Robert Lewis Jr.
Robert Lewis Jr., the Nicholas president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston (BGCB), is being honored on Nov. 13 for his recognition as a 2025 Power 50: The Movement Makers Honoree. Presented by the Boston Business Journal, the Power 50 features leaders in the Greater Boston business community who are continually implementing positive changes to move forward and improve their communities.
Having joined BGCB in 2022, Lewis began making changes to help develop Boston’s youth. Enacting a five-year plan centered on health, education,and workforce readiness, he immediately began working to cultivate an environment where youth could prosper, preparing them for the outside world.
Lewis has a long history of experience in nonprofits and community leadership, having founded The Base, a nationally acclaimed organization in Roxbury founded in 2013 that focuses on student athletes’ success, which has since expanded to Chicago, Indianapolis and Pittsburgh.
He was the chief architect of StreetSafe Boston, an anti-gang initiative at The Boston Founda tion, and served as the first executive director of City Year Boston.
A national service organization for young adults who participate in community service, Lewis was also a senior vice president of national operations, having built 11 City Year sites across the country.
Lewis has been recognized several times for his contributions and clear commitment to closing achievement gaps for Boston youth and for enacting strategies to help them reach success. He has received the New England Streetworker Inaugural Legacy Award, Nonprofit PRO’s Lifetime Achievement Award, King Boston’s Embrace Award, the Associated Industries of Massachusetts’ Gould Education Award, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Breakfast 50th Anniversary Awardee, Eastern Bank’s Social Justice Award and the Robert F. Kennedy Action Corp’s Embracing the Legacy Award.
Born and raised in East Boston, he is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts Amherst and holds honorary doctorate degrees in humane letters from Assumption University, Cambridge College, Franklin Pierce University and William James College. He also holds honorary doctorates in public service from Simmons College and New England Law Boston.
Having dedicated his career to uplifting youth, Lewis is a community trailblazer, constantly pushing to ensure a better future for Boston’s young people. His contributions exemplify a true role model and leader in the community as he continues to find innovative ways to improve the city.
