EDITION
13 January 1st January 31st
2009
IN A CITY RICH IN SHADES, HERE IS A COLOR THAT INCLUDES ALL...
CHINESE NEW YEAR
SPECTACULAR:
ONE CELEBRATION, 5,000 YEARS OF TRADITION
SOMWBA: Bringing Equal Opportunity to Businesses TEACHING PHILANTHROPY THE POWER OF DETERMINATION
COMMONWEALTH
WEATHERING THE FINANCIAL STORM
COMPACT:
A NEW CHAPTER IN BOSTON’S HISTORY
STEPHANIE
LOVELL
Vice President & General Counsel Boston Medical Center
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CONGRATULATES THE WINNERS OF
l The First Annual l
ALL-INCLUSIVE AWARDS Held on THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2008 at the THE WESTIN BOSTON WATERFRONT
Leadership Award Recipients
Change Agent Award Recipients
Cleve L. Killingsworth
Milagros Abreu,
Dave Johnson
MD, MPH
president and ceo of blue cross blue shield of massachussetts
dana farber cancer institute
Supplier Diversity Award Recipients Assistant Vice President of Global Resourcing at John Hancock
Founder of the Latino Health Insurance Projec at bu School of Public Health.
blue cross blue shield of massachusetts
comcast
We want to thank the first sponsors of Color Magazine
Tremont Credit Union, BNY Mellon, Boston Medical Center and Massachusetts General Hospital Sponsored by:
delaCruz Communications delaCruz Communications delaCruz Communications N
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contents
Page
5
Business
Give Back, Get Back Page
6
Benchmarks
Commonwealth Compact: A New Chapter in Boston’s History Page
8
Dialogues
The Power of Determination Page
9
Business
Weathering the Financial Storm Page
10
Benchmarks
SOMWBA: Bringing Equal Opportunity to Businesses Page
15
Benchmarks
Teaching Philanthropy
January 1st – January 31st 2009 Page
17
Entertainment
Chinese New Year Spectacular: One Celebration, 5,000 Years of Tradition
12
Feature
Stephanie Lovell
BMC Vice President & General Counsel
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Welcome
Dear friends,
W
hat a wonderful year it has been for COLOR Magazine. Not only are we happy to be celebrating a year of featuring outstanding professionals of color who are changing our community, we are proud to present them in our redesigned, full-color, glossy format. We were also pleased that the first annual All-Inclusive Awards was a huge success! We had more than 400 people in attendance celebrating award recipients in the categories of Leadership, Supplier Diversity and Change Agent. Congratulations to all the winners! Our first featured professional of the new year is Stephanie Lovell, vice president and general counsel at Boston Medical Center, who tells us how preparation and integrity can lead to great success. Also in this issue, our writers examine the past and look ahead to the future of diversity across the state, inspire us with incredible stories of determination and show us how to pass on the value of giving. Enjoy and have a great 2009! Josefina
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS In a city rich in shades here is a color that includes all… Color Magazine is the premier all-inclusive monthly magazine that highlights and promotes professionals of color.
Beverly Edgehill is the President and CEO of The Partnership, Inc., the premier talent management service for professionals of color in the region. Previously, Beverly was the Vice President Organizational Effectiveness, at Fidelity Investments in Boston and is a sought after speaker for several national conferences on women and leadership.
Ada Gonzalez is a Jungian Analyst in training at the C.G. Jung Institute. The focus of her work is on cross-cultural issues and psychological trauma for individuals, couples and families. She has a private practice in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Juan Carlos Morales is Senior Vice President and CFO of BNY Mellon Wealth Management, one of the top ten wealth managers in the United States. With $170 Billion in client assets and over $1 billion in revenues, Juan Carlos oversees all elements of financial management, strategic planning, resource allocation, accounting and internal control.
Eduardo Tobon serves as Director of Sovereign Bank’s International Cash Management and Strategic Alliances. As a Senior Vice President, he currently oversees some large and complex businesses as well as some startups for Sovereign including Health Savings Accounts.
Christopher Sabatini is a New York-based publishing and graphic design consultant who helped launch and redesign several newspapers and magazines including; amNewYork, DRUMHEAD Magazine and BostonNOW. He is currently working as the design director at amNewYork as well as numerous freelance design projects.
4 Copley Place | Suite 120 Boston, MA 02116 (617) 266.6961
sales@colormagazineusa.com
Editor In Chief/Managing Director Josefina Bonilla-Ruiz josefina@colormagazineusa.com
Associate Editor Michael Chin
michael@colormagazineusa.com
Director Of Marketing And Sales Lisette Garcia
lisette@colormagazineusa.com
Creative Director Marcos Toledo
marcos@colormagazineboston.com
Advisory Committee Ferdinand Alvaro, Jr. Daren Bascome, Mark Conrad, Kim Dukes-Rivers, Beverly Edgehill, Yvonne Garcia, Digna Gerena, Kimberly Y. Jones, Juan Carlos Morales, Oswald Mondejar, William Moran, Russel Pergament, Carol Sanchez, John Sims, Eduardo Tobon, Leverett Wing Publisher Color Media Group, LLC
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Distribution GateHouse Media
1/13/09 9:15:31 AM
BUSINESS
limits may apply; it is always wise to consult with a tax advisor when evaluating the options One man’s trash… Times are tough right now, and giving away monetary resources may not be an option. Non-cash donations are a way to give without feeling the impact on your bank account. The added benefit here? Property deductions are valued at the current fair market value of said property. This means anything that may have appreciated from when it was purchased has now secured you a greater deduction. Just be sure goods are in “good condition or better,” and always get a receipt when they’re valued over $250.
Give Back, Get Back By Juan Carlos Morales
It might sound crazy that, given the state of the economy, I’d be promoting philanthropy. After all, charity begins at the home, doesn’t it? But that’s exactly what I’m about to do. What’s good for the goose... Truth is, giving has multiple benefits – not only does it promote altruism, but the available tax benefits generate built-in discounts, so your donation costs you less than what you actually give. If you make a $100 donation and your tax rate is 25 percent, your donation is really only costing you $75. The higher your tax bracket, the bigger the discount. That sheds a little light on the Gates/ Buffett charity competitions, doesn’t it? Also, there’s no delay. The deduction is taken in the year payment was made, even if it was made on a credit card whose balance was not paid off until the next year. There are almost no limits on how much the average person can donate and deduct. If made to public charities, contributions (combined cash and non-cash) as high as 50 percent of your adjusted gross income qualify for deduction. Depending on the charity and type of donation, 20 percent and 30 percent
Opportunity knocks. The contribution possibilities are endless. Religious, educational and medical research organizations, hospitals, and government units are all examples of institutions that could qualify for a charitable contribution deduction. Donations to individuals in need are not deductible – which will disappoint clever children out there hoping to use that excuse to get a little extra cash from mom and dad – but lesser known deductions, like mileage to and from volunteer activities, are.
Investing in a better tomorrow. BNY Mellon Wealth Management is proud to support the community and those who strive to make it a better place, now and in the future.
