Salute To Our 2019 Breakfast Honorees
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Business Phil Hillman Colette Phillips Communities Dr. Keith Motley Rev. Ellis Washington & First Lady Nathine Washington Government State Representative Nika Elugardo Ken Reeves Schools Evelyn D. Lee Dr. Ingrid Tucker Homes & Families Bertha Cunningham Revs. Robert & Sabrina Gray * * * |
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Phill Hillman is currently the owner/operator of PLH Enterprise which does Corporate Coaching. Prior to that, he worked for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as the Chief Administrative Officer of MassHousing, the state’s affordable housing bank and he also held the role of Director of the Massachusetts Department of Industrial Accidents. Phil had a long and varied career at the Polaroid Corporation where he served as Divisional Vice-President of Health, Safety, and Environmental Affairs. His board affiliations include Children Services of Roxbury, Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation and the Black Ministerial Alliance of Greater Boston.Phil and his wife, Barbara, are the proud parents of two adult sons, one adult daughter, and three grandsons.
He is a longtime member of St. Paul AME Church in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and has served in various leadership roles at the church.
He is a longtime member of St. Paul AME Church in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and has served in various leadership roles at the church.
Colette Phillips is President and CEO of Colette Phillips Communications, Inc. She is a values-based leader, trusted adviser and understands the importance of engaging and influencing key stakeholders. She has extensive experience in developing public relations branding and internal/external communications in areas of strategy, multicultural marketing and corporate citizenship. She is frequently consulted by corporations and non-profit organizations about how to articulate healthy, inclusive working environments for their employees and how to engage culturally diverse consumers.In 2008, she launched Boston’s premier inclusive business networking forum called Get Konnected!, which brings together professionals, business and civic leaders and entrepreneurs from all cultures and industries. Her mission is to enrich professional development and forge new inclusive business/social relationships, making Boston a more welcoming city. Get Konnected! is the creator of the historic GK100, Boston’s first comprehensive list of the 100 Most Influential People of Color. The Boston Globe cites the social impact venture as "changing the conversation on diversity” and Phillips as a “Social Connector.”
As an active civic leader, Colette currently serves on Board of Trustees for Eastern Bank, The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and the Massachusetts General Hospital President’s Council.
She has been named to Boston Magazine’s Power 2018: The 100 Most Influential People in Boston, the Boston Business Journal's 2016/2017 Power 50 and The Boston Globe’s A-List. Born in the Caribbean nation of Antigua, Phillips holds a Bachelor and Master of Science from Emerson College. She is the recipient of an honorary Doctor of Law from Mount Ida College.
J. Keith Motley served as chancellor of the University of Massachusetts Boston between 2007 and 2017. He is currently a faculty member in UMass Boston's College of Management. Previous to his appointment as chancellor, Motley served as vice president for business, marketing, and public affairs at the University of Massachusetts President’s Office, where he worked closely with President Jack M. Wilson, university leaders, and the Board of Trustees. Prior to joining the president’s office, he was the interim chancellor of the University of Massachusetts Boston, where he previously had served as vice chancellor for student affairs, following more than 30 years in higher education administration that included 10 years as dean of student services at Northeastern University.
Sharing his vast experience in educational leadership and administration, Motley is a past chair of the Newbury College Board of Trustees. He was appointed as the co-chair of Success Boston, a college-completion initiative founded by former Boston mayor Thomas Menino. On a national level, he is a past chair of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) and a mentor for its Millennium Leadership Initiative, a premier leadership development program that provides individuals from underrepresented populations in high-ranking positions in higher education the opportunity to gain a broader understanding of the higher education landscape, develop skills, and build the networks needed to advance to the presidency. He also serves on the boards of the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities (APLU), the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) and the American Council on Education (ACE). Chancellor Motley has served as a member of the ACE Commission on Effective Leadership as well as a past chair of APLU’s Commission on Access, Diversity and Excellence (CADE).
For the past five years Motley has been named to the Boston Business Journal's “Power 50” list of Boston-area influencers. In 2016, he was named to the “Get Konnected! 100” list of Boston's 100 Most Influential People of Color. The Boston Business Journal also selected Dr. Motley as a recipient of its 2014 Leaders in Diversity Awards, which honor companies and businesspeople for their leadership in promoting inclusiveness and economic opportunity. In 2012, he was chosen by The Boston Globe as one of a dozen local leaders who has promoted diversity for its “Diversity Boston” list.
