By Rose Hamilton 

Yordan Villalon ’17 founded the group Cubans in Boston to foster community in the city and advocate for Cubans on his home island.

“We have hope for change in Cuba and we are lifting our voices and the voices of those on the island,” Villalon says. “We are committed to this mission for the long haul. A free Cuba will be the deed of our generation.”

Since launching Cubans in Boston in 2021, Villalon has grown the group to 360 members. He is proud of uniting residents of all ages. Local media, including The Boston Globe and Telemundo Boston, have run stories on his organization to amplify the issues.

For his efforts, Villalon was named to El Mundo Boston’s prestigious 30 Under 30 list for 2022.

For motivation regarding Cubans in Boston, Villalon recalls his childhood and how his parents would at times go without food during the Special Period in Cuba, giving their rations instead to Yordan and his brother. Eventually, they obtained visas and arrived in the United States in 1999.

“I am always inspired by my parents because they decided to leave their country and risked a lot for freedom,” Villalon says. “We are a very close-knit family and I feel I have to make their sacrifices worthwhile.”

He attributes much of his current success to lessons learned at Lasell and support from faculty including Jesse Tauriac, chief diversity officer and director of the Nancy Lawson Donahue ’49 Institute for Equity & Social Justice. “Jesse mentored me patiently as I experienced cultural differences,” says Villalon, who transferred to Lasell from Morehouse College in 2014.

He is also grateful for the support of Jenifer Drew, associate professor of sociology, who was his academic advisor. “From advising to emotional support, to encouraging my intellectual curiosity and making me feel like part of her family, Dr. Drew always supported me,” Villalon says. “She was there for me at every step.”

The former basketball captain, who works as lead coach for the Boston Celtics Jr. Celtics Academy, is an active Lasell alum. He serves as vice president of the Lasell University Alumni Association and as secretary for the Class of 2017. As a student, he delivered the undergraduate Commencement address for his class.

“At Lasell, I was challenged every day to do my best,” he says. “The warm, supportive culture and Connected Learning approach helped me grow as a leader.”