Investment Management Wealth & Estate Planning Private Banking Family Office Services bnymellonwealthmanagement.com ©2008 The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation.
My mother once said: Give until it hurts. Giving feels good, and in times when things seem so bad, it’s important to remember that there are others out there in the same, or worse, situation. Philanthropic endeavors serve two purposes: not only do we give, but we can receive, unselfishly. BNY Mellon is a premier provider of asset management strategies to individuals (Dreyfus), high net worth investors (BNY Mellon Wealth Management) and corporations (BNY Mellon Asset Management). For more information, visit our website at www.bnymellon.com or e-mail me at juan.c.morales@bnymellon.com.
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benchmarks
Commonwealth Compact: Writing the Next Chapter in Boston’s History By Michael Chin
B
Governor Deval Patrick Speaks at the Commonwealth Compact Launch
Credit: Harry Brett
cause we know that the best way to a prosperous community and future is through broad opportunity, equality and fair play,” Patrick said during the launch ceremony in May. The Compact will collect demographic data, provided by participating corporations, to help understand the challenges the city faces in terms of diversity. According to a 2007 study that surveyed 600 different boards across the state, 95 percent of members were white and 85 percent were male. “That really did provide some of the impetus,” said Robert Turner, director of the Commonwealth Compact. “Really, the spark came from Steve Crosby, Dean of the McCormack School, who came in wanting to do something about how unwelcoming the state is to minorities, economically and socially.” A different study, which also influenced the Compact, found that there is great variance across ethnic groups on how discrimination is perceived. For example, when asked if African Americans are a long way from having the same rights as whites, roughly 30 percent of whites said yes compared to 60 percent of Blacks and 50 percent of Latinos. “People of color were disproportionately sensing some sort of bias in their experiences here. It shows that people have a sense that something is kind of wrong or something could be better. When you add the numbers, it really makes it clear,” said Colleen Richards Powell, deputy director of the Commonwealth Compact.
Boston was once considered a haven for immigrants and people of color, and that tolerance spurred innovation and prosperity. By the 1970s, ‘Busing’ had ended Boston’s status as a hub of inclusion, and replaced it with a lingering stigma of xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx intolerance. In an effort to rebuild the reputation of the “We put forward efforts like Commonwealth city and the state, Gov. Deval Patrick, working Compact not because we are sentimental with the McCormack Graduate School of Policy about diversity, but because we know that Studies at the University of Massachusetts at Boston, launched the Commonwealth Compact, the best way to a prosperous community and a program that is measuring how far the area future is through broad opportunity, equality has come and how far it has to go. and fair play,” “We put forward efforts like Commonwealth Compact not because we are sentimental about diversity, but be-
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Be exceptional in all you do.
From Left to Right: Robert Turner, Colleen Richards Powell, Steve Crosby
Credit: Rob O’Keefe
The plan that Crosby, Turner and others came up with was to measure the participating corporations through 25 “benchmarks” that give a detailed look into the make-up and practices of each organization. “Frankly we’ve been thrilled at the response. A number of organizations have signed on and put in the effort to get these materials together,” Turner said. Already, 110 companies have submitted reports. According to Powell, companies have a real interest in becoming more inclusive but many are struggling with ways to achieve this. “If you talk to any hiring manager, hiring talented people of color is hard because people of color don’t want to come to Boston. That’s a huge problem for business.” Organizations are also struggling to retain the diverse talent that they hire, partly because of Boston’s business environment. To address these problems, the Compact has created a “Diversity Clearinghouse” to help companies and talent connect. “The idea is that it is not just window dressing to make people feel good. It’s going to improve your bottom line and social cohesion,” Turner explained. As companies realize that diversity is essential to their success, they are also beginning to understand how much Boston’s reputation of intolerance is a competitive liability, something that the state can’t afford to ignore. “We in Massachusetts want this to be a place that is welcoming to everyone,” Powell said. “It’s important to create new stories, a new brand and a new history that celebrates the diversity and unique talents of all of its participants.”
You belong with the best. At Boston Medical Center (BMC), you can join a team of individuals who don’t simply strive for excellence — they set the standard for it. Boston Medical Center is unique in a city known for world-class healthcare. We offer the advanced care and progressive services you would expect from a 582-bed academic medical center, but what sets us apart is our powerful mission to provide Exceptional Care Without Exception to our patients. As the busiest safety-net hospital in New England, we take great pride in delivering high quality, compassionate care to an extraordinarily diverse patient population. If you share our philosophy of doing more for those in need, as well as an enthusiasm for creating change, find your place at BMC. Opportunities are available in the following areas now at Boston Medical Center: • Nursing • Professional • Allied Health
• Administrative • General
Visit our website to discover opportunities and enjoy an exceptional career at BMC – The Exceptional Choice: www.bmc.org/hr/taleo True diversity knows no exceptions: EOE.
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Dialogues important things in life – lessons learned through his childhood dreams and helping other people enable their dreams – but some of the words of wisdom that resonated with me were: “we cannot change the cards that we are dealt, just how to play the hand,” “never give up,” “get a feedback loop and listen to it,” “show gratitude; don’t complain, just work harder,” “find the best in everybody” and “be prepared, luck is truly where preparation meets opportunity.” Although Pausch died on July 25, 2008, his words and determination will always inspire.
Randy Pausch Gives His Final Lecture
Credit: Carnegie Mellon University
The Power of Determination By Eduardo Tobon
The Last Lecture
A
s some readers already know, a professor from Carnegie Mellon University by the name of Randy Pausch became famous for his final lecture. Pausch conceived the speech after he learned that his pancreatic cancer was terminal. The talk was modeled after the idea
of a hypothetical “final talk,” with a major theme of “what wisdom would you try to impart to the world if you knew it was your last chance?” The talk was later released as a book, “The Last Lecture,” which became a best-seller. I strongly recommend visiting www.randypausch.com; get ready to be truly inspired. He talks about the
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Learning from the unknown heroes that work among us Like Randy, many people depart this life early due to cancer or other causes. Unlike him, most of these people do not get a chance to share their story with millions of people. This year, I got the chance to learn immensely from a colleague. She is a cancer survivor, and around February, she received the bad news that she had it again. It was located in the stomach and the prognosis was not very encouraging. What would have been devastating for most people became a reason for her to keep going and get better. She underwent surgery and recuperated in record time. It has been less than one year, and people at work marvel at the pace of her recovery and her remarkable persistence. It has been labeled as a miracle, but I can also attest that she is truly a heroine. I always thought I was quite persistent and had a high level of determination, but I found out through my friend’s battle, that there are degrees of persistence and determination that I was not aware existed. Putting things in perspective In the challenging economic times that we are living in, it is always good to try to put things in perspective. Losing a job can be quite difficult and many people will continue to lose their jobs in the coming months as a result of the, now official, recession we are in. However, we must remain determined to do the best that we can to overcome our own challenges, and feel blessed by learning from others like Randy Pausch and my colleague that have led by example.
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Business
Weathering the Financial Storm
Celebrating what brings us together by respecting our differences.