Motley is also a member of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Incorporated and Sigma Pi Phi fraternity Beta Beta Boulé.
Motley holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Northeastern University and a doctor of philosophy from Boston College. He also holds an honorary degree awarded by Northeastern University. He is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh’s Upward Bound Program. He is married to Angela Motley and is the proud father of Keith Allyn, Kayla Iman, and Jordan Kiara.
Sharing his vast experience in educational leadership and administration, Motley is a past chair of the Newbury College Board of Trustees. He was appointed as the co-chair of Success Boston, a college-completion initiative founded by former Boston mayor Thomas Menino. On a national level, he is a past chair of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) and a mentor for its Millennium Leadership Initiative, a premier leadership development program that provides individuals from underrepresented populations in high-ranking positions in higher education the opportunity to gain a broader understanding of the higher education landscape, develop skills, and build the networks needed to advance to the presidency. He also serves on the boards of the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities (APLU), the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) and the American Council on Education (ACE). Chancellor Motley has served as a member of the ACE Commission on Effective Leadership as well as a past chair of APLU’s Commission on Access, Diversity and Excellence (CADE).
For the past five years Motley has been named to the Boston Business Journal's “Power 50” list of Boston-area influencers. In 2016, he was named to the “Get Konnected! 100” list of Boston's 100 Most Influential People of Color. The Boston Business Journal also selected Dr. Motley as a recipient of its 2014 Leaders in Diversity Awards, which honor companies and businesspeople for their leadership in promoting inclusiveness and economic opportunity. In 2012, he was chosen by The Boston Globe as one of a dozen local leaders who has promoted diversity for its “Diversity Boston” list.
Motley is also a member of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Incorporated and Sigma Pi Phi fraternity Beta Beta Boulé.
Motley holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Northeastern University and a doctor of philosophy from Boston College. He also holds an honorary degree awarded by Northeastern University. He is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh’s Upward Bound Program. He is married to Angela Motley and is the proud father of Keith Allyn, Kayla Iman, and Jordan Kiara.
Nathine Johnson Washington, a native of Gary, Indiana, is the wife of Rev. Ellis I. Washington and the mother of one daughter. Along with her husband, she has served congregations in Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts. As a woman of God, Mrs. Washington is committed to her family, church, and community and strives to provide leadership to the various ministries of the church. She is dedicated to kingdom building through encouraging, educating, and uplifting youth and women in their Christian walk.
Mrs. Washington has earned both undergraduate and graduate degrees in Business. She is also classically trained in music and loves to glorify God through song. She has earned numerous awards and acknowledgments for her volunteer work, to name a few: The Outstanding Young Americans, Junior Achievement, Boy and Girl Scouts of America, Domestic Violence Against Women, Pine Street Inn and others.
As in Philippians 1:6, she firmly believes that He that begin a work in you will carry it on to completion until the return of Christ.
Mrs. Washington has earned both undergraduate and graduate degrees in Business. She is also classically trained in music and loves to glorify God through song. She has earned numerous awards and acknowledgments for her volunteer work, to name a few: The Outstanding Young Americans, Junior Achievement, Boy and Girl Scouts of America, Domestic Violence Against Women, Pine Street Inn and others.
As in Philippians 1:6, she firmly believes that He that begin a work in you will carry it on to completion until the return of Christ.
Rev. Ellis I. Washington, a native of Detroit, Michigan, is now a servant of Cambridge, Massachusetts at St. Paul A.M.E. Church. He has been noted as a former Gospel Radio announcer and also formerly the host of the “Quiet Storm” on V-103 in Atlanta and “Sunday Morning Praise & Worship” on Magic 98.3 in Columbus, Georgia
He accepted his calling to the Christian Ministry while a sophomore in high school. After meeting the requirements of the Board of Examiners, ordained Elder at age nineteen in the Michigan Annual Conference of the Fourth Episcopal District.
