Meet Abdourahmane Doumbouya, 26 year old Senior Software Support Engineer and Musician from New Bedford.

Abdourahmane, also known as Abdou, moved to the United States in the December of 1996 from Senegal, West Africa, after a quick stay in France. As a kid he always felt a barrier between himself and others, as a young, black, Muslim living in the country. In Africa, he had the freedoms of a teenager and had to revert back to doing the things children do here.

He found that once he stopped trying to fit in with everyone around him, he found himself and actually started to make friends. This was all great until the unfortunate events of 9/11, where he was treated as an outcast, even by some teachers, for weeks.

As most children who are immigrated to the states, he found himself without documentation. The attacks on 9/11 made it even harder for his family to get him any type of citizenship with added security measures put into place. As all of his friends were getting their licenses and picking out colleges, Abdou felt alone once again, even making excuses to why he couldn’t join in these activities with them. During this time, he really poured his life into making music, not only to cope with these struggles but to give a voice to those who were stuck in the same situation.

It wasn’t until 2012, where after working multiple jobs under the table and trying to just get by he was covered until President Obama’s Dream Act, which failed twice in Congress before he put it into effect with an Executive Order. This allowed for children who didn’t have the option to come into the country and had excelled in school to become a legal resident in the United States.

Shortly after he began his career working for LogMeIn where he is a high level support engineer on two of their products, Rescue and BoldChat. Aside from that his music career is able to now reach heights he couldn’t get to in the past in fear of facing deportation. Recording between Boston, New York, and LA he is hoping to put out two albums this year under his moniker ‘Caliph.’ He hopes that his music becomes the voice for the millions of others who struggle just as he did to make a place in this world.

“If what I am leaving in this world changes one person’s life for the better, then I’ve done my job. I hope to do that and positively impact the world.”

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Faces of New Bedford is a project by Colton Simmons. If you are interested in booking a shoot or getting prints from the series email all inquiries to colton@coltonsimmons.com

Follow Colton on Instagram: https://instagram.com/simmonscolton

Meet Ed Rodrigues, 62-year old retired teacher and basketball coach at New Bedford High School, who recently became the Athletic Director for Wareham High school.

Ed grew up in the south end of New Bedford where there was a lot of negative temptations. Alongside his good friend, Brian Baptiste, who is the Head Basketball coach at UMass Dartmouth, filled his time with playing basketball, instead of getting involved in the trouble that surrounded them.

After graduating high school, he went on to college, and upon returning to New Bedford started coaching and teaching U.S. History at New Bedford High. New Bedford is his home and he felt it was important to return to the city that he loved to impact kids who wanted and out from the trouble just like him. In his time as the Men’s Varsity basketball coach he led the team to win 2 State Championships and multiple conference championships. His biggest enjoyment of coach and teaching was seeing kids overcome their trials and go on to succeed in life.

He made such an impact at the school during his time there that they even named the basketball court after him. After retiring from his career at the school he couldn’t stay away from being involved in teenagers lives and accepted the position as the Athletic Director for Wareham High School.

“Give an effort every single day, have a passion for what you are doing, and be loyal to those who have helped you out.”

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Faces of New Bedford is a project by Colton Simmons. If you are interested in booking a shoot or getting prints from the series email all inquiries to colton@coltonsimmons.com

Follow Colton on Instagram: https://instagram.com/simmonscolton

Happy New Year! Meet Roger Andrews, a 45-year-old commercial artist.

Roger grew up in the city and came from a modest family, who lived in and out of some of the housing projects throughout the city. With moments to spare, during the summer after his eighth-grade year, he got into New Bedford Voc-Tech, where he pursued the commercial art program.

During that time, graphic design was mostly drawing based, which allowed him to grow technically. Upon graduating he enrolled in Butera School of Art, which has in recent years been absorbed by Fisher College, where he continued his education in their two-year Sign Painting program. Having impressed the faculty at the school he received a full ride to take part in their 3-year Commercial Art program, which they allowed him to finish in 2.

Upon graduating, he worked for several years for ad agencies in Boston, understanding and learning what it took to make it in the graphic art business. He would notice that when the companies he worked for had large projects, they would hire freelance designers, who made exponentially more than he did at the time, to assist in completing these contracts. It was soon after than he decided to venture into the freelance world.

Some years after this decision, he also started teaching at his alma mater, where he formed a close relationship with one of his students Chris Ford. Chris went on to work for Hasbro in the games department and this was the moment that Roger’s life as a commercial artist really started to take shape. Chris asked for assistance on Hasbro’s board game redesign project from Roger, which opened amazing doors for him. He was introduced to Bill Concannon, who Chris later started Pilot with, and this led to Roger doing more work with Hasbro.

Since then Roger has worked on character design for all of Hasbro’s Star Wars Galactic Heroes line and Marvel’s Super Hero Squad, as well as many board games that we know and love. This opportunity, has allowed for Roger to see the world and even be a keynote guest at comic conventions all over the world.

Roger has also done work for Angry Birds, Jurassic World, Transformers, and Best Fiends, just to name a few.

