The story of Kyle Neves starts with two ambitious Portuguese immigrants who decided that one day, they would leave behind everything they knew and loved in pursuit of fulfilling the promise of the American Dream. With nothing but a suitcase and the fantasy of a better life on the horizon, my parents made an incredible sacrifice to ensure that their future children, myself and my brother Jason, would be granted the opportunity to face a life better than the one they left behind in the rural north of Portugal. After settling down in Fall River, Massachusetts, my parents instilled in me from a young age that I should never settle for anything less than my best, something which translated into every aspect of my life. From the soccer field to the classroom, I made sure to keep my standards high, and to always demand the best out of myself and others. Thus came forth my mantra; #NeverSettle.
After running for class president in my junior year of high school, I realized my unparalleled passion for Fall River and was given the platform to empower others across my school and community. By hosting cultural nights, attending community building events, initiating my ‘I AM FALL RIVER’ t-shirt movement, or advocating for the construction of a new Durfee High School, I did my best to immerse myself in my community in such beautiful ways. My time as student body president truly was what prompted me to switch my major from sports management to political science before I had even set foot on a college campus.
Once I arrived in Amherst for my first semester at UMass, I sought to use my four years researching Fall River, so that one day, I could use my degree to return to my city and help initiate meaningful change. Since then, I have completed my Political Science major, as well as both my Spanish and Sustainable Community Development minors. From downtown revitalization projects or waterfront renewal initiatives to my community-building strategies and vision selling, there has never been a moment where Fall River wasn’t the subject of my work. I have published work on spatial inequalities through liquor store clustering, given presentations on the demise and revival of post-industrial cities, and have used this website to share my research with you.
Outside the classroom, I have found that the best way to learn in life is through experiences. By keeping a positive, open-minded attitude, I have been fortunate enough to experience working in the Office of Mayor Paul Coogan, Fall River Board of Elections, Fall River Emergency Medical Services, Hartsbrook School, and Office of State Representative Carole Fiola. These experiences, mixed with my time abroad in Seville, Spain, and traveling Europe, truly made me a better man. Along the way, I have come to learn just how amazing people are all over the globe.
kyleneves.org 