While attending Morehouse College as a Broadcast Communication major, he began his formal career as a pastor in Georgia, also serving congregations in Pennsylvania and currently, St. Paul AME Church, Cambridge, MA. Rev. Washington is a graduate of Columbus State University with a B.S. degree in Criminal Justice, and Turner Seminary at the I.T.C., Atlanta, Georgia, with the M.Div. He is currently pursuing the DMin degree from Payne Seminary, Wilberforce, OH
Rev. Washington has served as President of Black Clergy of Philadelphia and Vicinity. He is a member of Alpha Phi Sigma, Who’s Who among American Colleges and Universities, and a recipient of the Isaac R. Clark preaching award from the I.T.C. He has completed the Foundations of Christian Leadership program at Duke Divinity School.
A noted community leader, radio personality, freelance commercial voice talent, and a servant of God he and Nathine have one daughter, Keturah NatEll.
He accepted his calling to the Christian Ministry while a sophomore in high school. After meeting the requirements of the Board of Examiners, ordained Elder at age nineteen in the Michigan Annual Conference of the Fourth Episcopal District.
While attending Morehouse College as a Broadcast Communication major, he began his formal career as a pastor in Georgia, also serving congregations in Pennsylvania and currently, St. Paul AME Church, Cambridge, MA. Rev. Washington is a graduate of Columbus State University with a B.S. degree in Criminal Justice, and Turner Seminary at the I.T.C., Atlanta, Georgia, with the M.Div. He is currently pursuing the DMin degree from Payne Seminary, Wilberforce, OH
Rev. Washington has served as President of Black Clergy of Philadelphia and Vicinity. He is a member of Alpha Phi Sigma, Who’s Who among American Colleges and Universities, and a recipient of the Isaac R. Clark preaching award from the I.T.C. He has completed the Foundations of Christian Leadership program at Duke Divinity School.
A noted community leader, radio personality, freelance commercial voice talent, and a servant of God he and Nathine have one daughter, Keturah NatEll.
Nika Elugardo won her election in November 2018 to become the Massachusetts State Representative to the 15th Suffolk/Norfolk District, including the neighborhoods of Brookline, Jamaica Plain, Mission Hill, and Roslindale. Nika has over 20 years of experience in community and economic development with public, private, and nonprofit leaders in communities of color, including serving as Jamaica Plain Liaison and Senior Policy Advisor to Massachusetts Senator Sonia Chang-Díaz. Her broad experience positions her to be a strong advocate for our District.
Nika’s professional career helping nonprofit and business leaders work together to break injustice and open doors to opportunity began at the National Consumer Law Center in Boston. She later became founding Director of MassSaves, an economic justice collaborative jointly sponsored by community organizations, financial institutions, and then-Treasurer Steve Grossman.
Most recently, Nika founded the research and consulting departments at the Emmanuel Gospel Center. These departments developed breakthrough models and fostered collaboration in education, youth development and violence prevention, gender justice, and anti-trafficking in Boston and beyond.
Nika earned her B.S. from MIT in Urban Planning, an MPP from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government with concentrations in political advocacy, leadership, and peace and security, and a J.D. from Boston University Law School with externships in tax law, human rights, and corporate social responsibility.
Nika’s work experience, training as a lawyer and policy leader, progressive values, and passion for our District positioned her to be a bold and effective leader on Beacon Hill.
Nika’s professional career helping nonprofit and business leaders work together to break injustice and open doors to opportunity began at the National Consumer Law Center in Boston. She later became founding Director of MassSaves, an economic justice collaborative jointly sponsored by community organizations, financial institutions, and then-Treasurer Steve Grossman.
Most recently, Nika founded the research and consulting departments at the Emmanuel Gospel Center. These departments developed breakthrough models and fostered collaboration in education, youth development and violence prevention, gender justice, and anti-trafficking in Boston and beyond.
Nika earned her B.S. from MIT in Urban Planning, an MPP from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government with concentrations in political advocacy, leadership, and peace and security, and a J.D. from Boston University Law School with externships in tax law, human rights, and corporate social responsibility.
Nika’s work experience, training as a lawyer and policy leader, progressive values, and passion for our District positioned her to be a bold and effective leader on Beacon Hill.
Ken Reeves is a Cantabridgian who served as a Cambridge City Councilor for 23 years. He served three terms as Mayor of Cambridge. He most recently served as a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Visiting Scholar in the Department of Urban Studies and Planning at MIT.
