27th Annual COF MLK Breakfast

Hosted at Emmanuel College, the 27^th annual COF MLK Breakfast was an impactful event that brought the COF community together to engage in meaningful discussions on equity and justice. Emmanuel College President Beth Ross, along with Associate Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion, Keith Lezama, opened the gathering with welcoming remarks, setting the stage for an inspiring day.

The event began with a powerful gospel performance that set an uplifting tone for attendees, which included 139 in-person participants and 36 joining virtually, representing all five COF institutions, COF Inc., Longwood Collective, and a few local partners . The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Michael Curry, immediate past president of the Boston chapter of the NAACP, whose thought-provoking insights and historical contextualization captivated the audience. Read Dr. Curry’s full bio here.

COF Executive Director Claire Ramsbottom shared reflections on the history of this event and the present challenges we face. A highlight of the event was the presentation of the COF Inclusive Service Award to Dana Alsamsam of MassArt, recognizing outstanding contributions to inclusive excellence. Participants also had the opportunity to reflect on their personal commitments to equity and justice, culminating in the creation of the COF Collaborative Commitments Quilt—a collective visual representation of the community’s dedication to action.