By Edward J. Merritt
There is no better time than now the banking industry resulting in more to get to know your banker. During credit being available to consumers these turbulent financial times, there and businesses. This economic downturn, which has been a lot of confusion regarding began approximately 18 the regional, national and months ago, led to signifiglobal economic environcant increases in “forecloment. The average person sure” activity. Foreclosures has been bombarded with For over 75 years, Ocean Spray happen when a lender can terms like “bailout,” “credit Cranberries, Inc. has been the leader legally repossess a propmarkets,” “foreclosure” in creating nutritious juices and erty if the owner falls beand “delinquencies,” food products for the entire family. hind in making mortgage which can be confusing Most of our success is due to the payments. They have been and overwhelming. diversity among our 2,000 employees happening at an alarming To help simplify the worldwide. At Ocean Spray, we strive rate because people were complex and mixed mesEdward Merritt, to create an inclusive culture in which granted mortgages that, sages that consumers are President and CEO, Mt. individual perspectives are valued and differences leveraged for greater in hindsight, they could receiving, Mt. Washington Washington Bank opportunities in today’s multicultural not afford. Many houses Bank has been proactive society. in ensuring both the individual cus- and condominiums that are new to the tomer and the community as a whole market are being listed at foreclosure www.oceanspray.com are accurately informed. Over the past prices which is driving down home 60 days I have personally met with prices overall. All of these factors are more than 200 customers. We invited contributing to the problems we are OceanSpray #6186.indd 1 12/17/08 10:20:21 AM them into our branches to help them facing today. This has obviously been a turbulent make sense of the litany of complex economic issues. Customers had the time for banks and financial institutions opportunity to ask questions about our but it is very important to remember is bank or the state of the economy. The that the Massachusetts banking indusExplore your opportunities try is very healthy. Banks like ours have most common questions were: for a career with southeastern been working with borrowers who are xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Massachusetts and Cape xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx struggling to come up with payment Cod’s leading community bank. Our inclusion in the plans to help them keep their homes. “Boston Globe’s Top 100 If you are having a hard time making Companies in Massachusetts” mortgage payments, reach out to your speaks to our strength, stability and success. bank and come up with a solution together. We are seeking talented individuals to fill these key I cannot stress enough, your money positions: continues to be very safe in a bank. This • Commercial Lender is a good opportunity to, once again, • Credit Analyst talk with your bank to understand the • Business Development level of deposit insurance coverage xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Officer in effect. Your deposits are currently xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx For more information about federally insured by the FDIC up to In its simplest form, financial instiavailable career opportunities tutions made loans to borrowers who $250,000 per depositor, per bank. In or to apply online, visit ultimately weren’t in a position to pay addition, banks like Mt. Washington www.RocklandTrust.com. them back. Many banks did not aggres- Bank, carry excess deposit insurance, At Rockland Trust you’ll find sively participate in this type of lending meaning any deposit not insured by a respectful and inclusive due to more stringent lending practices the FDIC is insured, in our case, by the environment where everyone is given the chance to succeed. and prudent regulatory oversight, as Share Insurance Fund. I am proud to We are an Equal Opportunity compared to mortgage companies. A be part of a solid and stable industry Employer. $700 billion economic bailout pack- that operates in the Commonwealth of age is in place to inject capital into Massachusetts; no consumer has ever financial institutions and strengthen lost a penny in a Massachusetts Bank! SM
hat is really going W on out there? How did we get ourselves into this situation in the first place?
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DIALOGUES
The Caribbean Foundation: Neighbor Helping Neighbor By Katelyn Harding
Beulah Fagan Providence says she is the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream realized. “Everybody wants to come to America to get a better life. It makes me feel like I’ve fulfilled the dream of Martin Luther King. He wanted everyone to find their own little niche and in America, there’s more of a place to develop what we couldn’t before,” Providence, who received a scholarship in memory of King in 1968 to attend Northeastern University, said. “This is a blessed place and I’m thankful to be here.” Providence created the Caribbean Foundation of Boston in 1973 with five employees; today, they have about 98 employees. The Foundation eventually sparked
the creation of Urban Community Homemaker/Home Health Aide and Chore Services, which is responsible for giving care to hundreds of homebound, low-income, senior citizens in surrounding urban areas, while simultaneously giving jobs to inner-city residents. “Neighbor helping neighbor” is her motto, and Providence said she wanted to give care to the elderly in the inner city so they could remain in their homes, while giving Red Cross training to young women and men, who can use the Caribbean Foundation as a stepping stone in their health-aide careers. Providence, who is also the executive director of the non-profit Foundation, came to the United States from Dominica in 1960. She had very little formal education, but found employment as a housekeeper for a family in Brookline.
Caribbean Foundation Executive Director Beulah Providence
Eight years later, she left to study community organization and social institution at Northeastern University. “I went to school to better the community I lived in, and this area didn’t have this kind of service,” Providence said. “I
SOMWBA: Equal Opportunity for Businesses By Bessie King
T
here are many resources for business owners who are looking for advice, information or legal support. However, most of these services are not free or understand the needs of diverse entrepreneurs who often have difficulties gaining acceptance into the business world. To assist them, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts created the State Office of Minority and Women Business Assistance (SOMWBA). Established more than 30 years ago, the organization’s primary focus is to provide services to minority and women business enterprises, and certifying the businesses that match their criteria.
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The certification is a marketing tool used to enhance a firm’s ability to do business in public markets. Annually, the Commonwealth spends more than $4 billion doing business with firms. Of that amount, more than $240 million is targeted to SOMWBA certified minority and women businesses. SOMWBA also assists government agencies in meeting their affirmative purchasing and contracting goals
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by providing business development assistance to certified companies through information on procurement opportunities and business resources. Each year, they publish a directory of certified minority and women business enterprises and certified minority- and women-controlled, non-profit organizations, which available online. “Over the last year, we have increased the number of businesses that utilize the
agency services. We have also worked in collaboration with our sister agencies, like the Office of Small Business and Entrepreneurship and with countless individuals to expand their market share,” said Darrell LeMar, deputy director of communications for the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, which works with SOMWBA. Aside from helping businesses grow, the organization is important because it helps the Commonwealth achieve a competitive landscape and create economic diversity across the state, LeMar said. “The women and minority owned business market segment is one of the fastest growing market segments. Minority and women owned businesses continue to have a profound impact on the economy, both here in Massa-
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love people and I’m always helping. And by helping, I mean care for elderly and keeping local jobs for people.” Providence attributes one of her professors, Rosemary Whiting, with getting her interested in community organizing. “She believed in the philosophy that communities could or should design and organize their own neighborhood services,” Providence said. “Being a homemaker at the time, and working for a large suburban agency, I realized that those agencies only provided homemaker training geared towards the upper middle class and wealthy homes.” That realization, combined with the “untapped labor” of the inner city became Providence’s niche. It led to a successful marriage of home health aid and care that’s lasted 35 years. In honor of her idol and scholarship to Northeastern, the Caribbean Foundation hosts a Martin Luther King, Jr. “Testimonial of Appreciation Awards” banquet every year. Providence added that Presidentelect Barack Obama is upholding King’s dream, which she was a part of, “He is the one who had the dream, and Obama is the dream. I’m looking forward to seeing what’s going to happen.”
chusetts and nationally,” he added. “In Massachusetts these businesses provide approximately 40,000 jobs and generate $7.5 billion of revenue.” With the support it receives from the state, SOMWBA helps get businesses off the ground and continue to grow. This is one of the reasons why LeMar believes the organization is important, emphasizing that the American dream exists for all Americans, regardless of who they are and where they come from. They helps ensure that everyone has the resources at their disposal to fulfill that dream. To help improve their services, the organization is currently working on a re-branding and repositioning campaign in order to expand the level and caliber of business advisory services they offer. They are also working to promote the partnerships between the Commonwealth’s businesses and the state and federal government. These renovated programs will be unveiled in coming months. To learn more visit, www.somwba.state.ma.us.
