Name: Shaun Blugh
Profession: Chief Diversity Officer for the City of Boston
Age: 30
One Word That Describes You: Optimistic
Born in Trinidad & Tobago, Shaun Blugh made a couple of pit stops along his journey to becoming Boston’s first-ever chief diversity officer in 2014. Tasked with grappling the City of Boston’s diversity issues, Blugh works closely with the different communities in Boston to bring a focused agenda to their issues.
In his previous role at IMB Development Corporation, Blugh learned about the many barriers to small disadvantaged businesses seeking public sector contracts and wanted to do something about it. “In my new capacity, I can work with other local leaders to make city contract opportunities more accessible to small, diverse businesses here in Boston,” Blugh tells BE Modern Man.
Before earning this new role and establishing his reputation, Blugh faced a few obstacles on his journey to leadership. “I was fortunate enough to have an amazing support system of family members, teachers, friends, and mentors to help guide me through the process,” says Blugh. The process included his parents which he recognizes as key tenets to his success. “Being of Trinidadian descent and seeing the efforts of my parents, I had a strong work ethic at all stages of my life that fueled my desire to succeed in all my endeavors,” Blugh tells BE Modern Man. “My parents worked hard to make sure my upbringing was easier than theirs and passed that mindset on to me. In that same vein, I am naturally compelled to take on seemingly daunting challenges and find ways to succeed in them.”
A recognizable face in the community, Blugh is always cognizant that as a leader he represents more than just himself. “To open the doors for future minority
leaders I must carry myself in a manner that would make people proud, and serve as an example for others to emulate,” says Blugh. Being able to listen is how Blugh becomes the most effective leader in his role as Chief Diversity Officer. “Taking the time to listen and then voice a clear vision for what will be needed to achieve the common goal allows the community to function more efficiently and cohesively.”Read more on page 2…
In developing his own public speaking skills to be the voice for the community, Blugh looked back at the greatest orators in history, from presidents John F. Kennedy and Abraham Lincoln, to contemporary leaders like President Obama and Governor Deval Patrick for inspiration. “The most important thing I have learned is that you must find your own voice and style to deliver speeches effectively,” says Blugh. “The audience connects with you and your message more when you are being your true self.”
As Blugh connects with the small, diverse businesses in the community he also knows that building relationships with the entrepreneurial community is key. “It is important that you do your research and know what you can about the sector the entrepreneur is trying to break into,” says Blugh. This is important when earning credibility in the community. “More important than that, you have to be a good and engaged listener when entrepreneurs share their vision with you.”
Through his position, Blugh hopes that he can be a role model to future leaders in the African American community. “I want people to know that with hard work and an education, you can succeed no matter what your background is.” In his current role as Chief Diversity Officer, he aims to create more pipelines to employment and success for all communities in Boston. “I want to do all that I can, so that stories like mine are the norm, not the anomaly moving forward.”
A leader of high moral standing, and setting the example for future black leaders in this country, Blugh works to empower others to achieve and succeed, creating a diverse talent pool of up-and-coming leaders across all industries. “The BE Modern Man tells a positive story about the potential and ability of our community that breaks current stereotypes for the future of the United States.”
The BE Modern Man team salutes Shaun Blugh as he works to empower others to achieve and succeed by creating a diverse talent pool of up-and-coming leaders across all industries in the City of Boston.
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