Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Breakfast Committee

02/28/2026

We were pleased to honor twelve high school seniors from Boston Latin Academy, Boston Latin School, the Edward M. Kennedy Academy for Health Careers, the Dr. Albert D. Holland School of Technology, and John D. O'Bryant School for Mathematics and Science.

Mathworks, The Massachusetts Gaming Commission, The Denny, Miles and Streat Families, Cabot Corporation, Carl and Bridget Long, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, the Epsicopal Diocese of Massachusetts, Fidelity Investments, Keolis Commuter Services, Liberty Mutual Insurance, the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, the New Commonwealth Fund and Nellie Mae Education Foundation, and the Wu Committee are the proud sponsors of the High School Scholarship Awards, providing a $2,500 scholarship to each high school senior.

These graduating students were chosen based on thoughtful essay submissions on our theme “The Fierce Urgency of Now: Revolutionary Love, Liberation, and Joy.”

Boston Latin School
* Able Ebbi

Boston Latin Academy
* Carl Matteus Washington
* Daniel Idemudia

John D. O'Bryant School for Mathematics and Science
* Cliddanie Bellevue
* Kelyse Foster
* Aeisha Beckford
* Fraydique Alexander Gaitan Rodriguez

Dr. Albert D. Holland School of Technology
* Hannah Banh

Edward M. Kennedy Academy for Health Careers
* Rebecca Kabeya
* Amani Pagan
* Ludiane Mayara Pereira Castro
* BjBellie Jean

Congratulations to our scholarship winners!

02/17/2026

02/17/2026

The MLK Memorial Breakfast Committee honored 10th grade high school student artists at Fenway High School and collegiate students from MassArt with the MLK Art Award and check to support their talent and ambition.

Fenway High School:
Dylan Steinmetz
Sebastien Gutierrez
Jazmin Medina

MassArt:
Ferguson Sam Forgue
Treyvon Nugent

02/14/2026

2026 True Compass Awardees - Byron Rushing and Frieda Garcia

Byron Rushing is a civil rights and community organizer. Byron has held many titles, including Director for the Urban Change Program for the Urban League, President of the Museum of African American History, Co-Chair of the Massachusetts Health Disparities Council, and many more. Byron also served as a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives representing Boston’s Ninth Suffolk District from 1983 to 2018. Byron is well known for becoming the leading progressive voice on issues related to LGBTQ+ rights, healthcare reform, racial justice, and affordable housing. Throughout his life, Byron has been recognized for his advocacy and leadership reflecting on decades of dedication to advancing equity, preserving history, and improving the lives of those in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Frieda Garcia is a Dominican-born community activist and organizer who has spent decades working to improve life in Boston’s South End and Roxbury neighborhoods. Frieda has contributed over 50 years of work in the public sector and has served on over 70 nonprofit boards as a community leader, including chairman of the board of directors for The Boston Foundation, The Massachusetts Foundation for Humanities and Policy, and the United Way. She was also the founding member and first director of La Alianza Hispana, a Latino service organization. Frieda also served as Executive Director of the United South End Settlement for 20 years where she expanded programs in education, affordable housing, literacy, and job training.

02/12/2026

2026 MLK Breakfast Drum Major Award Recipient - M. David Lee

M. David Lee is the President and managing partner of Stull and Lee, Inc. Mr. Lee is a graduate of the University of Illinois and Harvard Graduate School of Design and holds joint degrees in Architecture and Urban Design. Mr. Lee is a former Adjunct Professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Design and has served on the faculties of the RISD and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Mr. Lee is a Fellow in the American Institute of Architects and is a past President of the Boston Society of Architects.

Stull and Lee, Inc. was founded in 1966 and is an award-winning architecture, urban design, and planning firm. The firm’s experience includes the design of multi-family housing and the design of educational and health care institutions, office buildings, retail and manufacturing facilities. The Stull and Lee, Inc. portfolio also includes highway infrastructure, transit stations, and related facilities. A significant portion of the firm’s work is in institutional master planning and large-scale urban design and planning commissions nationwide.

Notably, Stull and Lee, Inc. projects have frequently been cited for design excellence, including the Presidential Design Award from the National Endowment for the Arts for the design leadership of Boston’s Southwest Corridor transit project. The firm has also received multiple awards from the American Institute of Architects, and its Boston and New England affiliates.

02/12/2026

2026 MLK Breakfast True Compass Award Recipient - Karen Holmes Ward

Before her recent retirement, after a 44 year career in broadcasting, Karen Holmes Ward was the Director of Public Affairs and Community Services at WCVB. She was also the host and executive producer of City Line, WCVB’s award-winning weekly magazine program which addresses the accomplishments, concerns and issues facing people of color living in Boston and its suburbs. Karen also oversaw WCVB’s public service and community outreach efforts.

