GenUnity CEO Jerren Chang Recognized for Leadership in Boston’s Asian American and Pacific Islander Community

Jerren Chang, the co-founder and CEO of GenUnity, a Boston-based community leadership nonprofit, has been recognized for his leadership and commitment to inspire change within the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. Chang, a 31-year-old New York native and alumnus of Duke University, Harvard Kennedy School, and Harvard Business School, is on a mission to heal civic culture.

GenUnity, founded in 2020, aims to bring people of different backgrounds together through locally-focused programs to drive systemic change. Since its inception, the nonprofit has supported over 150 everyday leaders who are working towards expanding access to culturally competent healthcare, combating housing discrimination through legislation, and creating programs to assist people in low-income communities of color in becoming first-time homeowners.

Chang’s upbringing as a first-generation Asian American in an affluent New York suburb has shaped his perspective on the overlooked lived experiences of people of color. This awareness led him to pursue social impact work at McKinsey & Company and later in an economic development position at the Chicago Mayor’s Office. Upon arriving in Boston to attend Harvard, Chang recognized the need for deep partnerships between residents and institutions to create positive change, which ultimately led to the establishment of GenUnity.

In his own words, Chang emphasizes the importance of understanding the root causes and systems surrounding societal issues before jumping to solutions. By focusing on the problem at hand, he believes a humble inquiry and learning mindset are crucial in addressing deeply entrenched inequities.

As part of AAPI Heritage Month, MassLive has invited readers to identify inspirational leaders from the AAPI community throughout the state. Profiles of these leaders, including Jerren Chang, will be published to recognize their accomplishments, leadership, and commitment to inspire change.

To suggest someone else who should be recognized, readers are encouraged to fill out a form provided by MassLive.