RESTORATIVE JUSTICE FACILITATOR/ CIRCLE KEEPER
Hamza Berrios is a powerful activist, educator, and Circle Keeper with a passion for liberation through education. Our own “Puerto Rican Malcolm X”, Hamza maintains a sharp focus on how to create radical change through grassroots activism and access to higher education. He is a longtime advocate and organizer of universal voting restoration, including work with organizations such as Empowering Descendant Communities to Unlock Democracy (EDC) and The World Peace Foundation around voter disenfranchisement. Though he’s serious about education and civic engagement, he’s just as serious about joy and is quick to crack a joke, share a smile, or lovingly talk some smack, a true Boston love language.
After earning his Bachelor of Liberal Studies from Boston University’s Prison Education Program while incarcerated, Hamza returned home to the community with goals of pursuing a career in academia. Hamza is a vehement champion of the power of education, noting that “when the system works this hard to keep people away from something, whether it’s higher education, voting, or civic engagement, it tells you that these things must hold immense power.” He recognizes accountability as a tool of connection and empowerment and lovingly calls those around him to action in standing up for the rights of system-impacted people. Less than six months into his reentry, Hamza was accepted into Harvard Divinity School, a testament to his work ethic, commitment and drive towards collective healing and liberation. Hamza is a living reminder of the powers of transformation and that real change comes from those closest to the struggle.
After earning his Bachelor of Liberal Studies from Boston University’s Prison Education Program while incarcerated, Hamza returned home to the community with goals of pursuing a career in academia. Hamza is a vehement champion of the power of education, noting that “when the system works this hard to keep people away from something, whether it’s higher education, voting, or civic engagement, it tells you that these things must hold immense power.” He recognizes accountability as a tool of connection and empowerment and lovingly calls those around him to action in standing up for the rights of system-impacted people. Less than six months into his reentry, Hamza was accepted into Harvard Divinity School, a testament to his work ethic, commitment and drive towards collective healing and liberation. Hamza is a living reminder of the powers of transformation and that real change comes from those closest to the struggle.