►
From YouTube: 'The Embrace' Unveiling
Description
On Friday, January 13th 2023, Mayor Michelle Wu gathered on the Boston Common with the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture, the Boston Art Commission, and Embrace Boston to announce the unveiling of 'The Embrace' and the 1965 Freedom Plaza by artist Hank Willis Thomas and MASS Design Group.
B
C
B
B
B
E
Family
in
Dorchester
to
hear
you
right
now,
so,
let's
start
over
good
good
afternoon,
everybody
we're
gonna.
Do
this
one!
My
name
is
Latoya
Edwards
and
I.
Am
your
host
your
traffic
cop,
your
guide
for
today
and
what
a
time
and
what
a
celebration
we
have
planned
for.
You
today
now
clearly
there's
so
much
energy
in
this
moment,
and
we
want
to
elevate
it
right
now.
Take
it
to
a
new
level.
I
see
you're
ready
to
have
a
good
time.
So
please
join
me.
E
E
Things
Coretta
and
Martin
have
chosen
any
institution
of
the
country,
but
Charles
Boston
institutions
for
their
graduate
education.
If
you
celebrate
that
they
met
and
began
their
Beautiful
Love
Story
here
in
Boston,
if
you
celebrate
their
lives,
their
sacrifice
and
their
legacy,
if
you
celebrate
it
all,
please
join
me
right
now
and
clap
your
hands
one
time
beautiful.
E
Finally,
if
you
are
excited
about
Embrace
Boston
the
work
they
have
accomplished
to
bring
us
the
Embraced
Monument
that
they
are
set
to
do
commemorating
Juneteenth
in
the
city
and
the
upcoming
Embrace
Center.
If
you
are
excited
about
the
Embrace
Boston's
impact
on
the
city
on
the
country
on
the
world
for
generations
to
come,
if
you
can,
please
stand
up
again
right
now.
Join
me
right
now
in
giving
them
a
get
up,
everybody
join
them
right
now
and
giving
them
a
loud,
a
boisterous.
A
wonderful,
a
footstep.
E
E
Now,
as
the
morning
anchor
for
NBC
Tim,
Boston,
I'll,
calm
it
down,
I
am
honored
to
bring
you
the
warmest
greetings
from
my
station,
my
family,
my
workplace,
nbc10
Boston.
We
have
been
with
the
Embraced
Boston
team
from
the
very
beginning,
because
we
know
that
the
Embrace
story
was
worthy
and
worthy
of
coverage
still
in
now,
not
just
for
today,
not
just
for
this
week,
but
also
for
the
future
and
Beyond.
Over
the
last
18
months
we
forged
an
unbreakable
partnership
with
Embrace
Boston
due
to
our
shared
values,
and
that
time
we
aired
two
specials.
E
We
went
live
from
the
Embrace
ideas,
Festival
traveled
to
Walla
Walla
Washington,
to
see
the
monument
being
made.
We
look
forward
to
being
there
for
the
construction
of
the
Embrace
Center.
We
have
10
cameras
on
this
common
right
now
to
bring
this
live
coverage,
and
this
is
just
the
beginning.
So
in
honor
of
that,
please
join
me
right
now
in
applauding
this
worthy
partnership.
E
As
a
woman
who
was
once
a
little
girl
raised
in
the
Columbia
Point
housing
project
in
Dorchester
just
miles
from
this
story
common
but
as
a
kid
often
felt
like
it
was
just
a
world
away,
we're
on
school
field,
trips
from
the
inner
city
here
or
Easter
family
visits
down
here
to
take
special
pictures
because
we
knew
this
was
a
perfect
place
to
be.
We
looked
for
ourselves,
but
we
did
not
always
see
ourselves,
though
we
love
the
comments
so
much
so
I
am
absolutely
humbled
and
emotional
to
stand
here
on
this
stage.
E
So
for
all
of
you
watching
at
home,
who
are
moved
by
this
magical
moment
for
you
and
the
audience
right
now
who
are
moved
by
this
moment:
the
federal
state,
local
dignitaries,
esteem,
clergy,
members,
Community
activists,
Embrace,
Founders,
supporters,
artists,
neighborhood
leaders
on
this
day
as
we
prepare
to
unveil
the
embrace,
you
should
be
proud
of
a
new
day
being
a
part
of
a
new
conversation,
a
new
face
for
the
city
of
Boston,
and
for
that
please
give
yourselves
a
round
of
applause
right
now.
Yes,
oh.
E
I
love
you
right
back
the
most
proper
way
to
kick
off
the
unveiling
is
by
acknowledging
the
land
the
monument
is
built
upon
for
that
acknowledgment.
We
have
an
elder
from
the
Massachusetts
tribe
at
Ponca
POG.
Please
join
me
in
giving
a
robust
Round
of
Applause
right
now
to
Elizabeth
Solomon.
Everyone.
F
F
Ten
thousand
years
ago,
Boston
Harbor
was
dry
land,
and
we
were
here
one
thousand
years
ago
what
what
much
of
what
is
now
known
as
Boston
was
not
land
but
in
water,
and
we
were
here
four
hundred
years
ago,
Colonists
came
to
occupy
Our
Land,
and
we
were
here
today.
