In a significant stride towards independence, Embrace Boston, the organization responsible for "The Embrace" statue on Boston Common, is branching out as a self-sustained nonprofit. A year after the unveiling of the 20-ton bronze memorial honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, Embrace Boston is setting the stage for its future. According to NBC Boston, this transition was sparked by the momentum following the statue's reveal, which symbolizes the Kings' enduring commitment to equality and love.
Imari Paris Jeffries, President and CEO of Embrace Boston, commented on the necessity for the organization's evolution, stating, "I think the effects of the pandemic, the murder of George Floyd, the racial reckoning immediately following that, the difficult conversations the country and out city was having around monuments and memorials really demanded we exist beyond the unveiling of the monument to engaging in arts and culture in racial equity," as obtained by NBC Boston.
Since its inception in 2017, originally known as King Boston, the organization has actively contributed to the community through conferences, galas, research, and advocacy. Though Embrace Boston will now handle its fundraising and other responsibilities independently, it continues to maintain a close relationship with The Boston Foundation, its former parent organization. The nonprofit is also looking to establish a National Embrace Center in Roxbury to serve as a cultural beacon for Boston's Black community, as reported by NBC Boston.
The ethos of Embrace Boston has led to honoring local civil rights leaders who have striven to create a more equitable city. Among the 2024 Embrace Honorees announced by the organization are L. Duane Jackson, a former architect who currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Massachusetts Port Authority, and Deborah Jackson, a distinguished leader with roles that include former president of Cambridge College and CEO of the American Red Cross of Eastern Massachusetts. Their contributions to the city's growth and equity were highlighted during the honor announcement, according to details shared by WGBH.
