Boston Scenes

The National Organization of Blacks In Government (BIG) kicked off its 33rd Annual National Training Conference at the Hynes Convention Center. Mayor Thomas Menino welcomed the convention’s arrival on Monday, which is expected to attract 5,000 attendees. Pictured from (l to r) are: David Groves, chairman of BIG’s Board of Directors; Bay State Banner Publisher/Editor Melvin B. Miller; Menino; and J. David Reeves, national president of BIG. (Photo courtesy of Mayor Menino’s Office)

First lady Diane Patrick gave her endorsement of City Councilor Ayanna Pressley at the Sistahs for Re-election gathering at the National Center for African American Artists in Roxbury last week. Patrick encouraged those in attendance to work to ensure Pressley’s re-election this fall. (Don West photo)

Sponsored by the Harvard Law School Charles Hamilton Houston Institute, “Heard it through the grapevine” included two lively panel discussions on race and the media. Moderated by Harvard law professor Charles J. Ogletree Jr., the panels included Charles M. Blow, Anita Hill, Gwen Ifill, Randall Kennedy, Glenn Loury, Howard Manly, Tiffany Manuel, Mark McPhail, Elizabeth Mehren, Douglas Wilder and Tim Wise. (Lolita Parker Jr. photo)

Dr. Azzie Young (c), president and CEO of Mattapan Community Health Center (MCHC) is joined by John Auerbach, commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (l) and Dr. Peter Slavin, president of Mass General Hospital (r) at the “topping off” ceremony Aug. 17 to celebrate the construction of MCHC’s new building in Mattapan Square. (Don West photo)

Youth Design held its end of summer graduation celebration at the Boston Arts Center Aug. 17, 2011. Youth Design is a collaboration between Boston’s high school students and professional designers. Pictured (from l to r) are: Tuyen Nguyen; Joe Soto; Jason Stevens; Dahrell Rusk; Denise Korn, founder of Youth Design; and Paul Lee, mentor from Blue Cross Blue Shield. (Photo courtesy of Youth Design)

 Heard it through the grapevine

Barry Gordy Jr., the legendary founder of Motown, was the recipient of a tribute by Harvard Law School’s Charles Hamilton Houston Institute. Held on Martha’s Vineyard, Gordy (top left) attended panel discussions moderated by Harvard Law School professor Charles J. Ogletree Jr. (top right) and included commentary from PBS’ Gwen Ifill (middle left). Larry Watkins gave a rousing performance of Motown hits, while Ogletree and Suzanne de Passe are seen taking a break for lunch. Before the symposium began, Watkins clasps his hands in prayer for President Barack Obama and his family. (Mike Levin photos)