Faces of New Bedford

Meet Amanda Ormseth, 25-year-old Elementary Teacher and Buti Yoga Instructor. Amanda grew up in New Bedford and after graduation, she spent a lot of times waitressing and bartending while attaining her English degree from UMass Dartmouth. Knowing she didn’t want to continue working in restaurants, she applied for a substitute …

Meet Jenny A. Liscombe-Newman, 39-year-old artist and co-owner of TL6 The Gallery. Jenny grew up in Holliston, MA and didn’t realize she wanted to pursue art until a friends mother introduced her to jewelry making in high school. She took some adult education classes to start preparing a portfolio for …

Meet Keri Branquinho, 31-year-old behavioural health care worker and Valedictorian of Bristol Community College’s 2018 graduating class. Keri has always had a love for learning and school, but after graduating high school she was more focused on working hard. She decided that she didn’t feel like she was ready for …

Meet Benny Olmeda, 37-year-old Realtor and Sales Manager at RE/MAX Vantage, as well as co-owner of Shop U7. Benny moved to the US at the age of 5 from Puerto Rico with his sister and mother, growing up in the Westlawn housing complex in the cities West End. Wanting to …

Meet Josh Amaral, New Bedford School Committee member and Assistant Director of Fuel Assistance and Planning at PACE. Josh spent his entire life in New Bedford, graduating from New Bedford High School in 2011. Upon graduation, he attended UMass Dartmouth majoring in Political Science with the thought of one day …

Meet David Lima, 60-year-old Pastor of New Seasons Worship Center and Executive Minister of the Interchurch Council of Greater New Bedford. As early as David could remember he had a deep love for God and people, so much of a love that he even stood on a chair during one …

Meet Abrah Zion, 42-year-old Photographer, and owner of Miss Z Photography. Abrah has always been into photography, stealing her parent’s polaroid and film cameras as a kid, taking photos of anything she could. With both of her parents as teachers, she knew she wouldn’t be able to go to college …

Meet Nataniel Barbosa, 35-year-old master barber and co-owner of United Barbershop. Nataniel grew up in Cape Verde and moved to New Bedford at the age of 16. Coming to the country at that age made it very difficult for him to learn the language like a younger child would, but …

Meet Matthew Jezierski, 33-year-old Executive Chef, and co-owner of New Bedford Noodle Bowl. Matt grew up in a family that was always cooking, so it was no surprise to him that when he graduated high school, that he went to school to pursue a career in culinary. He wanted to …

Meet Jack Leao, 30-year-old DJ. Jack’s parents moved to the US from Cape Verde prior to his birth in the mid 80’s, which is where dad began DJing local events and parties. When he and his brother were old enough, their father began taking them to events to help him …