As Mayor of Cambridge, Ken served as the first African American Mayor in Massachusetts and as the nation’s first openly gay African American Mayor. His terms as Mayor and Vice Mayor ere characterized by their energy and innovation. Ken as an elected official founded the W.E.B. DuBois Academy for adolescent males of African Descent, the Cambridge Men of Color Health Task Force, the Cambridge Community Chorus, the Cambridge African American Heritage Trail, and the Cambridge Dance Complex.
For four years Ken served as the Chairperson of the Cambridge School Committee where he chaired the Task Force on the Potential of Students and the Commission on the High School of the 21st Century. Both of these efforts were lengthy research projects resulting in major recommendations for system change. Ken also led the Cambridge School Committee to mandate that all eighth graders study algebra.
Ken has endeavored to help Cambridge look forward with vision toward its future. He has initiated numerous commissions to study, fact-find, and make recommendations for the future progress of the city. They are: the Commission on Cambridge as a Destination (tourism); the Commission for the Enhancement of Central Square Now (resulting in millions of dollars in infrastructure improvements): the Cambridge Latino Commission; the Cambridge Haitian Commission; and the Cambridge Baby University (for parents of children 0-3).
Ken was educated at Harvard College and the University of Michigan Law School. His current and former organizational affiliations include:
• President, Cambridge Branch NAACP
• Museum of Afro-American History
• Cambridge Community Arts Center
• Margaret Fuller Neighborhood House
• W.E.B. DuBois Academy
• Cambridge Community Chorus
• Men of Color Against AIDS
• Cambridge Multi Cultural Arts Center
• Roxbury Children’s Services
• National Black College Alliance
• National Black and Gay Leadership Forum
• Center for Community Change (Washington D.C.)
• Massachusetts Halfway Houses, Inc.
As Mayor of Cambridge, Ken served as the first African American Mayor in Massachusetts and as the nation’s first openly gay African American Mayor. His terms as Mayor and Vice Mayor ere characterized by their energy and innovation. Ken as an elected official founded the W.E.B. DuBois Academy for adolescent males of African Descent, the Cambridge Men of Color Health Task Force, the Cambridge Community Chorus, the Cambridge African American Heritage Trail, and the Cambridge Dance Complex.
For four years Ken served as the Chairperson of the Cambridge School Committee where he chaired the Task Force on the Potential of Students and the Commission on the High School of the 21st Century. Both of these efforts were lengthy research projects resulting in major recommendations for system change. Ken also led the Cambridge School Committee to mandate that all eighth graders study algebra.
Ken has endeavored to help Cambridge look forward with vision toward its future. He has initiated numerous commissions to study, fact-find, and make recommendations for the future progress of the city. They are: the Commission on Cambridge as a Destination (tourism); the Commission for the Enhancement of Central Square Now (resulting in millions of dollars in infrastructure improvements): the Cambridge Latino Commission; the Cambridge Haitian Commission; and the Cambridge Baby University (for parents of children 0-3).
Ken was educated at Harvard College and the University of Michigan Law School. His current and former organizational affiliations include:
• President, Cambridge Branch NAACP
• Museum of Afro-American History
• Cambridge Community Arts Center
• Margaret Fuller Neighborhood House
• W.E.B. DuBois Academy
• Cambridge Community Chorus
• Men of Color Against AIDS
• Cambridge Multi Cultural Arts Center
• Roxbury Children’s Services
• National Black College Alliance
• National Black and Gay Leadership Forum
• Center for Community Change (Washington D.C.)
• Massachusetts Halfway Houses, Inc.
Evelyn D. Lee received a B.S. degree in Music from Alabama A&M University and the M.Ed. from Simmons College. She also studied at The Boston Conservatory of Music and the University of Massachusetts.
Ms. Lee has prepared children choruses for six performances for President Bill and Hillary Clinton, and President Barack and Michelle Obama at the White House. Additional performances include Yale University, Harvard University, Bill Gates Foundation, Spelman and Morehouse Colleges, Mayor Thomas Menino’s and Mayor Marty Walsh’s Inaugurals, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, the Boston Celtics, Disney World, Disneyland, and the Beijing Royal School in Beijing, China.
As a professional singer, Ms. Lee performed with various artists, including Patti LaBelle and Whoopi Goldberg. She also sang in the hit movie “Blown Away”, and was a featured soloist during the Holiday season for Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops Orchestra.
