Page 63 - BusinessWest February 20, 2023

break barriers to technology adoption by urban teens. “Technology has had an impact on the Urban League, as
it has with many other business,” Thomas said. “Technology is a real game changer in how well are you going to adapt to doing a new job — or an old job, because even the old job has to get upgraded. It’s major, because I’ve seen so many people working inefficiently, and that can limit you. If you want to climb, you’ve got to learn how to do these things.”
Thomas’ leadership and advocacy on the UMass board of trustees was instrumental in UMass Chan Medical School’s establishing its first-ever regional campus, UMass Chan Medical School – Baystate, in downtown Springfield, and its focus on improving the health and well-being of the region’s medically underserved rural and urban communities.
For that effort, he recently earned an honorary doctorate there, to go along with similar honors from UMass Amherst, Bay Path University, Westfield State University, and Nichols College. In addition to his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from AIC, he also earned a juris doctor degree from Western New England University School of Law.
Also in the vein of education and workforce development,
Thomas established Step Up Springfield, a teacher-development program in Springfield; is funding (along with his wife, Dee, a former teacher and principal herself) a $50,000 scholarship for Black youth from Springfield; and tackled a two-year assignment with the National Urban League as
its vice president for Youth Development, with a primary focus of youth development within inner-city communities.
From co-founding a charter school to chairing the UMass Amherst board of trustees, Henry Thomas has made education central to his work throughout the decades.
Leah Martin Photography
Serving the Pioneer Valley and Beyond for over 50 Years!
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Associated Builders Inc.
COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL BUILDING SERVICES
SITE SELECTION – DESIGN – ENGINEERING – CONSTRUCTION – RENOVATIONS
Congratulations to all the 2023 Difference Makers honorees:
Helix Human Services
formerly the Children’s Study Home
Nathan Costa President, Springfield Thunderbirds
Steven and Jean Graham Owners, Toner Plastics Group
Burns Maxey Board President, CitySpace
Claudia Pazmany Executive Director, Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce
and
Gabrielle Gould Executive Director,
Amherst Business Improvement District
Gary Rome President and CEO, Gary Rome Auto Group
Henry Thomas President and CEO, Urban League of Springfield
Springfield Ballers
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INDUSTRIAL MANUFACTURING AND DISTRIBUTION FACILITIES, MEDICAL OFFICES, PRE-ENGINEERED BUILDINGS, COMMERCIAL BUILDOUTS, ADDITIONS, RENOVATIONS AND MORE.
BUILDING BUSINESS. BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS. BUILDING EXCELLENCE.
Associated Builders Inc.
4 Industrial Drive, South Hadley MA 413-536-0021 • www.abuilders.com
BusinessWest
FEBRUARY 20, 2023 63
“I learned that I don’t have to make a selection between being cool or being ” smart. I found out that I could do both.