Most
of
greater
Boston
is
a
major
urban
area
lived
in
with
others,
and
still
we
are
here.
F
F
We
see
ourselves
as
separate
from
instead
of
integrated
with
nature
and
as
a
result,
we
consistently
take
more
than
we
need
earlier.
I
asked
each
of
you
to
treat
our
lands
and
Waters
of
this
place
as
something
precious
now
I
go
further
and
ask
you
to
remember
one
of
King's
messages
and
to
take
it
with
you
from
this
day
that
we
are
inseparably
interconnected
with
everything
else
in
the
world.
F
F
E
The
Embrace
began
as
a
bold
labor
of
love
and
passion.
Let's
meet
two
vital
members
of
the
team
responsible
for
that
passion
and
that
love.
Please
show
me
right
now
welcoming
to
the
stage
2
gems
in
the
community
really
co-chairs
of
the
Embrace
Reverend
Liz
Walker,
who
I
admire
and
is
bow
to
as
the
original
Queen
of
Boston
television,
and
thank
you
so
much
for
being
my
inspiration
and
also
Reverend
Jeffrey
Brown
everybody.
Yes,.
G
Thank
you.
I
was
about
five
years
old
when
my
father
took
me
with
him
to
Arch
Street
Baptist
Church
in
my
hometown
of
Little
Rock
Arkansas,
to
hear
Dr
Martin
Luther
King
Jr.
It
was
probably
after
the
successful
Montgomery,
Bus
Boycott.
Of
course,
I
was
too
young
to
understand
anything.
All
I
knew
his
daddy
was
going
to
go
see
the
king
I
thought
that
was
Jesus,
so
I
better,
be
there.
G
But
I
will
never
forget
the
electricity
of
that
moment
when
ordinary
people
were
inspired
to
take
Extraordinary
Measures
in
the
Name
of
Love
love,
not
as
a
Sentimental
or
romance,
but
as
a
creative
weapon,
a
force
for
change.
It
was
that
love
that
moved
me
in
2017,
when
Paul
English
asked
me
to
join
him
in
heading
up
this
project
to
memorialize
Dr
and
Mrs
King's
impact
here
in
Boston.
G
The
first
thing
we
did
was
to
reach
out
to
people
in
neighborhoods
all
over
the
city
who
wanted
to
see
this
Memorial,
but
demanded
that
it
would
be
more
than
metal
and
Stone
who
demanded
that
the
same
Spirit
to
build
it
would
Inspire
thought
words
and
action
for
justice
and
working
together
with
others,
including
my
favorite
preacher
Pat.
Well,
one
of
my
favorite
preachers,
Pastor,
Jeff
Brown,
and
so
many
of
you.
This
has
been
an
extraordinary
Journey.
H
Good
afternoon,
everyone
oh
come
on.
Now
you
got
to
do
better
than
that
good
afternoon.
Everyone.
It
is
an
honor
for
me
to
work
with
my
friends,
Paul
and
Reverend
Liz
on
this
Monumental
project.
I
grew
up
reading,
just
about
everything
that
Dr
King
ever
ever
wrote
all
of
his
speeches.
I
followed
Mrs
King
as
she
forged
the
pathway
in
this
country
to
celebrate
her
husband
and
their
Collective
Mission
with
a
national
holiday
as
I
view,
This,
Magnificent,
sculpture,
I'm
reminded
of
Dr
King's
words.
G
Both
Dr
King
and
Coretta
Scott
King
were
a
strengthened
body
and
soul
in
prayer
part
of
their
unbroken
cultural
and
spiritual
bond
to
Traditions
that
stretch
back
long
before
slavery,
for
deliverance
Liberation
and
in
actualizing
their
vision
of
the
Beloved
Community
in
that
Spirit.
Many
friends
from
synagogues
around
the
city
have
marched
through
the
streets
today
to
join
us,
and
we
welcome
you
and
right
now
we
ask
that
all
clergy
would
stand
where
you
are
as
we
pray.
G
H
H
We
celebrate
this
daughter
and
son
of
America,
came
to
this
city
found
each
other
and
together
Changed
History,
and
as
we
celebrate
them,
we
remember
the
words
of
James
Weldon,
Johnson
God
of
our
weary
ears,
God
of
our
silent,
tears,
thou,
who
has
brought
us
thus
far
on
the
way
thou
who
has
by
thy
might
let
us
into
the
light,
keep
us
forever
in
the
path
we
pray
blessed.
Our
feet
stray
from
the
places
Our
God,
where
we
met
thee
lest
our
hearts,
drunk
with
the
wine
of
the
world.
H
G
B
D
I
D
I
want
to
start
by
thanking
all
the
workers,
the
servers,
the
production
crew,
the
welders,
the
laborers,
the
lighting
and
production
crew,
the
Embrace
Boston
team,
the
castle
team,
the
volunteers,
the
sponsors,
Latoya
Edwards
and
nbc10,
and
other
Media
Partners,
the
city
of
Boston,
our
mayor,
our
governors
for
your
countless
hours
and
making
this
weekend
a
huge
success.
