Quinsigamond Community College to Host 34th Annual Community Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast

Worcester, MA – December 20, 2018 – The Reverend Martin Luther King Community Breakfast Committee announces the Keynote Speaker for their 34th Annual Community Breakfast to be held at Quinsigamond Community College on Monday, January 21, 2019 at QCC’s Athletic Center on 670 West Boylston Street, Worcester, MA.

A 1984 graduate of Doherty High in Worcester, this year’s keynote address will be delivered by the Reverend Dr. Lester A. McCorn, highly recognized as a visionary leader, scholar, author, activist and current President of Clinton College in Rock Hill, SC. Dr. McCorn attended Morehouse College, Yale Divinity School and Chicago Theological Seminary. He holds the Doctorate of Ministry (D.Min.) from United Theological Seminary and is currently a candidate for the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Ethical and Creative Leadership, with a concentration in Martin Luther King Jr. Studies and Social Change, at Union Institute and University in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Dr. McCorn is the former Director of Young Adult Ministries for the A.M.E. Zion denomination. He served as the President of the Zion Development Corporation, Inc. and the Zion M.A.D.E. Institute. He is also a principal of Community Churches for Community Development, Incorporated, headquartered in Baltimore. Pastor McCorn is the spiritual father to over 30 sons and daughters in ministry, some of whom are active pastors.  Additionally, Dr. McCorn has received many awards and honors and has served on the Boards of the United Way, Urban League and as chair of the Anti-Racism Task Force of the Illinois Conference of Churches. He is an inductee of the distinguished Martin Luther King Jr. Board of Preachers of Morehouse College.

Nellie Toney, Co- chair of the committee said that the breakfast has had some extremely talented and recognized speakers during our previous 33 years and “I believe Dr. McCorn will certainly be remembered as one of the most dynamic and thoroughly committed to celebrating the legacy and message of Rev. Dr. King.”

The committee, which has a basic goal to identify potential speakers who advance the mission of Dr. King, worked with former Worcester Mayor and Doherty High classmate Joe O'Brien to contact Rev. McCorn. Mr. O’Brien said, "His mission in life started here in Worcester where he led efforts to address issues of voting rights as a high school student and this objective continued throughout his career as he has persisted in his efforts to advance the cause of social and racial justice. Dr. McCorn’s life story of overcoming many challenges to build a remarkable career in ministry and now as the leader of a historic university is an inspiration to all of us."                                              

Upon learning that this year’s speaker is a graduate of the Worcester Public schools, Superintendent Maureen Binienda said, "It makes me extremely proud to have a 1984 graduate of Doherty Memorial High School selected as the keynote speaker at the Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Breakfast.  His numerous and prestigious accomplishments reflect so well on the Worcester Public Schools."

The event will be held at the Quinsigamond Community College’s Athletic Center, in Worcester. Doors open at 7:00 a.m. and the program will begin promptly at 8:00 a.m. Tickets are available; however, they must be purchased in advance and will not be available at the door on the day of the event. Tickets are $25 each ($250 for a table of 10) and may be purchased by contacting Selina Boria, President’s Office at QCC: 508.854.4368 or sboria [at] qcc.mass.edu for additional information. For driving directions to QCC, visit www.QCC.edu/about/driving-directions.