MLK Event Carries
Dream Into New Century


Massachusetts State Senator Dianne Wilkerson delivered an impassioned keynote address at BIDMC’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration, held Jan. 20. Focusing on the event’s theme, “Continuing the Dream into the 21st Century,” Wilkerson said that ensuring equal access to health care is one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century. She reminded the audience that, like King and Rosa Parks, “the citizens sitting in this room have the ability” to meet such challenges. Following her speech, Allouma Clair, Healthcare Associates, and Roy A. Daley, materials operations and logistics, received the 2004 Black Achievers Awards.

(l-r) Wilkerson, BIDMC President and CEO Paul Levy, Clair,
and Daley.

The Groovers – Marcia Fearon, purchasing, Abimbola Sumonu, research, and Melissa Alexis-Bruce, development – performed an African dance inspired by Fearon’s vision.

Musical highlights included rousing numbers by BIDMC’s Inspirational Singers, and an interactive “BIDMC/MLK” audience rap led by Kelly Brice, health information management, Melvyn Bento, information systems, and Marlene DaCosta, BeWell!.

Click here to see more photos from the event and to read an inspirational poem by Quensella Cooper, R.N.