Ms. Lee is the recipient of many awards including Teacher of the Year, Women Amongst Us, Living Legend, Champions for Children, Dr. Ozzie Edwards Excellence in Education, Senior Mentor Extraordinaire Award, and the Urban League Education Award.
Celebrating 35 years as an educator, Ms. Lee has served as an Assistant Headmaster and the Head of School at Boston's Renaissance Charter Public School. Presently she is Director of Visual & Performing Arts, The Voices of Renaissance, Young Kings & First Ladies Mentoring Program, Dr. Roger F. Harris Oratorical Society, and Professor Charles J. Ogletree Center for Debate and Discourse. Ms. Lee is also the Director of Music at New Life Temple in Brockton, Massachusetts.
Ms. Lee has prepared children choruses for six performances for President Bill and Hillary Clinton, and President Barack and Michelle Obama at the White House. Additional performances include Yale University, Harvard University, Bill Gates Foundation, Spelman and Morehouse Colleges, Mayor Thomas Menino’s and Mayor Marty Walsh’s Inaugurals, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, the Boston Celtics, Disney World, Disneyland, and the Beijing Royal School in Beijing, China.
As a professional singer, Ms. Lee performed with various artists, including Patti LaBelle and Whoopi Goldberg. She also sang in the hit movie “Blown Away”, and was a featured soloist during the Holiday season for Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops Orchestra.
Ms. Lee is the recipient of many awards including Teacher of the Year, Women Amongst Us, Living Legend, Champions for Children, Dr. Ozzie Edwards Excellence in Education, Senior Mentor Extraordinaire Award, and the Urban League Education Award.
Celebrating 35 years as an educator, Ms. Lee has served as an Assistant Headmaster and the Head of School at Boston's Renaissance Charter Public School. Presently she is Director of Visual & Performing Arts, The Voices of Renaissance, Young Kings & First Ladies Mentoring Program, Dr. Roger F. Harris Oratorical Society, and Professor Charles J. Ogletree Center for Debate and Discourse. Ms. Lee is also the Director of Music at New Life Temple in Brockton, Massachusetts.
Dr. Ingrid Tucker is the Head of Cambridge Montessori School in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She began her tenure as Head of School at CMS on July 1, 2011. Dr. Tucker is a passionate educator who has an extensive history in education. Prior to joining the Cambridge Montessori community, Ingrid served as President of Mother Caroline Academy and Education Center (MCAEC) in Dorchester, Massachusetts. Mother Caroline is a tuition-free middle school for low-income girls in inner-city Boston and their families. She was the former Middle School Director and Assistant Head of School at Beaver Country Day School in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts for seven years. Prior to joining the Beaver Community, she was Director of Admissions at the Atrium School for two years.
Her experience in Independent Schools began in 1994 at The Cambridge School of Weston where she served as Dean of Multicultural Affairs, taught history and worked as an Admissions Associate. Ingrid spent six years training new teachers for the Association of Independent Schools of New England (AISNE) at the Beginning Teachers Institute in Little Compton, Rhode Island. She also trained public and private school teachers on Assessment, Classroom Management, and School Culture for the New England School Development Council (NESDEC). Dr. Tucker has worked with public schools in Boston, Easton, Belchertown and Westford, Massachusetts.
She has extensive governance experience. Dr. Tucker is a member of the Board of Trustees at the Cambridge School of Weston. She currently serves on the Association of Independent Schools Membership Team for Accreditation. Dr. Tucker is the Former Board Chair for Fellowship Christian Church in Boston, where she served as an ordained Pastor. Dr. Tucker is a former Board member for the Association of Independent School in New England where she served as Treasurer for three years. She is a former board member at Chapel Hill Chauncy Hall in Waltham, a former Advisory Committee Member for the Marynundo School in Rwanda and a former Board Member at Boston Evening and Day Academy where she chaired the Development Committee. BEDA (Boston Evening and Day Academy) is an alternative charter school in Boston for students who have not succeeded in traditional settings in the Boston Public School System. Dr. Tucker also served on the Board Member at Dedham Country Day School.
She is a die-hard New England sports fan. She enjoys traveling, writing and spending time with friends and family. She has a longtime commitment to service learning in socio-economically disadvantaged communities and is passionate about children and education. In October 2016, she and her husband Phillip started Awaken Christian Church in Dorchester. They are both committed to transforming the lives of others through their faith and service to the community.
