Representative Russell E. Holmes Democrat - 6th Suffolk

Elected in November 2010, Russell Holmes represents Massachusetts’ Sixth Suffolk District, which includes a portion of the communities of Dorchester, Mattapan, Hyde Park, Roslindale, and Jamaica Plain.

At an early age, Russell learned the importance of community involvement from one of his first mentors in life, Lenzer Evans. Mr. Evans owned Brigham’s Ice Cream in Mattapan Square, which provided the first employment opportunity for many young people in the community, including Russell. Mr. Evans taught all his young employees that work was not just a means for getting ahead, but that they must also leave the community better than the way they found it. From the small corner bench in his shop, Mr. Evans met with state and city leaders to discuss policy and public affairs. Mr. Evans encouraged Russell to participate as well.

Russell remembered the lessons of his youth about the importance of community and purchased his first home in Mattapan. Soon after, he began to get involved in public service and civic activism when he decided that the streets in his community could use some upkeep. Enlisting the help of his neighbors, Russell grew his street cleaning initiative into a community-wide operation that culminated in a partnership with Mayor Menino. As a community leader, Russell has worked passionately on issues related to local economic development, education, and public transportation. He chaired the Mattapan Library Task Force, which brought Boston’s first new public library since 2001.

In 2007, Russell chaired the Mattapan Economic Development Initiative (MEDI) and was an instrumental force in developing a new set of building codes to attract businesses to the community. More recently, the team won a federal Main Streets designation for Mattapan Square. This accomplishment will allow the community to tap into city funds to repair storefronts and improve buildings. In addition, the community will develop a holistic marketing strategy for the surrounding business district. Russell loves volunteering. In addition to teaching Sunday school at the church of Christ in Roxbury, Russell has mentored 18 to 22 year-olds, serving as a male role model and coach on the transition from adolescence to adulthood. He has tutored elementary, high school, and college students on academic and life skills and has served as a Big Brother in Big Brother Big Sisters. Russell graduated from Boston University with a degree in mechanical engineering in 1992, and he received his MBA from Northeastern in 2000. He currently works as a Certified Financial Planner with Ameriprise. When he is away from the State House, you can usually find Russell working on local initiatives, teaching Sunday school with his wife Sheree, and knocking on doors to listen to the concerns of his constituents.