AMMP Executive Board
The Association of Multicultural Members of Partners (AMMP) Developing Multicultural Leadership at the MGH The Association of Multicultural Members of Partners plays a pivotal role in supporting an organizational culture that embraces diversity and inclusion. AMMP is an employee resource group committed to the advancement, retention, recruitment, and development of multicultural professionals into leadership roles at the Massachusetts General Hospital. AMMP’s membership consists of diverse professionals from across the hospital. The group actively engages in personal development, provides members with an opportunity to broaden their professional and personal networks, and fosters camaraderie and an atmosphere of support. By building the skills of its members in ways that benefit the hospital, AMMP has become both a resource valued by MGH managers and a model for building employee resource groups across the country.
At the Massachusetts General Hospital, we offer our employees the best opportunities for dynamic and fulfilling careers by cultivating a diverse workplace committed to excellence.
Join us. Our opportunities include all aspects of patient care, research and hospital operations. To see a complete list of our current opportunities and to learn more about the full range of our employee benefits and resources, please visit our website.
www.mghcareers.org
MGH: Make Greatness Happen.
By embracing diverse skills, perspectives and ideas, we choose to lead: EOE.
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When Stephanie Lovell left her position as first assistant attorney general of Massachusetts, she became one of the most sought after professionals on the job market. Last March, Lovell joined Boston Medical Center (BMC) as vice president and general counsel, bringing a keen understanding of public service and corporate sensibility to the largest safety-net hospital in New England. Prior to joining the attorney general’s office, where she oversaw more than 400 lawyers and state personnel, she was executive director of the State Ethics Commission and worked at private law firms Fitch, Wiley, Richlin & Tourse and the former Hill & Barlow. She is a member of the Association Diversity Task Force, Boston Bar Association Council, Court Management Advisory Board and Joint Bar Committee for Judicial Appointments. In 2007, the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce honored her with the Pinnacle Award for Achievement in Government Management, for her outstanding public service.
COLOR Magazine: Tell me a little bit about growing up in New York. Stephanie Lovell: The most important thing about my growing up in New York is that I lived on a block with 28 boys and four girls. I think that was incredibly good training for me at every level and it sort of taught me how to hold my own. I grew up in a middle class neighborhood. I went to parochial schools, lutheran school from first through twelfth grade, which is probably one of the biggest things that shaped my life. CM: In what ways did your education prepare you? SL: I feel that every school prepared me for something different. I went to Hamilton College as an undergrad and as much as what I learned about any subject area – I was a philosophy major and I love philosophy – what I really learned how to do was interact with people of a different class than I was. It was a very, sort of, preppy liberal arts school, where kids had money and had gone to prep schools before they went to college. I learned how to interact with a broader spectrum of people. To me, that was the most important thing I learned from that experience. In law school, I learned that I wasn’t going to be the type of person who practiced law the same as anybody else. I was, in many ways, distant from my classmates. I didn’t have the same expectations about law school. I didn’t expect to come out of it making a lot of money. It was a place where I was going to march to my own drummer. That was a good experience for me, to solidify that part of my personality.
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CM: From Boston University Law School, you went on to? SL: A big firm called Hill and Barlow, which doesn’t exist any longer. It was a classic big firm, what we call a white shoe practice. I think it’s the only firm that had three governors in it, Governor Dukakis, Governer Weld and Governor Patrick. I had a classic big firm experience. CM: What does that mean, for those of us who aren’t attorneys? SL: It was a very corporate, pretty conservative experience. It was very hard work, long hours, a lot of billable hours, a lot of early responsibility and intense training. CM: Were you happy there? SL: No, I don’t think I was a firm person. I loved my colleagues, I thought they were very good people. But I didn’t think it was the right environment for me to practice law, mostly because it’s hard to feel like your part of anything bigger there. You work on matters. I like being in the middle of the thing. All of my government jobs, my job here, you’re sort of in the middle of it. It’s messier in the middle, but it’s a lot more fun.
CM: As first assistant attorney general, what was it like having the responsibility of more than 200 attorneys and 250 staff working underneath you? SL: First of all, it was a tremendous honor to be asked to do that job by the attorney general because it’s sort of like being the vice president, in the sense that if the attorney general couldn’t serve, it would be the first assistant’s job to serve in their place. It’s an incredible office. The people are so committed to their work and they are so smart, just an incredibly talented group of people. And you start feeling, when you are there, just so proud to be part of the office and you speak about being a part of the office differently than just “working some place.” It really becomes a part of you, like your family. Feeling like you were sort of the head of a big family was great. During the election year it was very intense. I didn’t sleep well. I was very conscience of pleasing the attorney general but also of the responsibility of the office. I literally went into training for a year before our election year. I worked out every single day, or very nearly. So I was in good physical shape to survive that year. The thing about working in a public office is that
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“It really is about listening to your inner voice and allowing yourself the freedom to be who you are.”
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Stephanie
Lovell BY JOSEFINA BONILLA-RUIZ & MICHAEL CHIN
Nancy Bonilla
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every single day you get a report card; it’s called the newspaper. And that is a tremendous amount of, a different kind of, performance pressure than any other experience you have. I felt that pressure for myself but also for him. CM: How do you live up to the expectations of all the people that worked for you? SL: I didn’t feel their expectations so much, but I felt as though I had a huge
responsibility to them. It is so easy in the attorney generals office to feel like you have to do the thing that is most popular. And that isn’t the thing you should be doing much of the time. That’s where the office has the greatest difficulty, when people swing back and forth between trying to do the most popular thing. And I felt a tremendous amount of responsibility to do the thing that we were all tasked with doing, to uphold and enforce the law. That is how I was judged by my colleagues and I hope I did well with that. I think that is the thing that is most important to them. CM: When people found out that you were out on the market there were probably 100 plus people wanting you to join their organizations. SL: That is probably an overstatement. I do feel like I had different kinds of opportunities. I was happy about that. That’s funny and amusing but probably an incorrect thought. CM: Tell me about your job at BMC. SL: My Job here is incredibly varied. I could be working on a financing transaction, maybe a dispute about an employment matter, dealing with the state to secure our funding for the year or interacting with young people who are being mentored through their experience at BMC. So it’s a whole bunch of different experiences. It’s a fast-paced, very varied and very challenging environment. CM: What made you decide on BMC? SL: Three things. I like being a part of
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something that is bigger than myself and I knew that would happen here. The mission was very important to me, the variety of work was very important to me and Elaine (Ullian, president of BMC) who was the X factor. I have tremendous respect for her and she really inspires me to work hard and I appreciate that. CM: Tell me a little bit about the State Ethics Committee.
time preparing for it. I almost always write out everything I am going to say, my objectives for that particular experience. Part of my preparation is to always imagine what the other person or group wants out of that meeting. I try to put myself in their space and try and figure out how I can meet the things they are trying to achieve, or if I can’t meet them, tell them why I can’t. So a lot of it is the mental and actual preparation.