I
want
to
thank
my
family,
my
wife,
my
children
and
all
of
you,
my
friends,
old
and
new.
J
D
Journey
to
get
here
today
has
been
an
adventure.
I
won't
soon
forget.
I
am
deeply
humbled
by
your
faith
in
me
and
your
trust
in
Embrace
Boston,
as
we
work
to
be
here
today.
I
want
to
thank
everyone
who
walked
this
journey
with
us.
Thank
you
to
everyone
who
advocated
on
our
behalf
for
standing
side
by
side,
as
we
push
through
to
accomplish
This,
truly
Monumental
task.
D
D
D
D
Has
grown
into
the
first
Memorial
in
Boston
Common
in
decades
with
co-founders
Reverend,
Liz,
Walker,
Reverend,
Jeffrey,
Brown,
Demond
and
Dr
Kia
Martin,
the
clap
it
up
the
embrace
the
Embraces
poised
to
be
Boston's
Statue
of
Liberty
or,
if
you
like
home
decor,
is
one
of
those
live.
Love
laugh
signs,
whichever
whichever
one
y'all
like
today
is
not
the
end
of
the
road
for
embrace
Boston.
It's
just
the
beginning.
It's
the
start
of
a
New
Journey
as
we
ready
ourselves
for
the
creation
of
embrace
Center
in
Roxbury
I.
D
D
As
some
of
you
know,
we
are
part
of
the
hym,
my
city
of
Peace
team,
that
will
be
developing
P3
Roxbury.
We're
excited
to
bring
this
Innovative
Cultural
Center
to
the
heart
of
Boston.
The
Embrace
Center
will
be
a
31
000
square
foot,
New
Town
Square,
extending
Nubian
Square,
all
the
way
to
Ruggles
t-stock.
D
As
a
part
of
our
spatial
Justice
strategy,
we
believe
that
creating
new
spaces
is
what's
necessary
to
for
radically
inclusive
Boston
by
2030.,
I
hope
you're
ready
to
take
that
ride
with
us,
but
for
now
let's
enjoy
this
historic
moment.
Let's
celebrate
this
beautiful
work
of
art.
Let's
celebrate
the
enduring
impact
of
the
king
Legacy.
Let's
celebrate
the
Boston.
We
are
Becoming
together.
D
Okay,
y'all
can
clap
for
that.
That
was
my
moment.
That
was
my
line.
Congresswoman
Presley
I
didn't
deliver
it
right.
I
know
Wednesday's
attorney
Richard
Rollins
because
she
looks
at
me.
She
gives
me
a
look
like
imar.
You
didn't
deliver
that
right.
Where
are
you?
She
always
gives
me
that
look
like
you
didn't!
Do
that
writing
mark
I.
Do
better
I
now
have
the
opportunity
to
introduce
our
founder
Paul
English,
co-chair
of
embrace
Boston
and
Demond
Martin,
co-founder
and
CEO
of
wherewithal
and
co-founder
of
embrace
Boston.
D
K
K
And
when
I
learned
about
Martin
and
Coretta
Scott,
King's
deep
connection
to
the
city,
I
felt
this
is
a
part
of
Boston's
story.
We
must
tell
five
years
ago,
I
co-founded
King
Boston,
with
rev
and
Liz
Walker,
and
with
the
help
of
Mayor
Marty
Walsh,
we
didn't
try
to
impose
a
vision
what
this
Memorial
should
be.
K
We
went
to
Boston's
black
community
and
listened
the
community
told
us
this
has
to
be
more
than
a
memorial.
It
has
to
be
a
catalyst
for
Change
and
a
movement
for
justice
and
that's
what
Boston's
black
community
built
in
embraced,
Boston
the
work
of
art
Winfield
today
is
all
we
hope
for
and
more
the
Embrace
offers
a
symbol
of
love
to
inspire
us.
K
It
tells
us
let's
get
to
work
building
the
Beloved
Community
in
my
work,
going
forward,
I'll
strive
to
dismantle
wealth
and
equity
in
Boston
I'm,
going
to
continue
to
listen
and
learn
from
Boston's
black
community.
Today,
I
ask
Boston
to
Business
Leaders
to
join
me.
I
want
to
thank
every
single
person
who
gave
him
their
hearts
and
souls
on
this
journey.
It's
one
of
the
most
meaningful
things
I've
ever
done
and
today
we're
just
getting
started.
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
E
E
You
know
this
is
a
perfect
time
to
add
a
musical
performance
into
the
celebration
and
we
are
excited
to
bring
a
huge
talent
to
the
stage
performing
America
the
Beautiful,
and
we
all
have
heard
this
song
sung,
but
this
next
gentleman
can
sang
it.
Okay,
I
heard
him
practicing
and
he
brought
tears
to
my
eyes
singing
in
a
good
way,
all
right.
