Mary Gwann, a recent Summa Cum Laude graduate from Roger Williams University with a degree in Criminal Justice and Digital Forensics, currently works as an IT Security Specialist in Providence, RI. She is also a Research Assistant for the National Association of Black Law Enforcement Officers and the policy developer for the SPOT ON, a project with the Latino Pastoral Association whose primary goal is to increase community-police relations in urban areas through various recreational activities and educational programs.
Mary also has 15 years volunteer experience in various capacities ranging from the soup kitchen at Amos House, running children’s programs at McAuley Village, to serving as the Voter Education and Outreach Chair at Cambodian Society of Rhode Island. She also currently serves as the Vice President of the Rhode Island Young Professionals, an affiliate of the Urban League of Rhode Island (ULRI). The ULRI’s mission is to secure economic self-reliance, parity, and civil rights for the black community. Mary has advocated for various issues in relation to the minority population at the state and local level, most recently for adding the Black History Curriculum at all Rhode Island Public Schools. Mary has spent the past four years in the political field as a minority outreach director for various campaigns.
Mary assisted the Cape Verdean Subcommittee in raising funds from politicians for the 2014 Independence Festival. Mary’s goal is to ensure that the Cape Verdean community has a strong voice in the political process by making every effort to educate people how to hold their elected officials accountable. She also wants everyone regardless of their race or ethnicity to learn about the rich culture and history that Cape Verdeans have not only in Cabo Verde, but in the United States as well.
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