“Hubie Jones is a great friend of the University of Massachusetts Boston and a long-time advocate for social inclusion,” said Chancellor J. Keith Motley in an email to students about the recent winner of the Beacon Global Inclusion Award, Hubert “Hubie” Jones.

Jones was given the award at a ceremony on campus the morning of Oct. 27 in recognition of his contributions to the city of Boston through work in nonprofit, community, and higher education sectors.

Motley described social inclusion as a person’s access to education, employment, healthcare, and resources — regardless of background. It is something that Jones has collaborated across cultures to achieve.
With a career that spans six decades, Jones has been responsible for the formation and leadership of at least 30 community organizations, according to the website of education-targeted nonprofit City Year, where he is currently an entrepreneur-in-residence.
His positions at higher education institutions include Dean of the School of Social Work at Boston College, Associate Professor at MIT, and acting President of Roxbury College.

Jones was previously the Special Assistant to the Chancellor for Urban Affairs at UMass Boston.

In 2003, Jones was inspired to form the Boston Children’s Chorus. Over 500 young kids from neighborhoods across Boston participate, receiving choral training, learning leadership skills, and “representing the city of Boston as ambassadors of harmony” as stated on the organization’s website.

This is the inaugural year for the Beacon Global Inclusion Award, which celebrates the launching of UMass Boston’s newest college, the School for Global Inclusion and Social Development. 

Dean of the School of Global Inclusion and Social Development, William Kiernan, presented the award to Jones and the other recipient, international nonprofit Oxfam.

“[Both recipients are] committed leaders in social engagement and civic transformation, and exemplary role models for our students,” said Dean Kiernan in an article written by UMass Boston’s Office of Communication.

Chancellor Keith Motley said that Jone’s manner of fostering inclusiveness was in line with UMass Boston’s core mission of providing access and opportunity.