So
we
are
excited
to
present
to
you,
a
member
of
the
2022
Embrace
Boston
artist
in
Residence
class,
a
Roxbury
native
singer,
songwriter
amandi
being
accompanied
by
Sean
Alexander.
B
B
B
E
E
E
M
Here,
when
you
look
behind
the
stage,
you
can
see
some
of
our
Boston
residents
and
visitors
who
have
stopped
to
gather
and
are
just
outside
the
fence
on
the
other
side
who
have
come
out
and
are
standing
on
their
porches
on
this
building
right
behind
this
stage
and
Park.
This
Monument
is
for
you
too.
M
The
Embrace
is
for
all
of
us,
and
we
know
that
especially
our
residents
who
are
are
coming
out
on
their
their
balconies.
They
will
be
watching
over
this
for
us
24
7.,
and
so
thank
you.
So
much
to
leaders
from
every
level
of
government
and
community
I
stand
here,
deeply
humbled
and
honored
to
be
in
this
role.
Lucky
In,
This
Moment,
to
watch
this
incredible
transformation
happening,
so
I
want
to
start
first
and
recognize
that
I
stand
here.
M
M
The
Kings
understood
that
peace
and
shared
Prosperity
were
impossible
to
usher
in
alone.
That's
not
only
achieve
those
things,
but
to
achieve
them
lastingly
for
the
Next.
Generation
meant
building
a
society
in
which
peace
and
prosperity
can
flourish,
the
Beloved
Community
and
it
takes
it-
takes
many
hands
to
build
that
Community,
iqc
standing
audience
I
see
another
mayor
sitting
here
with
us.
I
didn't
see
before.
Thank
you
so
much
to
Mayor
Ray
Flynn,
who
is
here
as
well
today,
and
this
is
Flynn.
M
This
community
is
embedded
in
the
very
grounds
holding
up
the
memorial,
which
is
why
all
around
you'll
see
the
names
of
the
69
local
civil
rights
leaders
who
pushed
to
turn
our
city
as
Dr
King,
urged
in
his
speech
here
on
the
common
into
that
testing
ground.
For
the
ideal
of
freedom,
this
Memorial
honors
ministers
and
justices
artists
and
scientists
Educators
and
advocates
the
countless
outstretched
arms
and
Helping
Hands
who
welcomed
the
Kings
and
embraced
their
vision.
M
M
This
sculpture
is
not
only
a
tribute
to
the
philosophy
of
love
and
compassion
that
guided
all
the
work
the
Kings
did,
but
also
a
testament
to
its
urgency
and
a
reminder
of
our
responsibility
today
to
embrace
every
opportunity.
We
have
to
challenge
violence
with
non-violence,
ignorance
with
empathy
and
apathy
with
action.
M
It's
a
reminder
that
the
fight
for
Equity
is
never
easy
and
we
owe
it
to
each
other
and
the
work
to
hold
and
support
one
another
through
the
pain
of
Injustice
and
in
our
triumphs
against
it.
That
is
what
Miss,
Coretta
Scott
King
is
doing
in
the
Moment
Forever
captured
in
this
piece,
where
she
hugs
Dr
King,
but
even
more
so
holds
him
up,
as
he
takes
a
moment
of
relief
and
exhaustion
and
emotion
to
slump
into
her
arms.
M
M
That
mission
is
forever
immortalized
and
given
new
life
here
in
the
heart
of
downtown,
may
it
serve
as
a
reminder
for
all
of
us,
honoring,
the
king's
Legacy,
and
remembering
that
that
means
not
only
honoring
the
love,
tenderness
and
strength
that
guided
their
work,
but
cultivating
it
in
ourselves
to
carry
it
forward
in
action.
Thank
you.
So
much
for
being
here
today.
E
Very
much
mayor,
Michelle
Wu,
for
your
powerful
comments.
We
appreciate
them
deeply
on
this
day,
I've
been
waiting
all
day
all
week,
really
the
last
several
months
to
hear
and
to
meet
our
next
speakers.
I,
don't
know
about
you,
but
I
simply
can't
imagine
what
it's
like
to
carry
the
mantle
in
the
bloodline
of
Dr,
King
and
Mrs
King.
E
They
are
the
epitome
of
Grace
and
we
right
now
are
Beyond
fortunate
to
hear
from
Martin
Luther
King
III,
his
wife,
Andrea
Andrea
I
want
to
get
right,
did
I
say
it
right,
then
I
got
it
because
I
don't
play
yes,
Andrea
Waters
King
and
their
daughter
for
14
year
old,
Yolanda,
Renee
King.
Let's
give
them
a
loving
Boston.
Welcome
to
the
stage.
I
I
I
probably
want
to
thank
you
mostly
for
your
weather
today,
I'm,
not
a
cold
weather
person
and
I
started
this
morning
without
a
coat
but
I
had
to
graduate,
even
though
this
is
very
warm
for
you,
I'm
from
the
south,
we
are
from
the
south
I'm
seriousness.
This
is
such
an
amazing
and
wonderful
occasion
and
we
are
honored
to
participate
in
the
unveiling
of
the
Embrace
Boston
memorial.
