2019 Unity Breakfast
The 2019 Unity Breakfast January 21, 2019 was another inspiring and thought-provoking program that celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King’s life and legacy, challenging the 380 participants to re-commit to racial, social and economic justice.
Highlights of the 2019 Unity Breakfast included:
Honorary Host, Officer Tony Physic of the Watertown Police Department, who convened this year’s event and served as its master of ceremonies.
Keynote Speaker, Rahsaan Hall, Director of the Racial Justice Program for the ACLU of Massachusetts. Mr. Hall challenged the notion that racism no longer exists in American society, and challenged participates to "interrogate the notion of success and progress". He described how racial disparities continue to exist and are reinforced by systemic denial of opportunities.
Winners of Middle and High School Essay Contests who shared their personal understandings of Dr. King’s life and message. In addition, Watertown Middle School students shared an anti-racism "public service announcement" (PSA) video that they had created.
Slideshow of the new MLK public mural ("The Time is Always Right") on the wall facing the Boys & Girls Club basketball court.
Music and entertainment by "A Besere Velt", a chorale group from Brookline, and the Hip Hop Legacy Dance Team from the Watertown Boys and Girls Club.
The Annual Unity Award presented to Mark Harris, retiring minister of the First Parish of Watertown, also a founding member and organizer of World in Watertown and the Unity Breakfast..
Delicious and hearty breakfast catered by the Watertown Deluxe Diner.
The 2019 Unity Breakfast received extensive press coverage from WCATV, Watertown News, and the Watertown Tab. In addition, Watertown artist Sheri Kennedy prepared a set of colorful "sketch notes" for the event.
