, a lesson learned from her experiences at Fenway Health.
As Adrianna reflects on her journeys with both Fenway Health and Boston Pride for the People, she acknowledges the dedicated volunteers who have contributed to the success of both organizations. While she may hold the title of President at Boston Pride for the People, for example, Adrianna recognizes that true change is driven by the collective efforts of passionate individuals working towards a common goal.
“I'm the president, and you'll see my face, and I'll speak, but there's just so much action happening by so many people for which Pride means so much to them. And that's why they're taking this time to create a space that cultivates a feeling of belonging for all.”
Whether navigating the established structures of Fenway Health or the uncharted territory of Boston Pride for the People, Adrianna's journey serves as a testament to the power of perseverance, collaboration, and community-driven change.
Published: June 2024,
written by Adede Appah-Sampong, Health Equity Scholar