As an artist, Andrews is appreciative of the renaissance that is taking place in our city. With the support that is show to young creatives and entrepreneurs he hopes to see our city continue to progress in the direction that it is headed.

To check out Roger’s work visit his site: http://www.rand247.com

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Faces of New Bedford is a project by Colton Simmons. If you are interested in booking a shoot or getting prints from the series email all inquiries to colton@coltonsimmons.com

Follow Colton on Instagram: https://instagram.com/simmonscolton

Meet John Biel, one of the many homeless on the streets of New Bedford.

Without a place for him to live he struggles trying to find a job that will hire him. Most nights he has no idea where he is going to sleep, as he tries to do whatever he can during the day to get money for food. With the early admittance time for the Sister Rose house, it’s just not feasible for anyone trying to work to get in at night.

Although he has faced homelessness for many years now, he is thankful for the people who have helped him in his time of need. Local businesses in the South End, like New Bedford House of Pizza, have helped provide him food when he didn’t have all of the money to pay for it.

Although pan handling is a major issue in our city, it is how he survives. He has even been put in compromising situations, where people have told him that the only way they would give him money would be to admit he was buying alcohol with it.

“I am so grateful for everyone who has helped me. I never know if tomorrow is going to be the day that things fall apart, but thank you for all of your help.”

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Faces of New Bedford is a project by Colton Simmons. If you are interested in booking a shoot or getting prints from the series email all inquiries to colton@coltonsimmons.com

Follow Colton on Instagram: https://instagram.com/simmonscolton

Meet Ashley Bendiksen, a 29-year old, and the Executive Assistant to the Bristol County District Attorney.

Ashley, who had spent a brief time in college after she graduated high school, became involved in an abusive relationship which forced her to leave school. Once she eventually freed herself from that relationship she spent time volunteering and working in New Bedford to piece her life back together.

Remembering what her childhood dance teacher had told her about the Miss New Bedford contest, she saw that were she to win, she would receive a scholarship to allow her to afford to attend school again, as well as engage even more in the community. After lots of work and dedication she walked across the stage and received the title of Miss New Bedford 2009. As a requirement she also spent the next year volunteering to help raise awareness for domestic violence.

She eventually returned to school and at 26, she graduated from Salve Regina University as valedictorian, with her Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice. She appreciates the experiences she has been through in order to get where she has and New Bedford has played a major role in that. When she felt that she had nothing she was able to build her identity in this city through her experience, the community, and her job. She has had the opportunity to work on the Board of Directors of the YWCA, as the chairperson of the Miss New Bedford program, chairperson of the Southeastern Massachusetts Walk to End Alzheimer’s and President of One Theater Group – a non profit theater group that she helped found which raises money for various organizations.

“New Bedford offers so much. As far as living here there is so much to do, diverse people, amazing music and arts, history and culture, and it’s a great central location to enjoy the entire New England area. There’s also so much opportunity here, whether it’s running a business or starting your own nonprofit. I think it’s just an awesome place to live.”

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Faces of New Bedford is a project by Colton Simmons. If you are interested in booking a shoot or getting prints from the series email all inquiries to colton@coltonsimmons.com

Follow Colton on Instagram: https://instagram.com/simmonscolton

Meet Manuel Mederios, 64-year-old barber in New Bedford.

Manuel and his family migrated to New Bedford when he was only 12 years old and has lived here ever since. When he first got his barber’s license he managed a barbershop on Union street for a few years before opening his own, Your Father’s Mustache, right around the corner.

Since opening the shop he has been in operation for 33 years and has become a landmark in the Purchase street landscape. He loves the cities sense of community, as it has allowed him to build his business through word of mouth, which he continues to do without any advertising.

He hopes that the city’s economy has a resurgence of job opportunities. He remembers when someone could lose their job in the morning and have a new one by the evening time and sees the potentional for that to return.

“Remain grateful. Somebody might have driven by 4-5 barbershops to get here and I always stay humbled every time someone walks through the door.”

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Faces of New Bedford is a project by Colton Simmons. If you are interested in booking a shoot or getting prints from the series email all inquiries to colton@coltonsimmons.com

Follow Colton on Instagram: https://instagram.com/simmonscolton

Meet Lorenzo Vazquez, a case manager with Seven Hills Behavioral Health.

He moved to New Bedford in 1997 to seek better opportunities for his family. He started his career in as an advocate at the Health Center back in 2000 when he saw the need in this city for people to stand up for those who didn’t have a voice.

Recently, after a split with his ex-wife, he has assumed full responsibility for his four children, which can be a daunting task for him. Juggling his career and raising his children alone has been tough but amidst it all, he is still chasing his other passions, which include opening a bakery.

He has always dreamed of opening his own bakery and that dream is slowly becoming a reality as he renovates its future home in the north end of New Bedford. When opened it will become New Bedford’s first Spanish bakery, serving breakfast and plenty of Spanish delicacies.

He loves New Bedford because upon arriving here he knew nobody but was made welcome by the community here. The fact that although there are many negative things going on and yet as people we persevere really encourages him.

