Before she was named to the inaugural class of WBJ’s 40 Under Forty, Stacey Luster was breaking new ground as the first Black woman elected to Worcester City Council. In the nearly quarter century since her Class of 2000, she hasn’t slowed down, continuing to break new ground and promote equity within Worcester’s education systems.
Throughout her 15-year tenure with WPS, she hired and fostered the professional development of thousands of teachers and staff while growing the number of teachers of color in the city by more than 100%. Now at WSU, Luster works to amplify the needs of the university’s faculty, students, and staff by establishing working committees to make recommendations to the president including campus climate, affirmative action and equal opportunities, and LGBTQ+ accessibility. Luster became the first Black person to be elected president of the organization behind Mechanics Hall in Worcester, and as a current trustee of the organization, Luster spearheaded the initiative to include Black Americans in the building’s Great Hall, resulting in a campaign that raised $500,000 to commission and install the portraits of Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth, and William and Martha Brown.
What did getting the 40u40 award mean to you at the time? It validated my work as an advocate. As the first Black member of the City Council in 60 years and the first black female councillor ever, bringing voice to the issues and concerns of underrepresented members of our community was not always popular. It felt like WBJ had my back!
What does it mean to you now? Today, I feel like the WBJ 40 Under Forty award provides visibility to the legacy of my life’s work.
What advice do you have for this year’s 40u40 winners? Use this recognition as permission to be bold and embrace good trouble.
How has Central Mass. changed since you won the 40u40 award? It’s more diverse with professionals who work remotely and/or in Boston. Worcester is a major city, with a vibrant downtown and arts scene. I am a third generation Worcesterite, and I still love Worcester!