I
I
I
Boston's
history
includes
the
legacy
of
some
of
the
great
leaders
of
the
movement
to
abolish
slavery,
William
Lord,
Garrison,
Phyllis,
weekly,
Wendell,
Phillips,
Prince,
Hall,
your
mouth
and
John
Quincy
Adams
are
all
all
called
Boston
home
at
some
point
in
their
lives.
In
more
modern
times.
This
Boston
has
been
the
city
that
nurtured
great
political
champions
of
civil
rights.
I
Bad
of
the
Abolitionist
Movement
and
its
unique
intellectual
and
educational
resources,
and
indeed
Boston
became
the
place
where
they
found
where
they
forged
a
partnership
that
would
change
America
and
make
a
powerful
contribution
to
the
black
Freedom
struggle.
That's
what
I
see
in
this
beautiful
Monument
and
now
a
few
words
from
My
Wife
and
partner,
Andrea
Waters
King.
N
N
N
Through
all
of
these
trying
and
difficult
days,
Coretta
remained
amazingly
calmed
and
even
tempered
in
the
midst
of
the
most
tragic
experiences
she
never
became
panicky
or
over
emotional.
She
was
always
strong
and
courageous.
She
seemed
to
have
no
fear
for
herself.
She
was
always
a
deep
consolation
to
me
and
supported
my
every
move.
N
Coretta
Scott
did
after
he
was
assassinated.
She
envisioned
raise
the
necessary
funds
and
built
an
international
Monument
to
Dr
King
that
has
become
a
place
of
pilgrimage
for
freedom-loving
people
the
world
over.
On
top
of
that,
she
led
a
coalition
that
created
the
Martin
Luther
King,
Jr
national
holiday.
N
O
I
love
this
Monument
I
also
see
the
love
and
strife
and
unity
in
these
hands
and
how
they
symbolize
a
beautiful
marriage
and
partnership,
and
it
was
one
that
changed.
The
world
never
met
my
grandparents
in
person
because
they
died
before
I
was
born
and
yet
I
feel
that
I
know
them
well.
I
have
heard
stories
about
them
since
I
was
a
baby.
I
have
studied
there
right,
I
just
wanted
to
say:
that's
your
grandparents,
yes,
I,
think
I
think
my
grandparents
are
really
excited.
O
O
O
O
E
O
I
just
really
see
that
there
needs
to
be
a
lot
of
change
in
this
world
and
I
think
it
is
all
our
responsibility
to
really
do
something,
and
so
I
feel
called
to
do
this
work.
And
yes,
there
are
days
when
I
want
to
give
up
the
days
where
I
just
never
want
to
do
this
work
again
and
days
where
I
feel
that
it's
tough
and
days
where
I'm
so
sad.
E
E
J
Good
afternoon,
everyone
good
afternoon
and
Yolanda
I
just
said
to
Latoya
how
do
I
follow
that
it
is
such
a
privilege
for
all
of
us
in
the
Commonwealth
of
Massachusetts,
to
be
graced
with
the
presence
of
the
king
family
this
afternoon
to
Martin
to
Andrea
to
Yolanda.
Thank
you
for
being
here
and
Luca
behind
that
tent
there's
a
hill
there
and
there's
a
building.
That's
got
a
gold
Dome
line.
J
I
want
you
to
know
that
your
father,
your
grandfather
spoke
there
on
April,
22nd,
1965
or
Unitarian
Universalist.
Minister
James
Reed
from
our
community
in
Boston,
was
killed
by
a
group
of
white
men
in
Selma
and
Dr
King
was
invited
to
address
your
testimony
to
our
legislature
here
and
Yolanda
I'm
reminded
of
your
grandfather's
words.
J
So,
on
those
days
that
you
are
weary,
you
all
of
us
are
Affirmed
by
the
words
of
Dr
King
and
again
we
just
thank
you
so
much
for
for
being
here
today.
I
want
to
I
want
to
begin
also
by
saying
how
wonderful
it
is
to
celebrate
along
my
partners
in
public
service,
mayor
Michelle,
Wu,
congresswoman,
Ayanna,
Presley,
Senator,
Markey
I,
know
we're
going
to
hear
from
former
Governor
Jamal
Patrick
there's
so
many
others.
J
He
said
that
the
greatness
of
a
community
is
most
accurately
measured
by
the
compassionate
actions
of
its
members.
That's
all
of
you!
That
is
all
of
us.
That
is
the
collective,
that
is
the
Beloved
Community,
the
Embrace
Memorial
after
six
years,
37
000
pounds
and
a
long
cross-country
journey
is
here
is
home
and
it
will
forever
serve
as
a
reminder
to
all
of
us
about
what
this
city
and
what
this
state
stands
for,
must
stand
for,
and
what
we're
capable
of,
not
to
mention
the
power
of
compassion
of
love
and
a
really
good
hug.
