Pictured at Eastern Bank’s 2020 Celebration of Social Justice are left to right: Bob Rivers, CEO and chair of the board of Eastern Bankshares Inc. and Eastern Bank; Nancy Huntington Stager, president and CEO of the Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation; Robert Lewis, Jr., founder and president of The BASE and 2020 Social Justice Award Honoree; and Quincy Miller, president of Eastern Bankshares Inc. and Eastern Bank. Photo Credit: Virginia Sutherland Photo

The Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation has presented its 2020 Social Justice Award to Robert Lewis Jr., founder and president of The BASE.

In its 32nd year, the award recognizes community leaders who have made an outstanding impact in addressing critical social justice issues. This year’s Social Justice Award was presented during a virtual “Celebration of Social Justice” event attended by more than 600 community leaders.

“A social justice trailblazer who has overcome harrowing adversity, including his recovery from COVID-19 this year, Robert is a nationally and internationally recognized thought leader, social innovator and champion for urban youth,” Eastern Bank said in a statement. “Throughout his career, he has been an advocate for racial equity and breaking down barriers that prevent communities of color from reaching their full potential.”

Lewis in 2013 launched The BASE, a nonprofit organization that empowers urban youth to succeed by leveraging sports to open pathways to higher education and meaningful employment in today’s workforce. Recognizing the importance of its work in providing food security, educational focus and other stability in the daily lives of young people, The BASE remained open during the pandemic.

Before launching The BASE, Lewis served as executive director of the Boston Centers for Youth and Families, president and executive director of the National Conference for Community and Justice, senior vice president of City Year’s national operations and executive director of City Year Boston, and vice president for program at the Boston Foundation.

“We each have the collective responsibility to shift the paradigm created by policies that generate racial and gender inequities, and remove the barriers that prevent equity and justice for all,” Nancy Huntington Stager, president and CEO of the Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation, said in the statement. “Robert Lewis Jr.’s life’s work reminds us we must listen to those closest to the issues, be willing to be uncomfortable, to work to understand, take time, and provide the sustained effort needed to address the systemic structures that perpetuate inequities in  our communities. We are proud to honor Robert, for his inspiring and game-changing community leadership, with the 2020 Social Justice Award.”

Lewis is also on several government advisory councils and was recently appointed to the University of Massachusetts Board of Trustees by Gov. Charlie Baker.

“Growing up, I was taught to leave a legacy by investing and supporting others, and that when you are a part of a community, you are the community,” Lewis said. “One of the most effective ways I give back is by supporting our urban talent and encouraging others to experience their lived experiences. Eastern Bank is a model for how the business community can drive change and better outcomes for future generations, and I am humbled to be chosen to receive its Social Justice Award.”