CM: What other advice would you give young people? SL: One thing I tell young people is, ‘Don’t get too hung up on planning your life.’ Much of how I have succeeded in life is completely unplanned and completely fortuitous. So I try to get people not to focus on planning every aspect of their life. If you work very hard, if you show up, and if you try, some things actually do happen just from that alone.
SL: I think there that the challenge is the balance between having good ethics and recognizing that people have jobs that put them at the intersection between the public and the private world. It would be naïve to suggest that a legislator could do their job without some understanding of the industry around them. So figuring out where that line is and how not to cross that line is really important. The thing I learned most in that job was the consultative role. The agency gives a tremendous amount of advice to their employees and their lawyers. And also both as a general counsel and a board of directors to have that kind of relationship with the commission itself, which functions both like a set of judges and like a board of directors. CM: What qualities do you possess that have helped you succeed? SL: I think I prepare for things more than most people. If I am going to do a very simple thing or if I am going to a serious meeting, I’ll spend a lot of
CM: And for the established professional? SL: You probably already know what you like to do and don’t like to do, what you are good at and not so good at. And most people sort of stop listening to that inner voice because of what they think is expected of them by their family or friends. I try to get people to really think about this idea of inner voice. I like the jobs I do because I have a big personality, that sort of runs to something big and exciting and messy. Other people don’t have that personality, so for me to push someone in that direction could be a bad thing. It really is about listening to your inner voice and allowing yourself the freedom to be who you are. I think the struggles that I see professionals have are because they are not listening to who they really are. They are managers because they think it’s the next step, thought they don’t like to be responsible for other people. Well, how are you going to be a manager if you don’t like being responsible for other people? You have to remember who you are, and choose something that is consistent with the type of person you are.
www.colormagazineusa.com
12/29/08 5:33:13 PM
Benchmarks
Raising the Next Generation of Philanthropists By Michelle McKenzie
Philanthropists aren’t born. They’re created. According to a recent study by Bank of America, nearly all of the next generation of philanthropists, 95.9 percent, learn about philanthropy and the value of giving from their parents, with more than 60 percent of wealthy donors actively educating their children about charitable giving. by making a gift in a child’s name “What we find is that parents or by volunteering as a family, at are increasingly concerned a local food pantry, for instance. with teaching awareness about Staff at the organizations you’re financial decisions,” said Michele interested in can help determine Courton Brown, a senior vice if there are age-appropriate president and national practice opportunities for children and adviser for Bank of America’s schedule a time for volunteering. philanthropic management Courton Brown says that in her practice. “When it comes to phiexperience, children as young as lanthropy, our clients and others Michelle Courton kindergarten are able to underare imparting important values Brown stand the idea of helping others. to their children, including the understanding it is a global community they Among the lessons children learn through are growing up in. I think it’s just as impor- their involvement are how we are becoming tant to make the gift as it is to explain it. That a global community and how giving works across cultures. becomes the lesson.” A mother of two, she knows of what she One way she advises parents to introduce philanthropy to their children is with a speaks. In 2007, the Boston Boys and Girls Club conversation. If you sit down at the beginning of the year to allocate funds to support board members were encouraged to bring particular organizations or causes, do it as a their children to meet the club members. “It was a great way for children to come family. Discuss what each organization does and how it makes a difference in people’s together around their commonalities,” said Courton Brown, who serves on several nonlives. “Engage children in doing some of the profit boards, including the Boys and Girls prep work and research; using the computer, Clubs of Boston. “The idea was to bring our checking out a website can be fun for chil- kids together with the kids being supported dren,” said Courton Brown, who provides and let kids be kids.” She says this generation is very interested expert philanthropic advice to high networth clients, and strategic guidance for the in giving back, and children who are raised business group’s professional development, with philanthropic values, inspire their sales support and thought leadership initia- friends. It’s cool. “In middle schools and high schools you’re tives. “Families that have a family foundation might bring a child to a site visit when they’re seeing more community service clubs popping up,” she noted. “Philanthropy becomes considering making a donation.” Other ways to involve kids, experts say, are a culture.”
Philanthropy is a culture many people are interested in nurturing. The Bank of America study released in November found that “setting an example for children or other young people” is an important motivator for nearly half of all donors (45.6%), with more and more parents actually involving their young and adult-age children in decisions about grantmaking (40.8%) and the charitable organizations they choose to support (53.2%). Bank of America offers a formal, familyfocused philanthropy program called Raising Philanthropic Kids, an interactive workshop for adults seeking to inspire the next charitable generation. U.S. Trust (Bank of America’s Private Wealth Management division), together with the institution’s Philanthropic Management advisors, helps parents and grandparents explore their philanthropic passions, and provide the opportunity for them to participate in exercises that assist them in introducing philanthropy to the children in their lives. A less formal place to start is the Internet. One resource is www. learningtogive.org, a website that offers information and activities designed to teach young people about the power of giving. It also has lesson plans for teachers. Youthgrantmakers.org is the site of the Michigan Community Foundation Youth Project, and shares its experiences in youth philanthropy with information including lessons learned, best practices and sample documents.
