21st Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Service

For twenty-one years the beloved tradition has attracted guests from Greater Boston and beyond to speak about diversity, inclusion, and community.

This year’s program featured ministry from Rev. Rahsaan Hall, Esq., Director of the Racial Justice Program for the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts, music by soloist Paul White, and honored distinguished alumnus Alberto Vasallo, III ’85, President and CEO of El Mundo Newspaper, television producer and host.

Ruth Evee, Director of Equity and Inclusion at BC High, hoped the service “affirmed the intersection of Dr. King’s vision and Jesuit education. The day was a true group effort, with many students, parents, faculty and staff members from our Diversity Cabinet, Black and Latino Student Union (BLSU), and Cultural Alliance Supporting All (CASA) groups involved in hosting the celebration.”

As a legal expert and ordained reverend in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Rev. Hall is uniquely equipped to preach about a key tenant of Jesuit education – the intersection of faith and social justice. His current work with the ACLU advocating for historically disenfranchised communities is anchored in several years of public service with the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Economic Justice and the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, where he served as Assistant District Attorney.

Alberto Vasallo is a treasured figure in New England’s Latino community. His success as a business owner and broadcaster is rooted in Jesuit education at BC High and Boston College. While growing the El Mundo newspaper for the past 25 years Vasallo has remained committed to positive social change by sponsoring annual events such as the Hispanic Heritage Breakfast and El Mundo Latino Career Expo. El Mundo has also partnered with the Boston Red Sox to host the Latino Family Festival and Latino Youth Recognition days at Fenway Park each year.

Describing the guests for this service, Ruth Evee went on to say, “Mr. Vasallo is an alumnus who represents the very best of what our students strive to become, and Rev. Hall is a minister from another faith who shares our belief in compassionate justice. Together they serve as fantastic role models for our young men.”

BC High was also honored to welcome long-time faculty member Mrs. Barbara O’Brien Miller back to campus. President Regan awarded Mrs. O’Brien Miller with an eagle in recognition of her decades of service and pioneering vision of a BC High community that is more just, equitable, and loving. Her commitment to social justice inspired generations of BC High students.