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QCC to host 37th annual MLK Jr. Community Breakfast virtually

  • Posted by Colleges in 016 January 17, 2022 - Filed in News - 1,601 views

    Worcester – Quinsigamond Community College will host the 37th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Community Breakfast virtually, on Monday, January 17, 2022.   This year’s event theme will once again focus on the day of recognition for Dr. King as, “More than a Day Off.” 

    “Each year QCC is host to this important and impactful community event that honors Dr. King.  I cannot help but think of him as we just recently recognized the year anniversary of the insurrection on the U.S. Capitol, yet our democracy stood strong and once again, a peaceful transition of power took place. Dr. King fought for equity, equality and a democracy where all can prosper,” said QCC President Luis G. Pedraja, Ph.D. “We must work with renewed vigor to ensure we continue his legacy that inspires us all to achieve a nation in which people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character, as Dr. King dreamed.”

    All Worcester and surrounding community members are welcome to view the virtual event at no cost, beginning at 7:45 a.m. on January 17, 2022 by visiting www.QCC.edu/mlkbreakfast. Following the live presentation, a recording of the event will be available on the same webpage.  The Master of Ceremony for the breakfast will be Phil Niddrie, former Special Projects Coordinator for the City Manager's Office.

    This year the MLK Jr. Community Breakfast Committee is excited to welcome guest speaker Educator and Author Dr. Kellie Carter Jackson, along with several musical selections from local church choral groups.  Dr. Jackson is an associate professor in the department of Africana Studies at Wellesley College and author of the award-winning book, Force & Freedom: Black Abolitionists and the Politics of Violence, listed by the Washington Post as one of 13 books to read on African American History.

    As has been the tradition, the Committee will also be recognizing the winners of an area Essay and Art contest held at area schools, in addition to this year’s MLK Scholarship winners. Scholarships are funded through the Committee’s yearly golf tournament, with one funded through Quinsigamond Community College.

    In addition, the annual Eleanor Hawley Community Service Award will be awarded to former YWCA Executive Director, Ms. Linda Cavaioli. This distinguished award is not only in recognition of her commitment and leadership to the MLK Jr. Breakfast for many years, but also to for her tireless efforts to ensure the improvement in life opportunities to people throughout the City of Worcester and beyond, as well as her never-ending efforts in the arena of civil rights, women’s rights and a host of other issues.

    As part of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Breakfast, United Way of Central Massachusetts, the Worcester Area Mission Society (WAMS), and United Congregational Church are collecting new books for second and third grade students in Worcester Public Schools.  With sponsorship from Unum Group, the books will be added to literacy kits and distributed through school principals.  Age-appropriate books are needed on Dr. King, other civil rights leaders, or justice and equity topics.  A list of suggested books can be found on the WAMS website,  https://wamsworks.org/dr-martin-luther-king-jr-community-breakfast-book-drive-list-of-books/.  Books can be dropped off at the Worcester Area Mission Society, 6 Institute Rd., Worcester, Monday-Thursday, 9:00 a.m. – noon, from now through January 19, or tax deductible cash donations can be made to WAMS at https://wamsworks.org/.  WAMS staff will use all money donated to this drive to buy needed books.  Anyone with questions should call Karen Ludington at 508.755.2329, ext. 4.

    Event sponsors include Quinsigamond Community College, National Grid, UMass Chan Medical School, UMass Memorial Health and Hanover Insurance Group.

    “On behalf of the Breakfast Committee I want to thank everyone who has participated in the Breakfast over the past 37 years, and those who have made additional donations to the scholarships awarded all these years," said Nellie Toney, who has been on the Committee for the lifetime of the Breakfast and has served as Co-chair and Chair during those years. “It is our hope to be back in-person in 2023.”

    To learn more about the event or to make a donation to the Scholarship Fund, visit www.QCC.edu/mlkbreakfast. 

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