BMC Partners with Community to Honor Dr. King’s Legacy

The legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. echos across so many social issues affecting our communities: workers’ rights, access to quality education, discrimination, transportation, and much more. While his work is present in Boston Medical Center’s (BMC’s) mission every day, today, we celebrate the life of Dr. King, his activism, and his dedication to equity and equality. 

In a recent Baystate Banner article, Thea James, MD, MBA, executive director of BMC’s Health Equity Accelerator and vice president of mission, emphasizes the importance of social factors that impact health and how they intersect. One of the most prominent social determinants of health that influences disparities in health outcomes is economic mobility. 

“The lack of ability for people to have financial security, to be able to build generational wealth, always leaves people having to prioritize other things or to settle for less,” James explains in the article. 

James herself, alongside her partner Rev. Irene Monroe, was celebrated this weekend by Embrace Boston. James and Monroe were one of only five couples named as 2025 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Coretta Scott King Honorees, chosen because they embody the Kings’ spirit as people and changemakers. As a couple and individually, James and Monroe have dedicated their lives to working fiercely for a more equitable Boston. 

BMC and our community partners have continued dedication to live out Dr. King’s values and philosophy through transformative thinking, challenging the status quo, and working with the community to co-create programs that address the root causes of health inequities. Over the past weekend, BMC celebrated Dr. King’s life and work with other community partners and participated in meaningful conversations on advancing equity in Boston through sponsorship of these inspiring events. 

YMCA of Greater Boston: 17th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast

On January 17, the YMCA of Greater Boston hosted its 17th annual breakfast in Roxbury, with BMC as one of the lead sponsors. Businesses and communities came together to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The proceeds from the breakfast support YMCA programs and services for children, youth, families, and seniors.

Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Breakfast Committee ‘s 55th Annual Breakfast

On January 20, BMC helped sponsor the 55th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Breakfast, which remembered Dr. King’s legacy and recognized the contributions of community leaders. We gathered to break bread and to be nourished for the urgent work of justice and equity.

Boston Children’s Chorus: 22nd Annual “Road to Freedom” Tribute Concert

BMC also sponsored the Boston Children’s Chorus “Road to Freedom” tribute concert on January 20. During this event, the intersecting paths of two iconic figures in the fight for civil rights: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Malcolm X were explored, as was the complex and multifaceted relationship between these figures. The event highlighted their shared struggles, divergent tactics, and ultimate contributions to the fight for equality. 

Dr. King once said, “Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health is the most shocking and the most inhuman because it often results in physical death.” These words continue to be true today. His body of work is inspiration for unity, progress, and the drive to continue to combat these injustices while uplifting each other.