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FOOD
Hamersley’s Bistro:
Bostonians love French offerings. Why is this? Is it memories of living abroad while studying and enjoying the attainable bohemian lifestyle of Paris? Or is it just the idea of food and company transporting an overworked urbanite temporarily into one’s version of an old world fantasy? This particular bistro has an open BY JOANNE M. CHOI kitchen, which I prefer. I like to see the efore the dining scene in Boston achieved its current status and several actual cooking and maneuvering in the local chefs became nationally known, there were Jasper White and Gordon kitchen; partly for the entertainment factor Hamersley. Like Jasper, Gordon is tall, has a presence and has been cooking and partly because transparency in food for years. Gordon presides over his kitchen wearing his white chefs uniform and preparation just feels right. After reading George Orwell’s Down and Out in Paris trademark baseball cap. Calm and focused, his aura says “veteran kitchen warrior.” and London, I eat at open-kitchen estabxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx lishments with a less suspicious mind; they xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx don’t have anything to hide, except some of Hamersley’s Bistro is located on the corner of Clarendon and Tremont the ingredients in secret sauces. The vegetarian and vegan options that came in the South End, very close to the Boston Center for the Arts. Walking in, there is a bar area and the main dining room is painted a cheerful out of the kitchen were a pleasant surprise. Afyellow and exudes an atmosphere of elegant dining while maintaining a ter mulling the four menu choices, we ordered cozy feel. The square tables are placed close together but not so close that the Indian Summer Vegetable Cassoulet with you can hear the conversation of every table around you. It was full by Red Beans and Toasted Corn Bread ($25) and the Mixed Autumn Greens Salad ($12). The dinnertime – a great sign in these times of economic uncertainty. I sat at the bar for an hour chatting and catching up while working up salad came with mildly flavored goat cheese an appetite for dinner. At the back of my mind, I thought about how much fashioned into a little round cake, it seemed like it was pan fried, and then laid on the top of the greens. The apple cider vinaigrette dressing was tangy and got my attention. The casAchieving Our Mission Through Our Employees soulet was inherently flavorful, a very hearty stew accented by square corn bread bites. The potatoes, beans and vegetables all worked together. To those dedicated carnivores out there, you wouldn’t feel like you were missing out Indian Summer Vegetable on something after Cassoulet with Red Beans ordering this entrée. and Toasted Corn Bread
Gordon’s Still Got It
B
‘’
Thank You Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is honored to receive Color Magazine’s inaugural All-Inclusive Award for Leadership. We recognize all of the outstanding people at DFCI who helped us earn this achievement and who continue to inspire us. Diversity is a part of what makes Dana-Farber special, not just for our staff, but especially for our patients. On their behalf we focus all our talents towards one mission...conquering cancer.
Dana-FarberCareers.com Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
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www.colormagazineusa.com
12/29/08 5:33:30 PM
ENTERTAINMENT
Bon Vivant’s
Wine of the Month Did you know that sparkling wine can only be called champagne if it is from Champagne, France? Sparkling wine from Italy is called Prosecco, from Spain it is called Cava and from other areas of the world, just plain sparkling wine. Our featured bottle is Marquis de la Tour NV (non vintage) sparkling wine from the Loire Valley in France. Rated with 85 points from Wine Enthusiast, this sparkling wine is a fantastic buy at only $11.99 from Bon Vivant Wine in Randolph, Mass. Sparkling wine can be served with all courses of a dinner party. Marquis de la Tour NV Brut is pale gold with fine bubbles, which is a characteristic of quality champagne. The wonderfully delicate and floral aroma of this wine is complimented by the crisp, clean and light taste of ripe melon flavors. The Marquis de la Tour NV Rose is bright, salmon pink, has fine bubbles and delicate, elegant notes of strawberry and raspberry aromas. The fresh red fruit flavors leave your mouth feeling just plain happy. Try these special sparkling wines with our many wonderful cuisines of ‘COLOR.’ Think Gumbo, Paella, Sushi, lamb, Chicken Picata and blue cheese. Loire Valley, with its gently rolling hills and majestic châteaux, is the largest sparkling wine region in France, outside of Champagne. One of the best known names in fine Loire Valley sparkling wines is Marquis de la Tour from Rémy Pannier. Rémy Pannier has been identified with premium quality Loire Valley wines since 1885. For more information check out www. palmbayimports.com.
Chinese New Year Spectacular: One Celebration, 5,000 Years of Tradition from, and prides itself on coming up with a new Spectacular each year. “Not only is there 5,000 years of tradition, For the past three years, Bostonians but there are also 56 different cultural have celebrated the New Year by takgroups to represent,” Zhang explained. ing part in the cultural phenomenon “We never have trouble finding new known as the Chinese New Year Specmaterial. The toughest part is trying tacular. Produced by Divine Performto fit as much as we can into a single ing Arts, the Spectacular is a celebrashow.” tion of Chinese culture designed for The show does a fantastic job of everybody who enjoys music, dance immersing the audience into Chinese and storytelling. culture and history, but Zhang stressed “The performances are very tradithat it is also designed to be accessible tional and very theatrical,” explained to everyone no matter what their own Boston Spectacle director Jennifer heritage may be. “Translations of the Zhang. “This isn’t the same as seeing a lion dance performed in Chinatown. lyrics are projected onto the background so people can follow along,” This is Chinese history and culture she said. “A lot of the dancing is so brought to a whole other level.” expressive it doesn’t really The Spectacular comneed translation because bines dance and music to xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx the emotions they are explore a range of themes The Chinese New expressing are universal.” from the ancient and modYear Spectacular It is in the dance numern world. Audiences may will be at the Opera bers that the show earns see the heroism of China’s House for three performances only, its title, “Spectacular.” The greatest general, Yue Fei or Saturday, Jan. 10 at show features almost 20 join the legendary heroine 2 and 7:30 p.m. and exquisitely choreographed Mulan on her quest. Sunday, Jan. 11, at song and dance routines “This is not the same 1 p.m. Tickets range from grand imperial prostory as the Disney Mulan from $38 to $120. For more information, cessions to more intimate cartoon,” Zhang quickly visit: www. expressions of human pointed out. “This is the divineshows.com/ emotion through movetraditional story that boston. explores the themes of ment. “People think of xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Chinese dance like this as loyalty and respecting one’s parents while servbeing a form of gymnastics, ing one’s country. It’s a whole but there’s so much more to it. different experience on stage.” It can be a very physical form of dance, but it’s also very graceful With more than 5,000 years of culture to explore, the creand beautiful, particularly in ative team at Divine Performthe way it is used to tell a story.” ing Arts has plenty of Zhang said, “Our Spectacular is a feast of the eyes, but it’s also a material to choose feast for the soul.” BY JOHN BLACK
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Entertainment
Trailing
Taraji
A few months after finishing principal photography on “Button,” Taraji P. Henson was in a sound studio re-recording some dialogue when her co-star, Brad Pitt, came up to her and said he’d been so impressed with working with her that he’d gone to the video store to get her other movies and have his own Taraji film festival. “I was blown away,” the actress told Color magazine. “He’s such a busy guy, but he sat down and watched my films. He said, ‘You’re something else. You played a lesbian sniper, a thumb-sucking baby momma, a pregnant prostitute and look at you now.’” We couldn’t have said it better ourselves. Here is a list of five movies for you to get and have your own Taraji film festival.