Dr. Tucker earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Journalism from Ohio Wesleyan University. During her senior year in college, she was an exchange student at Spelman College. She received a Master of Public Administration from Clark Atlanta University and a Doctorate in Education from Boston College. She received a Montessori Administrator Credential from The Center for Montessori Training in New Rochelle. New York. She and her husband Phillip are the proud parents of four children, three daughters, and one son. They reside in Milton, Massachusetts.
Her experience in Independent Schools began in 1994 at The Cambridge School of Weston where she served as Dean of Multicultural Affairs, taught history and worked as an Admissions Associate. Ingrid spent six years training new teachers for the Association of Independent Schools of New England (AISNE) at the Beginning Teachers Institute in Little Compton, Rhode Island. She also trained public and private school teachers on Assessment, Classroom Management, and School Culture for the New England School Development Council (NESDEC). Dr. Tucker has worked with public schools in Boston, Easton, Belchertown and Westford, Massachusetts.
She has extensive governance experience. Dr. Tucker is a member of the Board of Trustees at the Cambridge School of Weston. She currently serves on the Association of Independent Schools Membership Team for Accreditation. Dr. Tucker is the Former Board Chair for Fellowship Christian Church in Boston, where she served as an ordained Pastor. Dr. Tucker is a former Board member for the Association of Independent School in New England where she served as Treasurer for three years. She is a former board member at Chapel Hill Chauncy Hall in Waltham, a former Advisory Committee Member for the Marynundo School in Rwanda and a former Board Member at Boston Evening and Day Academy where she chaired the Development Committee. BEDA (Boston Evening and Day Academy) is an alternative charter school in Boston for students who have not succeeded in traditional settings in the Boston Public School System. Dr. Tucker also served on the Board Member at Dedham Country Day School.
She is a die-hard New England sports fan. She enjoys traveling, writing and spending time with friends and family. She has a longtime commitment to service learning in socio-economically disadvantaged communities and is passionate about children and education. In October 2016, she and her husband Phillip started Awaken Christian Church in Dorchester. They are both committed to transforming the lives of others through their faith and service to the community.
Dr. Tucker earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Journalism from Ohio Wesleyan University. During her senior year in college, she was an exchange student at Spelman College. She received a Master of Public Administration from Clark Atlanta University and a Doctorate in Education from Boston College. She received a Montessori Administrator Credential from The Center for Montessori Training in New Rochelle. New York. She and her husband Phillip are the proud parents of four children, three daughters, and one son. They reside in Milton, Massachusetts.
Bertha Louise Cunningham was born and raised in Panola, Alabama, the oldest daughter of 16 children and raised by her grandmother, Lillie Quarles. After graduating from high school, she attended Sterling College in Sterling, Kansas, majoring in Liberal Arts. In 1969 Bertha moved to Boston and obtained a job as a Trouble & Emergency Supervisor at the Boston Edison Company, currently known as Eversource. She married Joseph Cunningham in 1973 and had two sons, Harshene and Jacobi. After working at Eversource for 21 years, Bertha made a career change and started working for the Massachusetts Department of Revenue as a Customer Service Rep and later a the Payroll Supervisor. In this position, she was required several times to take on some roles as the Payroll manager and enjoyed and excelled in it.
In June 2018, Bertha retired after 24 years of service. Now she enjoys spending time with her husband, shopping, and daily visits to the gym. She also enjoys her grandchildren, Tarene and Myles, and hosting Sunday dinners for her family.
Bertha is a longtime member of Bethel AME Church in Boston. She recently transitioned her leadership role as President of the Greeters to her daughter in law, Tara Cunningham.
In June 2018, Bertha retired after 24 years of service. Now she enjoys spending time with her husband, shopping, and daily visits to the gym. She also enjoys her grandchildren, Tarene and Myles, and hosting Sunday dinners for her family.
Bertha is a longtime member of Bethel AME Church in Boston. She recently transitioned her leadership role as President of the Greeters to her daughter in law, Tara Cunningham.
Rev. Sabrina Brown Gray, a native of Kansas City, Kansas, moved to the Boston area to attend and graduate from Brandeis University and Lesley College. Rev. Sabrina has done international travels and missionary work in Senegal and Tanzania. She is now retired after 33 years of teaching, yet still serves as an adjunct professor at Roxbury Community College, Eastern Nazarene, and Mass Bay Community College.
