Haverhill’s Dennis Everett (left) and Anna Kouadio joined Rep. Andy Vargas for Black Excellence on the Hill Day Feb. 4. (Courtesy photograph)
Haverhill’s Dennis Everett and Anna Kouadio are making big moves to better their community—and Beacon Hill is taking notice. The pair was among 45 local leaders recognized with excellence awards by the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus this week.
Kat and Dennis Everett. (Courtesy photograph)
A married father of seven active in Haverhill’s Rehoboth Lighthouse Full Gospel church, Everett was nominated for the award by Sen. Diana DiZoglio. State Rep. Andy Vargas backed Kouadio, a Haverhill High senior who travels across the country to volunteer, for the honor.
Vargas tells WHAV the pair’s commitment to service to the greater Haverhill community is unmatched.
“Anna has demonstrated a deep commitment to both academic achievement and service to others. Her story is inspirational and brings us all hope,” Vargas said. “Haverhill is lucky to have these service-focused leaders.”
DiZoglio had similar praise for Everett, who works alongside wife Kat at the nonprofit they co-founded called Power of Self-Education, or POSE.
“Dennis embodies so much of what makes the Merrimack Valley and its communities great,” DiZoglio told WHAV. “As anyone in the Acre and Mount Washington neighborhoods of Haverhill can attest, Dennis and Kat are real difference makers in this city.”
At this week’s recognition ceremony—held during Black History Month—the honorees heard remarks from Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, House Speaker Robert DeLeo and others before taking part in a networking reception and being given citations from their nominating legislators.