J
You
rightly
called
out,
sir,
the
disparities
that
persist
in
our
community
and
in
our
Commonwealth
disparities
only
exacerbated
by
this
pandemic,
but
with
these
disparities
as
challenging
as
they
are,
are
opportunities,
and
it
is
a
call
to
service
and
action
that
all
of
us
must
answer,
especially
here
in
Boston,
especially
here
in
Massachusetts.
Whereas
noted
it
is
here
where
the
king
spent
formative
years
together,
fell
in
love
and
forged
long-lasting
relationships
within
this
community.
J
It's
here
where
Dr
King
addressed
a
Massachusetts
legislature
and
stressed
our
shared
responsibility
in
giving
people
a
sense
of
belonging,
a
sense
of
some
buddiness.
He
called
it,
and
it's
here
we're
from
this
day
forward.
We
will
gaze
up
at
Interlocking
arms
and
see
it
as
a
call
to
action
for
a
more
equitable
Society,
because
our
greatest
strength
is
our
people.
Our
greatest
strength
is
in
one
another.
J
We
only
see
the
common
Humanity
among
all
of
us,
and
that
is
something
that
Dr
King
and
Coretta
Scott
King
lived.
Every
single
day
cannot
reach
our
potential
with
so
many
too
many
are
held
back
for
reaching
their
own.
That
is
why
Commonwealth
we
must
Center
equity
in
everything
that
we
do.
It's
everything
that
we
do.
J
It
is
always
be
looking
to
help
those
in
need,
just
as
they
did
to
see
the
person
right
in
front
of
them
and
I.
Think
that's
what
I'm
reminded
of
most
the
legacy
of
Dr
King
to
me,
not
only
about
pursuing
a
righteous
path
to
fight
in
dignity
and
Injustice.
Wherever
we
see
it
to
me,
it
is
about
something
more
than
that
it
is
about
seeing
it
is
about
seeing
and
recognizing
and
respecting
and
uplifting
the
dignity,
the
worth
of
every
single
human
being
in
our
midst.
J
E
Governor
Healy,
thank
you
for
your
passionate
call
to
action.
We
appreciate
it
to
ask
the
unveiling
of
the
Embrace
when
you
get
a
chance
to
explore
the
monument
there's,
a
spectacular
feature
that
you
will
really
enjoy.
It's
called
the
1965
Freedom
Plaza
and
right
now
we
have
a
distinct
pleasure
of
dedicating
it.
E
The
living
history,
Plaza
surrounding
the
Embrace
commemorates
Dr
King,
leading
tens
of
thousands
of
people
in
the
Civil
Rights
march,
from
Roxbury
to
the
Parkland
Bandstand
to
the
state
house
and
Dr
King's
address
of
the
Massachusetts
state
Senate
and,
as
you
see,
the
1965
Freedom
Plaza
is
just
going
to
be
a
gorgeous
tribute.
Wait
till
you
check
it
out.
Embrace
Boston
expresses
the
highest
gratitude
to
the
city
and
in
1965
process
election
committee
chaired
by
two
leaders
in
the
community,
and
we
should
shout
them
out:
teal
Jackson
and
Laverne
Chief
Frazier.
Everybody.
E
Boston
called
upon
the
community
members
of
this
city
who
contributed
to
Boston's
Civil
Rights
Movement,
he
featured
on
the
1965
Freedom
Plaza
of
the
Embrace
Memorial
and
alongside
the
embrace,
the
closet
provides
literally
for
you
a
living
space
for
conversation
around
racial
Justice
ideals
and
will
be
a
permanent
Monument
that
reflects
the
diverse
cultural
history
of
Boston.
Now,
here's
something
fun
and
I
know
they
didn't
put
up
a
QR
code,
but
I
don't
want
you
to
do
it
right
now.
E
If
you
can
after
today's
program,
please
visit
the
Embrace
website
and
embrace
Boston
website
where
you
can
download
an
app
that
will
literally
transform
you
the
next
time
you
go
and
visit
this
Monument,
it's
a
four-dimensional
experience.
It
will
have
video
for
you
on
your
phone.
It
will
have
audio,
you
can
live
and
read
the
history
and
be
a
part
of
it
and
really
immerse
yourself
again,
download
it
at
the
end
of
this
program.
E
E
So
right
now,
I'd
like
to
call
up
four
outstanding
teenage
Community
leaders
to
share
the
names
with
you
I
want
to
let
you
know
that
honorees
and
members
of
their
families
are
literally
sitting
under
this
tent
right
here
with
us
right
now,
and
so
we,
while
the
names
are
read
aloud
by
the
teenagers.
We
ask
that
you
hold
your
applause
until
the
end,
when
we
will
ask
everybody
who
can't
stand
and
Rising
their
seats
and
just
really
receive
the
acclays
that
they're
due
in
the
meantime.
E
Please
give
a
warm
welcome
to
my
team
co-host
as
they
join
me
on
the
stage
right
now,
give
it
up
for
Brianna
Catlin
from
Team
empowerment,
Gary
Mays,
the
social
justice
activist
who
works
with
Tina,
probably
Embrace,
Boston
Matt,
Smith
Stern,
a
leader
at
boss,
Latin
School
in
myasia,
so
take
another
star
at
consulate
school.
