# Turahn Dorsey

> Turahn “Rahn” Dorsey is president and CEO of Eastern Bank Foundation, where he works on economic mobility and inclusion. A Detroit native and University of Michigan economics graduate, he previously worked in research at Abt Associates, evaluation and education grantmaking at the Barr Foundation, and Boston’s mayoral cabinet as chief of education from 2014 to 2018. His civic work also includes chairing Franklin Cummings Tech’s board, co-founding Jazz Urbane Recordings and helping develop Jazz Urbane Café in Nubian Square.

- **Role:** President & Chief Executive Officer at Eastern Bank Foundation
- **Organizations:** Eastern Bank Foundation, City of Boston, Barr Foundation, Abt Associates, Moore and Associates, Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology, Jazz Urbane Recordings, Jazz Urbane Café, New Roots AME Church, Movement Family Farm
- **Education:** Concord Academy, Bachelor’s degree in economics, University of Michigan
- **Known for:** Co-led creation of Boston’s universal prekindergarten system., Co-led the first phase of school facilities master planning that led to $200 million in school improvement investments., Led the redesign of Boston’s college scholarship program.

## Career timeline

- **Age 16** — Began a research apprenticeship at a suburban Detroit firm owned by a family friend.
- **1995** — Moved to Boston to work at Abt Associates.
- **2009** — Joined the Barr Foundation; served as evaluation director and in education grantmaking.
- **2014** — Co-founded Jazz Urbane Recordings with Bill Banfield and Joey Blake.
- **2014-2018** — Served as Boston’s chief of education in Mayor Martin J. Walsh’s cabinet.
- **2019** — Joined Eastern Bank Foundation as a Foundation Fellow focused on early childhood strategies.
- **2022** — Promoted to the newly created chief impact officer role on July 26.
- **2025** — Became Eastern Bank Foundation president and CEO in July, succeeding Nancy Huntington Stager.

## Achievements

- Co-led creation of Boston’s universal prekindergarten system.
- Co-led the first phase of school facilities master planning that led to $200 million in school improvement investments.
- Led the redesign of Boston’s college scholarship program.
- Co-created the Family-Led Stability Pilot addressing homelessness among Boston Public Schools families.
- Co-founded the Opportunity Youth Collaborative and co-designed Boston’s Summer Learning System.
- Helped Eastern Bank Foundation develop its mission and strategies and make its first debt investments in affordable housing and community land ownership.
- Co-founded Jazz Urbane Recordings and helped develop Jazz Urbane Café.

## Latest updates

- **2026-10** — Joined Jay Linnehan for an October 7 conversation about community building, belonging, economic mobility and cultural spaces at Celebrate Giving in Lowell.
- **2026-09** — As foundation president and CEO, helped recognize Deval Patrick with the Social Justice Award and Just A Start with the inaugural Nancy Huntington Stager Collaborative Impact Award.
- **2026-02** — Featured in Concord Academy’s alumni discussion of civic dialogue, community leadership and economic mobility.
- **2025-07** — Became foundation president and CEO; announced a $10 million, three-year commitment to a career-focused English learning initiative led by new fellow Eva Millona.

## Links

- Website: https://www.easternbank.com/about-us/eastern-bank-foundation/team/turahn-dorsey
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/turahn-dorsey-658044178
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/turahndorsey

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/turahn-dorsey
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-23