The organizers of the Unity Breakfast provided the following announcement:
On Monday, January 21, 2019 Watertown will celebrate its nineteenth Unity Breakfast on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. The event brings together hundreds of people, representing Watertown’s diverse population, to remember Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the man who devoted his life to ending prejudice and racism in our country.
The Unity Breakfast has become a Watertown tradition, drawing over 400 guests. The program includes a timely keynote speaker, lively choral music, essays and art projects by Watertown middle and high school students, and the presentation of the Unity Award to Watertown individuals or community organizations that have demonstrated outstanding community service to the town. This year the Honorary Host will be Officer Tony Physic of the Watertown Police Department.
This year’s keynote speaker is Rashaan Hall, Director of the Racial Justice Program for the ACLU of Massachusetts. In this role Rahsaan helps develop the ACLU of Massachusetts’ integrated advocacy approach to address racial justice issues. Through legislative advocacy, litigation and community engagement, the program works on issues that deeply impact communities of color and historically disenfranchised communities.
Prior to joining the ACLU of Massachusetts, Rahsaan was the Deputy Director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Economic Justice where his work included policy and legislative advocacy, community outreach, and maintaining a litigation caseload of voting rights, police misconduct and public accommodations cases.
Rahsaan headed up the Voting Rights Project that included the coordination of the statewide Election Protection initiatives, voting rights litigation and his prior involvement in community coalitions on redistricting after the last decennial census. He holds a law degree from Northeastern University and a Master’s of Divinity from the Andover Newton Theological School.
Music this year will be provided by A Besere Velt, Yiddish for A Better World, and the chorus of the Boston Workmen’s Circle Center for Jewish Culture & Social Justice.
Watertown middle and high school students will also be actively involved in the program by sharing essays on Dr. King’s legacy and how his teachings relate to their lives. In addition, the hip-hop dance team from the Watertown Boys & Girls Club will perform.
The Unity Breakfast, sponsored by the World in Watertown in collaboration with Survival Education Fund, Inc. and Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment, will be held on Monday, January 21, 2019 at the Hellenic Cultural Center, 25 Bigelow Avenue, Watertown. The doors open at 8:15 am, breakfast is served from 8:30–9:00 a.m., and the program will take place from 9:00–11:00 a.m. Food is provided by the Deluxe Town Diner. Child care will be provided for pre-schoolers. The Hellenic Cultural Center is handicap accessible.
Tickets are $10 (children 12 and under free) and may be purchased at the door or online at http://www.UnityBreakfast2019.eventbrite.com (fees apply). For information call 617-794-0483 or email worldinwatertown@yahoo.com