Emmett Folgert

Emmett Folgert has served as executive director of the Dorchester Youth Collaborative for more than thirty years. He created violence prevention, mentoring, workforce training, and direct service programs for at-risk youth, those with criminal records, runaway and homeless youth, and those involved with gangs and substance abuse. He is a successful public policy advocate and also created the Center for Urban Expression, where youth and adults partner to use media that addresses the problems urban youth face. He has written screenplays and stage plays, including the stories for Squeeze, a Miramax film.

In April 2012 the White House recognized Emmett as a Champion of Change. He is a guest lecturer at Harvard and Northeastern universities, and a regular commentator for local and national print, radio, and television news. His recent articles appear in CommonWealth magazine and Massachusetts Health Council publications.