Gomez nominates Lezlie Braxton Campbell as 2025 Black Excellence Honoree
State Senator Adam Gomez (D-Springfield) announced today that he has nominated Lezlie Braxton Campbell for the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus’s Black Excellence on the Hill celebration at the Massachusetts State House. The annual event in the Great Hall recognizes Black leaders, trailblazers, and changemakers across the state.
“I am deeply honored to nominate Lezlie Braxton Campbell as the Hampden district’s Black Excellence honoree for 2025,” said Senator Gomez. “Braxton’s political footprint goes well beyond the Hampden district, reaching an array of communities across Massachusetts and our nation. From his work as an educator to his efforts an organizer, Braxton has and continues to be an exemplary leader.”
Lezlie Braxton Campbell’s bio can be found here:
Lezlie Braxton Campbell is a politically and civically active educator, organizer and leader across Massachusetts. Braxton earned his bachelor’s degree from Westfield State University and is currently working on a master's degree in politics & education at Columbia University-Teachers College.
His past experiences include roles as Managing Partner of Community Impact at Partners in Democracy, Deputy Director at Educators for Excellence Massachusetts, Director of Organizing Strategy at Leadership for Educational Equity MA, and three school years as a middle school Social Studies Teacher in Springfield Public Schools. Braxton also served as Western Mass Young Dems Chair, Vice Chair of the YDMA Black Caucus, Secretary and Chair of the YDA Legislation Committee, and President of YDMA from 2020-2022, being the first person of color to hold this role. One of his proudest accomplishments is co-founding JetBlue’s Black Employee resource group JADE (JetBlue African Diaspora Experience) inclusive of employees at the main offices in New York, Orlando, Salt Lake City, and the network of cities being serviced by the airline at the time of earning his undergrad degree.
Currently he serves as the Deputy Director at Neighbor to Neighbor Massachusetts and Co-Chair of the Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ+ Youth. His journey with Neighbor to Neighbor began over six years ago as a Springfield chapter member, where his passion and commitment quickly propelled him to member leader, board member, and later, President of the Neighbor to Neighbor Education Fund for four years.
Braxton is an active member in local, state, and national Democratic organizations because he believes in democracy and increasing the presence of diverse voices in the leadership of the Democratic party. He is clear that his activism brought him to politics, not vice versa.