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Local Voices

14th Annual World of Wellesley Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast

Sun Life Financial will host the 14th annual World of Wellesley (WOW) Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast, an event celebrating the life and legacy of the honorable civil rights activist, on Monday, January 20. Individual tickets are available for $25 or $250 for a table, and can be purchased at the event.

 

Dr. Augustus A. White will deliver the keynote address, speaking on disparities in health care. Dr. White is former Beth Israel Hospital Orthopaedic Surgeon-in-Chief and current Ellen and Melvin Gordon Distinguished Professor of Medical Education, Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Harvard Medical School. The breakfast program will also feature cultural performances by the Kuumba Singers of Harvard College and Wellesley High School’s Thunder Step Squad, and an introduction by Sun Life AVP and Senior Council, Joyce Elden. Sun Life has been a sponsor of WOW since 2003, and has hosted the annual breakfast for the past four years.

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“We are so proud to once again celebrate the life of Martin Luther King, Jr., and are excited to welcome Dr. Augustus A. White as this year’s keynote speaker,” said World of Wellesley President Je'Lesia Jones. “We’re thankful for the support we have received from everyone who has made this program a success year after year, especially our perennial host, Sun Life Financial.”

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In addition to his role as Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery and director of the Culturally Competent Care Education program at Harvard Medical School, Dr. White is the author (with David Chanoff) of the book Seeing Patients: Unconscious Bias in Health Care. He was also the founding president of the J. Robert Gladden Orthopaedic Society, a multicultural organization with a mission to eliminate orthopaedic health care disparities and enhance diversity in the orthopaedic profession.

 

Following the breakfast, the World of Wellesley will hold a showing of the family movie, Our Friend, Martin, at Wellesley High School. A pizza lunch will be offered and all ages are welcome to attend.

 

The World of Wellesley was founded in 1990 to support and promote racial and cultural diversity in Wellesley. The organization sponsors a variety of events throughout the year focused on diversity, including a series of programs co-sponsored by the Wellesley Free Library. WOW also recognizes local businesses and other organizations for actions in support of diversity. World of Wellesley co-hosts a variety of local programs throughout the year, and in addition to Sun Life, partners with Babson College and Wellesley College.

 

During its 23 years history, WOW has produced/co-produced an average of 20 programs per year on diversity, or 600 programs total. Their partnership with the Wellesley Public School System resulted in an essay program on diversity, in which over 400 fifth grade students from seven elementary schools participate annually. The mission for recognition, inclusion and acceptance for all people who desire to reside in the Town of Wellesley is a major staple and continues to be a strong motivator in the WOW efforts. WOW has been recognized by the Town of Wellesley for its contributions to the community.

 

The Martin Luther King, Jr. breakfast is jointly sponsored by The World of Wellesley and Sun Life Financial.

 

For more information, please contact Melissa Clemence Padley at mclemence@aol.com.




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