LYNN — City Council candidates Coco Alinsug and Nicole McClain, along with Lynn Museum Executive Director Doneeca Thurston, have been chosen by the Celebrate Literacy Day (CLD) group as this year’s recipients of their literary awards.
Alinsug — who is running for Ward 3 — and McClain — who is vying for an at-Large seat — have been chosen as the 2021 Excellence in Literacy Leadership Award (ELLA) winners, while Thurston will receive the first-ever Untold Stories award.
The three recipients were nominated for these awards and chosen by CLD committee members for their work in the community and dedication to literacy.
Since the committee received a large number of nominations this year, CLD’s Committee Chair Saritin Rizzuto said it was a very tough decision to choose the recipients; that’s why they created another award this year.
“There are so many people that do so much for the community, but we felt as if these three recipients had to be highlighted,” Rizzuto said.
The ELLA award, which began as an award solely for women, acknowledges the leadership of an individual in the community — with a focus on literacy — who goes above and beyond by giving back, and working with programs and residents to make a difference.
Rizzuto said the committee chose Alinsug because he is “such a giving individual, who seems like his goal in life is to help others and the community.”
Alinsug said he was very honored to be named as a recipient and highlighted the importance of literacy.
“Our economy is enhanced when learners have higher literacy levels and that is why I am so happy that this group continues to honor people and recognizes people that make a difference in our city to create awareness,” Alinsug said. “I have been an international scholar during my high school days and I am extra honored because this is my first Lynn award.”
Alinsug said he has received international, national and state awards for his work with community health, youth advocacy and vaccine research, but “never in Lynn, so this award is special because it came from my city.”
The committee chose McClain because of her work with North Shore Juneteenth and her longtime work in early childhood and dedication to promoting literacy. Committee member Diana Moreno said they also chose McClain because “she doesn’t just serve Lynn, but also served for the United States in the Army.”
McClain said she was happy to be chosen for the award, saying that she has been following the group for years and has always wanted to be a recipient.
“I was really excited,” McClain said.
Having worked in the area of early childhood for years, McClain said she knows how important literacy is and loves how this group focuses on and spreads awareness of it throughout the community.
Rizzuto said the committee added the Untold Stories award this year specifically for Thurston; she received the honor for her dedication to telling the stories of the people from Lynn and for thinking outside the box, especially through the museum’s “Untold Stories: A History of Black People in Lynn” exhibition.
“It is such an incredible honor to be selected for the Untold Stories Award, and I really share this award with Lynn Museum/LynnArts and the entire team who worked on our “Untold Stories: A History of Black People in Lynn” exhibition,” Thurston said. “Highlighting voices in our community, the stories of our families and loved ones, folks long forgotten and those who have been able to be remembered, is so important. Literacy has the power to connect us, to educate us about the greater world around us, as well as what’s going on right here in our own community.”
Thurston said that by including and celebrating the voices and stories that have traditionally not been seen or heard, the value and impact of literacy is increased.
Each individual recipient will be honored at an event on Sept. 1 at the Lynn Museum, along with the CLD Organization of the Year, Girls Inc. The money raised at the event will benefit all of the award recipients.
Alinsug, McClain and Thurston will be awarded $500 to donate to a nonprofit of their choice, and Girls Inc. will receive the rest of the funds.
Due to COVID-19, tickets for the fall event will be limited to 75. Tickets and donations can be found online at www.celebrateliteracyday.org.