Look
at
these
young
leaders.
They
are
wonderful
in
every
way.
E
Q
P
P
E
E
What
is
the
job
all
right?
The
Embrace
is
nothing
like
you
have
ever
seen,
and
we
are
in
for
a
true
treat
right
now.
Hank
Willis
Thomas
is
a
conceptual
artist,
working
primarily
with
themes
related
to
perspective,
identity,
Community,
media
and
popular
culture.
His
work
has
been
exhibited
throughout
the
United
States
and
abroad,
also
in
numerous
public
elections,
to
name
a
few:
the
Museum
of
Modern
Art,
the
Guggenheim
Museum,
the
Whitney
Museum
of
American
Art
in
New
York
and
many
more.
E
He
is
a
co-founder
for
freedoms
in
artists-led
organization
that
models
and
increases
creative
Civic
engagement,
discourse
and
direct
action.
Now
he
lives
and
works
in
Brooklyn,
New
York,
with
his
wife
and
two
daughters,
and
we
are
so
happy
to
have
him
among
our
leaders
right
now.
Please
give
it
up
for
Hank,
Willis
Thomas,
so
much
love
right
now.
S
S
B
S
S
S
Literally,
there
was
a
global
pandemic
in
the
middle
of
us
trying
to
do
a
piece
called
the
Embrace
and
I
love.
The
fact
that
you
gave
it
a
much
better
name,
love,
360.,
I.
Think
that's
going
to
be
the
name
that
people
carry
with
his
work,
because
it
is
really
about
the
capacity
for
each
of
us
to
be
enveloped
and
loved
and
I
feel
enveloped
and
loved.
S
Every
time,
I
hear
the
names
and
see
the
faces
of
Dr,
Martin,
Luther,
King
and
Carter
Scott
King
and
all
the
people
who
loved
and
partnered
with
them
I
have
to
acknowledge
my
other
family
members
here,
and
you
know
who
you
are
stand
up
if
you
fit
well,
but
and
also
my
grandmother
who
would
say
this
is
the
day
the
Lord
has
made,
and
let
us
rejoice
and
be
glad
in
it.
There's
something
that
I
feel
like
is
so
important.
My
honestly
I
just
looked
at
my
mom
and
I.
S
S
S
You
talk
about
the
power
of
love
being
so
good
and
he
implored
us
to
meet
every
moment
with
the
abounding.
Oh
Lord,
where
I
lost
it
the
event
with
he
made
every
situation
of
life
with
an
abounding
love
and
my
cousin's
Uncle
Louis,
told
me
that
love
overrules
and
so
every
day
in
every
moment,
remember
that
we
can
love
even
when
we're
not
supposed
to
and
actually
we're
here
today,
because
people
who
were
designed
design.
S
Share
with
one
quote,
it's
so
important
me
to
share
all
of
these
creative
voices
that
are
that
were
with
me
on
this
journey,
especially
this
incredible
poet,
but
this
quote
from
Coretta
Scott
King,
who
talked
about
the
Beloved
Community,
and
we
hear
a
lot
about
it,
but
we
never
hear
it
described
in
this
way.
She
described
it.
The
Beloved
Community
is
not
a
Utopia.
It
is
a
realistic
vision
of
an
achievable
Society
one
in
which
problems
and
conflicts
exist,
but
are
resolved
peacefully
and
without
bitterness.
Can
we
do
that?
Y'all?
Thank
you.
T
T
It
is
very
hard
for
me,
as
a
daughter
of
Boston,
to
maintain
composure
and
not
fall
out.
This
is
such
a
beautiful
moment
for
me
as
a
person
as
a
human
being,
but
then
you
add
the
layers
in
the
intersectionality
of
my
blackness,
of
my
Womanhood
of
again
me
being
a
native
of
Boston
and
then
to
be
offered
the
opportunity,
as
an
architect
as
a
young
black
architect
educated
in
this
city,
to
participate
in
A
Moment
Like
This,
where
we
honor
the
black
experience,
black
Joy
black
love
and
the
oldest
Park
in
the
country.
T
And
I
would
be
remiss
but
I'm
not
stand
on
this
stage
and
forget
to
mention
my
mother,
who
has
led
a
beautiful
life
of
Legacy,
purpose
and
intention,
and
when
I
hear
the
granddaughter
of
Dr
Martin,
Luther,
King
and
Coretta
Scott
King
talk
about
this
work.
I
am
reminded
that
we
are
all
called
to
do
this
work
and
this
y'all.
This
is
on
purpose.
This
is
on
time
and
this
is
on
our
shoulders.
So
thank
you
all
so
much
foreign.
E
Applause
to
Hank,
Willis,
Thomas
and
the
whole
family.
Thank
you
for
your
inspirational
message.
You
are
outstanding.
Thank
you.
Is
everybody
in
the
audience
right
now,
here's
a
question
for
you
when
you
feel
like
you
need
some
inspiration
or
a
dose
of
positive
affirmation.