Karen has received honorary doctorates in humane letters and communications from Boston University, Cambridge College, and Merrimack College. Notably, Karen was inducted into the Massachusetts Broadcasters Hall of Fame for her outstanding achievements and unparalleled contributions to the broadcasting industry in Massachusetts. Karen has also received a plethora of prestigious awards including, the Associated Press’ best public affair show, the NAACP’s Ida B. Wells Barnett Award for women in the media and most recently, the Massachusetts Broadcasters Association 2025 broadcaster of the year and has been a mentor to dozens of nonprofit groups over the years.

Andrew Vrees, President & General Manager of WCVB and Hannah Wilson, Director of Public Affairs & Community Service accepted the award on Karen’s behalf.

02/11/2026

2026 MLK Breakfast Drum Major Award Recipient - YouthBuild Boston

Peter Hunt is the Executive Director of YouthBuild Boston. Peter is a nonprofit leader and community advocate based in Boston. Peter is a Dorchester native and mission-driven professional with a deep commitment to youth development, workforce training, and community transformation through his work with YouthBuild Boston. He is dedicated to creating pathways to opportunity for young people who have been historically disconnected from education and employment, helping them build the skills, confidence, and leadership needed to achieve long-term success.

At YouthBuild Boston, Mr. Hunt supports programs that integrate education, construction and design training, leadership development, and social-emotional learning. His work centers on empowering young adults to earn educational and workforce credentials, access meaningful careers, and become active contributors to their communities while addressing critical needs such as affordable housing and community revitalization.

A core focus of Mr. Hunt’s leadership is ensuring that young people are equipped not only with technical skills, but also with the tools to advocate for themselves, manage life challenges, and pursue economic stability. He is especially passionate about centering equity, dignity, and opportunity in all aspects of youth programming. Mr. Hunt is a strong believer in the power of mentorship and community partnerships, recognizing that collective effort is essential to creating lasting impact. Through collaboration with educators, employers, civic leaders, and community organizations, he helps advance YouthBuild Boston’s mission to break cycles of poverty and inequity.

Guided by a lifelong commitment to service, Peter Hunt continues to champion the transformative work of YouthBuild Boston, helping young people build careers, communities, and futures rooted in purpose and possibility.

Darius Smith and Neil Daniel accepted the award on behalf of YouthBuild Boston.

02/11/2026

2026 Drum Major Awardee - Epsilon Gamma Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

For 119 years, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (Alpha) has called its members to develop leaders, strengthen brotherhood, and serve as advocates for their communities. In Boston since 1949, this mission has been carried forward by the Epsilon Gamma Lambda (EGL) Alumni Chapter through nationally recognized programs and locally driven community and social justice initiatives that honor the legacy of our Brother, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

EGL Chapter of Alpha demonstrates a deep commitment to service, civic engagement, and community uplift consistent with the legacy of Brother Dr. King. In June 2025, the chapter participated in the unveiling of the MLK Marker at 14 Wabon Street in Roxbury, commemorating Dr. King’s fraternal beginnings as an initiate of Sigma Chapter during his doctoral studies at Boston University. EGL also advances voter education and civic participation. In November 2024, the chapter hosted a presidential debate watch party as part of Alpha’s A Voteless People is a Hopeless People initiative, creating space for dialogue while registering community members to vote.

The chapter consistently invests in equity through education, health, and culture. EGL annually supports the March of Dimes, raising $2,500 for maternal and infant health, and led the Organization of New England Chapters of Alpha (ONECA) Juneteenth Family Day, uniting Alpha chapters and families across the region. Grounded in Alpha’s Go to High School, Go to College initiative, EGL partnered with the Edward W. Brooke III Education Foundation to launch the Boston Alpha Derby Scholarship Fundraiser. In 2025 alone, the initiative raised more than $20,000, contributing to over $90,000 in scholarships awarded to African American young men throughout metropolitan Boston.

The Drum Major Award was accepted by Chapter President, Jason Burrell and Immediate-Past President, Andreas Douglas.

01/23/2026

Thank you for your support !!

“Courage is not the absence of fear, but the determination to act in spite of that fear,” -. A powerful message from this year’s keynote speaker to guide us through this year. The BTU and are proud to sponsor this annual celebration of Dr.King’s legacy!

01/23/2026

Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day from the BTU. As we face unprecedented challenges this year, we are emboldened by Dr. King’s refusal to give up on equality, justice and America.

01/23/2026

This morning, I was grateful to join community leaders and organizers at the 56th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Breakfast in Boston to honor the life and enduring mission of Dr. King.

I was reminded of the power of standing united and persistent in the work ahead.