FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 21, 2014

CONTACT: Peter Van Delft
(617) 704-6682

SHERIFF TOMPKINS CELEBRATES BLACK LEADERSHIP IN MASSACHUSETTS AT “STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS” EVENT

Suffolk County Sheriff Steven W. Tompkins with Governor of Massachusetts Deval Patrick.

Suffolk County Sheriff Steven W. Tompkins recently took part in a celebration of Black leadership at Roxbury Community College’s Media Arts Center.

The event, entitled “Standing on the Shoulders of Giants: A Living History of Black Leadership in Massachusetts,” was sponsored by Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick’s Community Affairs Office in celebration of Black History Month.

The event included the presentation of the “Leadership Award” to the Honorable Mel King, performances from the Berklee College of Music’s Negro Spiritual Ensemble and Project HIP–HOP, and remarks made by Governor Patrick and Dr. Beverly Scott, General Manager and Chief Executive Officer of the MBTA.

Other attendees include City Councilors Ayanna Pressley and Tito Jackson; Secretary of Public Safety and Security Andrea Cabral; 2013 Mayoral Candidate Charlotte Golar–Richie, and dozens of community residents.

Speaking about the event, Sheriff Tompkins said, “I love seeing people come together to celebrate the things we’re doing right in our community. In the world of corrections, where I work, the focus is often times on what people are doing wrong, so it’s great to have events like these that celebrate progress while still acknowledging that the job isn’t yet completed. That affirmation of progression and unity is really important to the wellbeing of any community.”

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