Do
you
ever
turn
to
music
I
know,
I
certainly
do
and
one
of
my
absolute
favorite
songs
when
I'm
in
a
little
mood
is
optimistic
by
Jimmy,
Jam,
Terry,
Lewis
and
Gary
Hines.
E
If
you
know
that
song,
you
know,
it
truly
could
be
the
soundtrack
for
the
importance
of
the
Embrace
unveiling
today
and
I
am
so
excited
for
you
to
share
that.
We
were
about
to
hear
our
powerful
rendition
of
optimistic
right
now,
led
by
director
James
Jimmy
hill
Hills.
It's
a
Bivins
guitarist
Tyrone
Chase.
They
are
coming
on
the
stage
right
now,
looking
fabulous
in
every
way
with
voices
of
angels
and
please
give
a
special
Round
of
Applause
for
voices
of
embrace.
E
B
A
A
B
A
B
A
B
B
B
B
B
E
Oh,
my
goodness,
wonderful
and
moving
thanks
again
to
the
voices
of
the
Embrace.
For
that
amazing
performance.
We
love
you
right
back.
Give
me
a
concert.
Ticket
I
can't
wait
to
go
my
goodness.
That
was
perfect
all
right!
Well,
the
physical
shape
of
the
embrace,
the
embodiment
of
the
love,
Martin
and
Coronas
shared
for
one
another
speaks
that
Bond
and
so
much
more.
Please
give
a
warm
welcome
and
rock
Applause
to
a
Federal
leader
who
just
rocking
it
out
just
now
too
optimistic
who
enjoys
this
who's
enjoyed
this
whole
program.
E
E
U
U
This
is
a
day
that
has
been
a
long
time
in
the
making,
what
only
made
possible
due
to
a
vision,
an
unrelenting
commitment
and
the
service
of
those
who
labored
for
many
years
to
make
it
so
I
know.
We've
been
naming
a
lot
of
names
today,
but
you'll
indulge
me
because
on
this
day
on
this
record
of
history,
there
will
be
no
Erasure
and
there'll
be
no
hidden
figures,
and
so
we
lift
up,
and
we
thank
Paul
English
and
Liz
Walker
and
Jeffrey
Brown
and
Marie
Saint
Fleur.
U
U
U
U
U
You
know
we
think
the
incredibly
talented
artists,
hey
Hank,
Willis
Thomas.
We
know
that
the
ancestors
were
storing
your
hands
and
this
vision
and
all
those
involved
in
ushering
in
a
New
Boston
tradition,
the
historic
unveiling
of
the
embrace,
creating
a
space
of
artistic
Testament
and
reverence
to
the
enduring
Legacy
of
the
Kings
and
a
reminder
of
their
Boston
origin
story.
U
U
U
Dr
King's
Vision
was
a
radical
one,
considered
bold
for
the
Times
full
inclusion,
Equity,
a
redistribution
of
wealth
and
resources
and
voting
rights
in
word
and
deed.
He
saw
to
affirm
that
black
lives
matter
and
in
the
face
of
press
indignity,
violence,
brutality
and
even
isolation
and
marginalization
because
of
his
radical
views.
U
Theirs
is
a
story
of
the
transformative
Power
of
Love
of
black
love,
Martin
and
Coretta.
Two
brilliant
conscious
Progressive
people
aligned
in
the
shared
purpose
of
Justice,
praying
together,
who
March
rallied
boycotted
sacrificed
with
intention
and
urgency
stoking
and
appealing
to
our
Collective
conscience,
beginning
in
Boston,
to
embrace
to
embrace
equality
over
racism,
to
embrace
peace,
over
militarism,
to
embrace
greed,
over
greed,
to
embrace
Unity,
over
division
to
embrace
racial
economic,
social
justice
over
oppression
to
embrace
love
over
hate
to
embrace
one
another.
U
Martin
loved,
correct
and
Coretta
loved
Martin,
their
Embrace
of
one
another
began
in
Boston.
Their
vision
for
a
more
just
World.
Their
blueprint
for
a
movement
was
formed
and
sharpened.
Right
here
before
Georgia,
there
was
Boston
before
Alabama
there
was
Boston,
but
for
New
York
there
was
Boston.
Before
Washington.
U
V
V
V
This
Monument
makes
me
wonder
just
what
the
Kings
would
make
of
the
false
choices.
So
many
of
our
leaders
offer
up
today
the
false
choice
between
economic
growth
and
economic
Justice,
freedom
and
health
between
sanctuary
and
a
secure
border
fatigue
between
respect
for
blue
lives
and
respect
for
black
lives.
V
V
They
were
surely
disappointed
and
frustrated
by
the
violent
resistance
of
some
and
the
indifference
of
a
whole
lot
of
others
by
the
slow
pace
to
change,
and
yet
they
never
mocked
American
ideals.
Instead,
they
lived
by
caring
about
the
left
out
and
left
back
hearing
the
unheard
seeing
the
Unseen
calling
out
the
inescapable
link
between
the
mighty
and
the
meek.