The Rian Immigrant Center’s Annual Solas Celebration will be an in-person luncheon event on October 6th, and all are invited to attend and sponsor the event. Solas is the Irish word for light, and the Solas Award is presented to inspirational individuals and beacons of light, whose values resonate with Rian’s mission to create a society where ALL are welcomed and valued and enjoy equal opportunities and protections.

In an announcement of the event, the agency said “It is our privilege to present State Street’s Chairman and CEO Ron O’Hanley with the 2022 Solas Business Leader Award this year in appreciation of his bold leadership, commitment to inclusion, and his support for refugees, especially at this time of such global unrest. Rian recognizes State Street and Ron O’Hanley in advocating for all immigrants and refugees against any and all forms of violence and justice.
“Rian is also honored to present the 2022 Solas Community Leader Award to Lenita Reason, Executive Director of the Brazilian Worker Center (BWC) and Chrystel Murrieta Ruiz, Political Coordinator at SEIU Local 32BJ – New England District 615, Co-chairs of the Driving Families Forward Coalition for their unfaltering leadership in advancing the Work and Family Mobility Act, a bill that will enable all qualified Massachusetts residents to apply for a standard state driver’s license, regardless of immigrant status. Rian has been a proud supporter of the Bill for nearly two decades and we believe that having access to a driver’s license will help many immigrants gain greater financial stability and access to critical resources.
The 2022 Solas Courage award will be announced soon. Please reach out to Ronnie Millar, Executive Director of the Rian Immigrant Center (617-710-4668 rmillar@riancenter.org ) if you would like to discuss sponsorship, or visit Solas 2022 webpage on the website riancenter.org.