2024 Host
José C. Massó III
José is the host and producer of “¡Con Salsa!” a weekly bilingual program featuring Afro-Latin music that airs on Saturday nights on WBUR 90.9FM, National Public Radio in Boston. For the past 47 years, “¡Con Salsa!” has served as “part music show, part party, part community center, the program is a Mecca for Latinos and lovers of things Latin.” (Boston Globe).
José was inducted into the Massachusetts Broadcasters Hall of Fame during its fourth annual ceremony and luncheon on September 16, 2010. He has the distinction of being the first Puerto Rican/Latino to join such a renowned group of radio and television broadcasters throughout the Commonwealth.
He received the prestigious gold medal for service to National Public Radio in 2015.
In April 2021, José was recognized by the Jazz Journalists Association as one of the 2021 Jazz Heroes, as an advocate who has had significant impact in their local communities. The “Jazz Hero” awards, made annually based on nominations from community members, are presented by their local fans and friends in conjunction with the JJA’s annual Jazz Awards honoring significant achievements in jazz music and journalism.
Radio is one of the many lanes that José has navigated in the highway of his professional career since coming to Boston in 1973.
He began as a bilingual teacher in the Boston Public Schools at Copley Square High School (now the Muriel Sutherland Snowden International School). His students urged him to pursue a career in media that led to his creating of “¡Con Salsa!” on June 22, 1975, and fifteen years as a television host including “La Plaza” on WGBH Channel 2 (PBS Boston) and the Emmy Award- winning bilingual public affairs program “Aquí”, which aired on WCVB-TV Channel 5.
After nearly fourteen years of public service, in 2021 José retired from the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) as the director of Policy.
He served our fellow citizens and residents of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts honorably beginning in Governor Michael Dukakis office in 1983, followed by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration and ending at Massport.
His experiences and accomplishments in the executive suite of Massport, in addition to those in prominent and groundbreaking positions of leadership in education, community affairs, communications, media, politics, government, entertainment, sports, academia, philanthropy and consulting provide him an opportunity to pursue a new chapter in his life.
José serves as principal of JCMIII Consulting LLC. His nearly five decades of experience are now providing professional consulting to corporate, public, academic, and non-profit organizations in the areas of Policy, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Community Relations and Government Affairs.
He is a respected leader in these areas and has used his unique skills and expertise in strategically building the skills and knowledge of his clients that result in transformational change.
After the 2021 City of Boston Mayoral elections, then Mayor elect Michelle Wu appointed José to her Transition Team as an advisor.
Throughout his career, José has received numerous awards and recognitions for his leadership and community service.
In 2022 Boston Magazine named José one of the 100 Most Influential Bostonians.
A gifted public speaker, he is frequently sought after for speaking engagements as a keynote and motivational speaker for private corporations, community-based organizations, and college and university student organizations, in addition to master of ceremonies for concerts and special events and moderator/facilitator of panels and meetings.
A native of Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, he is fluent in Spanish and skilled in cross-cultural communications.
José and his wife Divina reside in their home in Hyde Park with Jett, their Yorkshire Terrier.