The Colleges of the Fenway annual Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast was first held in 1999, hosted by representatives from Wheelock College and Wentworth Institute of Technology. The original event was envisioned to develop a program that would bring together members of the two institutions to celebrate and honor Dr. King. The event, reaching its 27th anniversary in 2025, now includes all five colleges and institutions in the COF consortium; Emmanuel College, Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Simmons University, Wentworth Institute of Technology. The breakfast draws faculty and staff together to reflect on Dr. King’s legacy and our communities’ role in creating a more just world. The event includes musical performances, introductions from COF community members, the awarding of an inclusive excellence award, as well as a keynote address.

The 2025 event is hosted by Emmanuel College. Our 2025 Keynote Speaker is Dr. Michael Curry, Esq. Dr. Curry is President and CEO of the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers and is the Immediate Past President of the Boston Branch of the NAACP (2011-2016). He was named: one of the Boston Business Journal’s Power 50 Movement Makers of 2024, 2023 and 2022; one of Boston’s Most Influential Men of Color by GetKonnected!; one of Boston Magazine’s 150 Most Influential Bostonians in 2024 and 2023; and a Bostonian of the Year in 2021 (along with his member health centers) by The Boston Globe and Boston Magazine. He brings over 35 years of experience and results in civil rights advocacy, health reform and health equity. He is a current, nationally elected (4-term) member of the National NAACP’s Board of Directors (2014-present). Read Dr. Curry's full bio here.

Registration & Event Logistics:

Attendees may register for an in-person ticket, or virtual attendance via zoom. The zoom link will be provided to virtual attendees the day before the event. Directions to on-site location will be provided to in-person attendees the day before the event. Doors open at 8:00am. For this year's event we are thrilled to be joined by a local gospel music group who will perform beginning at 8:30am when the event doors are opened for attendees. Please plan to arrive at 8:30am!

Event Schedule:

8:00 am Doors Open
8:30 am Gospel Group Performance
9:00 am Programming Begins
10:30 am Event Concludes

27th Annual COF MLK Breakfast