Taraji Henson as Queenie in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
Taraji P. Henson: ‘Benjamin Button’ Star Impresses Critics, Peers On Way to Top By John Black
Although she’s been acting for more than a dozen years, Taraji P. Henson didn’t become a familiar face to audiences until her breakout performance as the pregnant prostitute who added her voice – and her love – to her man’s music in “Hustle & Flow.” xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Four years and six feature films later, Henson is on the brink of becoming a bonafide Hollywood leading lady, and her work in the Golden Globe nominated film, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” just
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could be what pushes her to the top. “People told me it would get easier after ‘Hustle & Flow,’ but I don’t even know what easier is. Even the biggest stars fight for things. I don’t deal
Hustle & Flow. Henson plays Shug, a pregnant prostitute who supports her man (Terrence Howard) and his dreams of rapping his by out of poverty by adding the vocal hook that makes his song work. Talk to Me. Henson stars as Vernell Watson, a sassy D.C. soul sister who helps her boyfriend (Don Cheadle) evolve from wisecracking disc jockey to political activist. Smokin Aces. Henson and Alicia Keyes play hit women – and lovers – who give the boys a run for their money in this overthe-top action flick. Something New. Although she only has a few scenes in this romantic comedy about the pitfalls of interracial dating, Henson steals every one. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Henson plays Queenie, a young woman who raises a sickly infant she finds on her doorstep, teaching him how to survive in a world that he’ll never truly be part of.
with the struggle. I’m an artist and I’m an extreme optimist, Henson said in an interview with COLOR Magazine. “You’ll never hear me saying there aren’t enough roles for African American women. I believe work begets work. I’ve been lucky enough to have two films offered to me since then without auditioning (“Tyler Perry’s The Family That Preys” and “Not Easily Broken” starring Morris Chestnut). And I know one day a big studio will come to me and say we want you. It may not happen all the time. I may still have to fight for things, but that’s OK. I’m a fighter.” In “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” Henson plays Queenie, a caretaker in a New Orleans home for elderly White people who one night discovers a baby abandoned on the doorstep. The infant, suffering from a rare disease that makes him born old and grow younger as the years go by, horrifies everyone who sees it. Except for Queenie, who sees all life as a blessing. “Queenie has an unconditional love for this little baby so I had to allow myself to fall in love with this ugly animatronic thing they put in my arms,” Henson said with a laugh. “Somebody had to love him. If we don’t believe Queenie’s unconditional love for this child then the audience isn’t going to believe in the rest of the movie. If I don’t show immediately the love I have for this thing – that he is a human being no matter how he looks – then the audience loses.” That love is not only what hooks the audience into the story, but it is what allows us to follow Benjamin’s life story as he grows young while the world around him grows old. “Queenie is an incredible Continued on Page 22
www.colormagazineusa.com
12/29/08 5:33:52 PM
style
Bad Economy Equals Great Shopping been having sales that are making it hard for you to walk by the shop. They too have As of late, it’s all we’ve been hearing: been giving between 20 and 30 percent off the recession. Companies are closing their their sale items. A cashmere cardigan, which doors left and right and that doesn’t just would have cost you $110 bucks, is now costmean financial companies. This wave of the ing a mere $30. After experiencing sales like economic decline is also hitting retail, hard. these, it makes you realize how extensive the However, that doesn’t necessarily mean mark-up can be. With spending down everywhere, departbad news. It means that the postChristmas deals out in the stores ment stores are also part of the mark-down are better than they have been in swing. Macy’s has been advertising 50 percent off since before Christmas decades. There is do not forget the and Nordstrom still has a new name for the consignments shops, their reduced racks up fashionista during places like Second Time this time; the recesAround and The Closet where you can score a great pair of jeans for 40 sionista is out for the are at their fullest, percent off. In addition, kill, and they are getting since fashion lovers do not forget the consigneverything from 50 to 70 have taken to selling ments shops, places like percent off. their garb during this recession. Second Time Around and Marshall’s is a fashion The Closet are at their fulllovers dream, providing discounted prices on designer duds which est, since fashion lovers have taken to selling come to a fraction of the cost. This past their garb during this recession. Therefore, season, Marshall’s had an additional 30 this is a time where fashionistas rejoice! percent off their clearance. I have never The deals are everywhere but the jobs are seen that happen in my lifetime but didn’t short, so use good judgment, but it’s a great complain once I got a pair of Marc by time to stock up on items that used to be too Marc Jacobs pumps for $40. The yuppie pricey to afford. If you can get one good thing meets preppy J.Crew, which has escalated out of this economic downtown let it be that their prices over the past two years, has Michael Kors bag at 60 percent off. By Rosanna M. Ortiz
A Mercy Toni Morrison
It
Review by Joanne M. Choi
took three attempts before I could get past the first few chapters of Tonia Morrison’s latest novel, “A Mercy” (Borzoi Book). I half expected to feel lost immediately, as this happens to me when I read her works. Sometimes, I don’t know how I feel about her prose; delight and exasperation can occur simultaneously. So, it was easy to invent excuses to not let myself be open to the story and how it could impact me. Once I did, on a cold Sunday afternoon, it pulled me in and kept me there for the rest of the book. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The plot isn’t necessarily earth-shattering. At its core, it is about hope, family and sacrifice in all their incarnations; yet, Tonia Morrison keeps it all fresh and beautiful in its aching simplicity and truth. That is why Morrison is a skilled writer recognized for her craft and ability not to sound formulaic. She gives a voice to those silenced, that is silvery, melodious, wise and haunting at times. History can gloss over the religious tensions that permeated dealings in 17th century America; we tend to know more about the ethnic struggles between Native Americans and white Europeans and slavery as a whole. It was interesting that the plot touched upon the religious differences that also caused suspicion and mistrust. The secret fears of a white wife, orphaned misfit, black slave child and Native American are all
laid bare and you feel that you are inside their female hearts. If a persistent ghost from the past knew the hearts and souls of those early inhabitants and wrote it all down for someone to read now, they couldn’t have done a better job at capturing the inner core of these women. It would have been interesting to learn more about the mother of the black slave child, there isn’t enough of her voice, and you feel the need to understand someone that would beg a stranger to take her child. Oddly enough, the most memorable presence throughout the whole story was that Jacob Vaark, the white farmer. All the women in the story came together because of his actions. As I neared the end of the story, I wasn’t wondering, “Where is this going?” I knew that when the written story ended, the lives of the women would go on because they were survivors.
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Society
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ALL-INCLUSIVE AWARDS 2008
COLOR Magazine hosted the first annual AIA Awards at the Westin Waterfront on Dec. 11th. The evening featured CNN special correspondent, Soledad O'Brien, and WCVB-TV's Karen Holmes Ward as the emcee. More than 400 guests were in attendance.
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1. Karen Homes Ward, Robert Emilio, Dave Johnson, Kimberly Y. Jones, Liveda Clements, Milagros Abreu, Cleve Killingsworth, Soledad O’Brien, Josefina Bonilla-Ruiz, Russel Pergament and Ted Landsmark credit: John Hancock
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2. Soledad O’Brien, Josefina Bonilla-Ruiz, Karen Holmes Ward and Kimberly Y. Jones. credit: Luzmar Centeno 3. Samson Lee, Lisa Strack, Adriene Zubizarreta and Ming Hui. credit: Marcos Toledo 4. Janet Oberto and Theodore C. Landsmark credit: Nancy Bonilla
5. Josefina Bonilla-Ruiz, Nelson Dewitt, Elvin Diaz and Zorica Pantic credit: Nancy Bonilla 6. Juan Carlos Morales credit: Nancy Bonilla
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12/29/08 10:14:07 PM
Society
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1. Russel Pergament credit: Luzmar Centeno
2. Abe Achab, Alberto Vasallo, Jr., Yvonne Garcia credit: Nancy Bonilla
Faith Ringgold, Dream 2: King and the Sisterhood, 1988. Acrylic on canvas, pieced, dyed, and printed fabric. The Hayden Collection—Charles Henry Hayden Fund and anonymous gifts, 1991. Faith Ringgold © 1988.