Rev. Sabrina co-founded Cornerstone Christian Preparatory School and served as principal. The school educated children kindergarten through grade 5. Rev. Sabrina has received the Rev. Ozzie L. Edwards Black Educators’ Award and Educator of the year award from The Boston & Vicinity of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’ Club, Inc. Her teaching has included urban, suburban, public and private schools in various parts of the country.
Rev. Sabrina was ordained an African Methodist Episcopal (AME) elder in 2008. She is a member of the Bethel AME ministerial staff where Ray and Gloria White-Hammond are her pastors. Her ministries have included: Sunday school teacher and superintendent, children’s church director and currently Prayer Ministry leader and coordinator of the Planning Ahead ministry. She is the proud wife of Pastor Bob Gray, the mother of 5 children, the stepmom of 3 children and the ecstatic grandmother of 8 almost 9 grandchildren.
Rev. Sabrina ran her first marathon at age 60, the Philadelphia marathon and continues to run in races in the area. She loves to read and will soon publish her first book, believing her greatest asset is her story. Her passion is praying and discipling others as they walk and grow in Christ.
Rev. Sabrina co-founded Cornerstone Christian Preparatory School and served as principal. The school educated children kindergarten through grade 5. Rev. Sabrina has received the Rev. Ozzie L. Edwards Black Educators’ Award and Educator of the year award from The Boston & Vicinity of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’ Club, Inc. Her teaching has included urban, suburban, public and private schools in various parts of the country.
Rev. Sabrina was ordained an African Methodist Episcopal (AME) elder in 2008. She is a member of the Bethel AME ministerial staff where Ray and Gloria White-Hammond are her pastors. Her ministries have included: Sunday school teacher and superintendent, children’s church director and currently Prayer Ministry leader and coordinator of the Planning Ahead ministry. She is the proud wife of Pastor Bob Gray, the mother of 5 children, the stepmom of 3 children and the ecstatic grandmother of 8 almost 9 grandchildren.
Rev. Sabrina ran her first marathon at age 60, the Philadelphia marathon and continues to run in races in the area. She loves to read and will soon publish her first book, believing her greatest asset is her story. Her passion is praying and discipling others as they walk and grow in Christ.
Rev. Robert Gray was born in Malden, Mass. and is a 1975 graduate of Northeastern University. He was chosen as a L.U.C.E. Fellow, receiving a three-year fellowship award to Harvard Divinity School in 1997. In January 2008, Rev. Gray earned a Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing degree from National University in San Diego, CA.
Rev. Gray is the assistant pastor at Bethel A.M.E. church in Boston, Mass. under chief pastor and shepherd the Rev. Dr. Ray Hammond. After 27 years, he retired in November 2004 from the Massachusetts Probation Service, serving as a probation officer in Dorchester District Court and the probation officer in charge of the Brookline District Court Juvenile Probation Department. He currently holds the position of chaplain for the NBA Boston Celtic’s basketball team (2000 until the present), and is the retired assistant chaplain for the Boston Red Sox Major League baseball team (from 1996 until 2007), and retired assistant chaplain for the New England Patriots football team in the National Football League (from 1996 until 2006). Rev. Gray was with the Red Sox, Patriots, and the Celtics each time they won a championship in the 2000 through 2010 decade. This is his 40th season as a professional sports chaplain. Rev.Gray was a widower and married the lovely and talented Rev. Sabrina B. Gray in 2001.
He is the published author of the young adult novel, The Wings of Courage, has a published short story, Milk of Human Kindness, in the Anthology Journal, EDNA, as well as several other fiction short stories and articles. Rev. Gray’s NBA Boston Celtic’s Chaplaincy was featured on the front page and full third-page coverage of the Boston Herald daily newspaper and online website on Tuesday, May 15, 2018.
Rev. Gray is the founder of FUTURE YOU WANT NOW, specializing in life strategy and motivational speaking workshops and life coaching (futureyouwantnow.com). Through counseling at the church, the courthouse, and pro sports, Rev. Gray has helped to provide guidance and direction for thousands of lives. He fully understands that each person’s life situation is different and that every person could use some coaching, motivational encouragement, and an unbiased eye to help see the path that they are traveling and the roads of possibilities.