40 Under Forty: Che Anderson, 29

Photo | Erika Sidor Winners of the WBJ 40 Under Forty award (from left): Victor M. Archila, Lilian Radke, Madeline Mendoza and Che Anderson.

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Project manager

City of Worcester

Lives: Worcester

Birthplace: New York, N.Y.

College: College of the Holy Cross

From behind his rather innocuous job title, Anderson has thoroughly transformed the life and meaning behind the Worcester culture and entertainment scene. He is perhaps most well-known for cofounding POW! WOW! Worcester, which for the last three years has brought in graffiti artists to decorate public spaces throughout the city. Beyond this high-profile role, Anderson every day cultivates the growing cultural undercurrent of the city. He played a lead role in the #Worcester100 campaign to bring 100 events to Worcester Common in 2017 (it ended up being 110), including the Food Truck Festival of America drawing more than 5,000 people to downtown. He coordinated the introduction of the WWII Citizens of Color Honor Roll in Lincoln Square and the refurbishing of the Civil War memorial and World War II memorial on the Worcester Common. He serves on boards for the Worcester Art Museum Corporators, the Worcester Historical Museum and Mechanics Hall. He is a member of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce Minority Professionals Roundtable, the Salisbury Cultural District, the Worcester Public Art Working Group, and the Holy Cross Club of Greater Worcester. In 2016, Anderson received a key to the city.

From 40 Under Forty judge Kate Sharry: “Don't take your eyes off what Che is doing, because everything he touches in this city turns to gold.”

Were you a straight-A student? Through high school, yes; then I went to Holy Cross.

What four people would you take on a road trip? Lauryn Hill, Jimi Hendrix, Tito Puente and John Lennon; it would be the best car concert of all time.

Read about the entire 2018 Class of 40 Under Forty

Michael Alden - Ascentria Care Alliance

Che Anderson - City of Worcester

Victor M. Archila - VMA Electric Inc.

Allison Beckler, DO - YOU, Inc.

Sam Bitar - Webster Five

Mark A. Borenstein - Seder & Chandler LLP

Kate D. Campanale - Massachusetts House of Representatives

Derek Canton - paerpay

Ryan Canuel - Petricore, Inc.

Jennifer Caron - Body Therapeutics

Danielle J. Clark - Clark Career Coaching