3. Josefina Bonilla-Ruiz, Soledad O’Brien and Cleve Killingsworth credit: Marcos Toledo
4. Ferdinand Alvaro, Jr., Rosalin Acosta, Edward Lynch credit: Nancy Bonilla
5. Maria Nichols, Vanessa Pugh, Valerie Ching, Myeisha Demery, Candace Burns Johnson, Qiana Christian and Robert Amelio. credit: Nancy Bonilla
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
UNDERWRITTEN BY THE CITIZENS BANK FOUNDATION
Monday, January 19, 2009 10 am–4:45 pm FREE ADMISSION FOR ALL
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY
open house DEFINING IMAGES Truth and Propaganda— Portraiture, Photography, and Life Enjoy a free day at the MFA and celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Activities include a film on the legacy of Paul Robeson, poetry slam with Boston University’s “Speak for Yourself,” tours of the collections, family activities, and much more!
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HEALTH
Partners Continuing Care By Michelle McKenzie
and we see a huge increase in the need Fueled by medical adfor home-care services and a slight vances and greater longevdecline in inpatient rehabilitation ity of an aging population, and long term acute-care continuing care is one hospital based services,” of the fastest growing Storto said. “The need for and changing sectors of services for people with health care today. disabilities and chronic Many people are betillness will increase, but ter informed about how to more of the care will be live healthier lives, and are delivered in the commumanaging chronic conditions nity in people’s homes.” like diabetes and asthma. Continuing care is also Moreover, many people are not changing to meet the needs only surviving, but recovering of who is living longer. Pafrom illnesses that were previtients in need of services ously fatal or severely disabling, reflect the increasing culsuch as stroke. tural diversity of the region “All those things contribute to and the country, a fact not the changing nature of xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx lost on Partners. continuing care,” noted xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx “It also corresponds David E.Storto,president Continuing care is also with an increase in the of Partners Continuing changing to meet the diversity of our workCare and the Spaulding force. I can’t stress how Rehabilitation Network. needs of who is living important that is,” said “And that will continue longer. Patients in need Maureen Banks, the over the course of time. chief operating officer This whole area – nonof services reflect the for Spaulding Rehabilitaacute care – is an area increasing cultural tion Network, President of health care that is not diversity of the region Shaughnessy-Kaplan recognized or understood very well, and it’s and the country, a fact Rehabilitation Hospital and Partners Division of not as valued as much not lost on Partners. Skilled Nursing Facilities. as it needs to be in the xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx “As people go through an future.” xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx illness, we need to be Continuing care actually comprises three general areas: in- aware culturally of how people express patient rehabilitation and long term acute pain and cultural factors which may imcare, skilled nursing facility care and home pact how the health care providers interact health care services. Partners Continuing with family involved in the patient’s care. Care includes three hospitals, three nurs- We have to be aware of the nuances.” “One of the strengths and advantages of ing facilities and one home care center. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, what we have to offer,” Storto said, “is that 57.8 million people in the United States we are able, as a family of organizations will be between the ages of 66 and 84 by within the Partners Healthcare system, to the year 2030. In 2003, the last year for help individuals through a full continuum which data is available, there were 4,041 of inpatient acute care and continuing care continuing care retirement facilities, such services in an integrated fashion. Better as Partner’s member Fox Hill Village, in the continuity helps to enhance recovery and get patients back to their optimal level of United States. “We have done a future demand forecast functionality.”
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woman, and I think (Eric Roth) was very bold in the way he writes her. In the original short story she was just the nanny and Eric made the bold choice to make this black woman Benjamin’s mother at a time when racism was so thick in this country you could cut it with a knife. He didn’t hit the audience over the head with the race card, but he let us know what’s going on and he still didn’t allow Queenie to apologize for anything. “That was the key for me to play her in the movie,” Henson added. “I don’t judge my characters because I don’t want the audience to judge them. There’s always a reason why a person is loud. There’s always a reason why a girl becomes a prostitute. There’s always a reason for why a person is the way they are. Now I can play them with no dimension and make them stereotypes, but the objective is to play them as real people and show the whys and the little nuances so the audience doesn’t judge. They empathize.” Happy with the work she did – and the response that work got from her costar (see sidebar) – Henson said there is only one way for her to truly judge whether her performance worked in the story or not. “I have to wait until it opens and then go see it with an audience,” she said. “I like to buy a ticket and sit with people who know nothing about the story and see how they like it. That’s how I judge my success.”
www.colormagazineusa.com
12/29/08 5:34:15 PM
M U LT I C U LT U R A L MARKETING
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Multicultural Marketing Programs Valuable Advice. Exceptional Service.sm
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globalviewcomm.com
www.luzportfolio.com luzportfolio@hotmail.com
11/3/08 3:11:11 PM
We’re Honored! AS A COMPANY LONG COMMITTED TO DIVERSITY,
BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF MASSACHUSETTS IS THRILLED TO BE RECOGNIZED AS A RECIPIENT OF THE FIRST ANNUAL
ALL-INCLUSIVE AWARD IN THE CATEGORIES OF
LEADERSHIP SUPPLIER DIVERSITY This award is for every single associate, supplier and member that helps us bring our commitment to diversity and inclusion to life.
Top: Josefina Bonilla-Ruiz, Founder & Publisher of Color Magazine; Cleve Killingsworth, Chairman, President, and CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Middle: Josefina Bonilla-Ruiz, Founder & Publisher of Color Magazine; Soledad O’Brien, CNN Special Correspondent; Liveda Clements, Manager, Supplier Diversity Bottom: Soledad O’Brien, CNN Special Correspondent; Cleve Killingsworth, Chairman, President, and CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts is an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association
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12/29/08 5:34:25 PM
T H E PA R T N E R S H I P, I N C .
A New Birth of Freedom Boston Celebrates the Inauguration of President Barack H. Obama Please join The Partnership for a special Boston event to observe, honor and celebrate this historic moment. Date & Time: January 20, 2009 | 7:00pm to 11:00pm Location: The Boston Convention and Exhibition Center 415 Summer Street, Boston, MA 02210 Cost: $50 per person Celebration Ball (Black tie optional) Live Simulcast to Washington D.C. Balls Hors D’Oeuvres, Cash Bar, Entertainment and Dancing RSVP: By January 13, 2009 To pay online by credit card: Go to our website www.thepartnershipinc.org/convene/BostonCelebrates.html To pay by check: Make payable to The Partnership, Inc. and mail to Finance Department, The Partnership, Inc. 545 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116 Media Sponsor: The Partnership, Inc. 545 Boylston Street, 3rd Floor, Boston, MA 02116 | Tel. 617.262.2828 | Fax 617.262.5278 www.thepartnershipinc.org
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1/2/09 1:14:59 PM