“We need more community oneness. Although we have many cultures here, we would see a better community if we all came together to make it happen. We see too many divisions between ethnicities that stop us from being able to truly make a difference.”

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Faces of New Bedford is a project by Colton Simmons. If you are interested in booking a shoot or getting prints from the series email all inquiries to colton@coltonsimmons.com

Follow Colton on Instagram: https://instagram.com/simmonscolton

Meet Samantha Johnson, a 26 year-old singer.

Samantha moved to New Bedford at the age of 12 from Dennis because her father took on new responsibilities at work, but she secretly thinks he did it because he wanted his family to be more cultured.

As a full time singer, Samantha has been able to travel around the globe. Before her run on America’s Got Talent this past summer, she worked on the Michael Jackson Tribute show for four years as the lead female vocalist.

Samantha owes a lot of her drive and determination to the music program she was heavily involved with at New Bedford High School. Under the leadership of Ms. Brasil, she learned how to set goals, create plans to accomplish them and, most importantly, strive towards those goals until they are completed.

With her recent shot to fame, she is constantly being pulled in all directions, one in particular, is to move away. She just couldn’t imagine doing that though. Her siblings go to school here, her friends are here, and most importantly her home is here. Out of the places she’s visited New Bedford is different, you can find anything you want here, culture, passion, art. She also enjoys how real people are here, they have real lives with real struggles, and it’s hard to find that anywhere else.

“I want people to visit New Bedford like we visit New York, or LA. We have everything we need to make New Bedford a destination, we just have to realize the potential and run with it.”

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Faces of New Bedford is a project by Colton Simmons. If you are interested in booking a shoot or getting prints from the series email all inquiries to colton@coltonsimmons.com

Follow Colton on Instagram: https://instagram.com/simmonscolton

Meet Joshua Lemaire, 27-year-old chef and owner of dNB Burger.

Having lived in the area his entire life, he was drawn by the charm of the city to the downtown area. After working in restaurants for 10 years and attending Le Cordon Bleu, his passion for cooking resulted in the birth of dNB Burger.

Now dNB isn’t your normal restaurant, that seems to be molded by a cookie cutter and operated in the typical manner every other establishment is. It is the home to a from-scratch kitchen, which only 400years ago was common place but now it is an almost non-existent commodity. With the commercialization of almost everything in our lives, Josh wanted to break the mold, which they do at dNB Burger everyday.

Although he may work longer days and work harder to grind the meat and prepare the sauces (just to name a few of the things they do daily), this is a sacrifice Josh is willing to make to serve great food to his customers. He doesn’t do what he does for the money, but for the satisfaction of serving something mind blowing to his customers.

He hopes to see the community realize what a precious city we have and start cutting some slack for the good that is really going on here. So many local entrepreneurs are taking risks in hopes to make this city better and he encourages everyone to continue their hard work.

“Someone once told me that you ‘Need to be the change you want to see in the world,’ and that really stuck with me.”

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Faces of New Bedford is a project by Colton Simmons. If you are interested in booking a shoot or getting prints from the series email all inquiries to colton@coltonsimmons.com

Follow Colton on Instagram: https://instagram.com/simmonscolton

Meet Kathy Plante, a 57-year-old Registered Nurse of 36 years and Professor at Bristol Community College.

Kathy is not only a full-time faculty member at BCC, she is also a full-time wife, mother, and student at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, working towards her PhD in Nurse Research.

For Kathy, there was no one moment or experience in her life that made her decide to become a nurse. Innately, she always knew that nursing was her goal. After much hard work and determination, she graduated from the Nursing Program at Bristol Community College—the same program where she educates students, today. Kathy went on to work at St. Luke’s Hospital in the the Labor and Delivery and Maternity departments for 27 years, caring for thousands the citizens from our city and local community.

With a profession that is in such a high demand, Kathy could have gone anywhere for work, but chose New Bedford for so many reasons. With deep Madeiran roots, she loves the Portuguese culture of our city. She and her husband, Steve, volunteer every year at our annual Feast of the Blessed Sacrament. Kathy and her husband also love the atmosphere of the downtown area, frequenting the shops and restaurants that call it home.

Although Kathy has moved on from a life-long dream at St. Luke’s Hospital, she has moved on to another life-long dream in her current position as an Associate Professor of Nursing at BCC. The best part of her job is the students, who come from various backgrounds and age groups. With the course load being so demanding, she is encouraged to see non-traditional college students, some even older than herself, persevere, graduate, and achieve their dreams.

Returning to education for her Bachelors, Masters, and PhD, 27 years after graduating, Kathy is an advocate and “cheerleader” to all returning students, no matter what age they are.

“As a current student, I know what it is like to work full-time while going to school full-time. I know what it’s like to lose my weekends and miss out on family events, but in the end, it will be worth all the hard work and sacrifice.”

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Faces of New Bedford is a project by Colton Simmons. If you are interested in booking a shoot or getting prints from the series email all inquiries to colton@coltonsimmons.com

Follow Colton on Instagram: https://instagram.com/simmonscolton