Mark Costa, ’24, is third generation Cape Verdean and has never had occasion to visit the island nation.

Benvinda Cardoso Butler was born in Cabo Verde and raised on the island of Santiago until age 14 when her family emigrated to the United States and settled in Dorchester.

Donzilia Soares knew from a very early age she wanted to teach – not only as a fulfilling profession for herself, but also to give back to her country. 

Paulo Borges defied all odds. The poverty he experienced as a child motivated him to rise above it and rise above it, he did.

Erico Fortes knew from an early age that electronics was his future. Not that he knew how. He just knew.