Boston Scenes

Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., receives an honorary degree during the commencement ceremony at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Conn., last Sunday. Filling in for Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., who was recently diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor, Obama tied himself to the Kennedy family’s legacy, urging college graduates to “make us believe again” by dedicating themselves to public service. (AP photo/Chris Carlson)

(From left): Steve Crosby, dean of the John W. McCormack Graduate School of Policy Studies at the University of Massachusetts-Boston; Dr. J. Keith Motley, chancellor of UMass-Boston; and Gov. Deval Patrick were among the major players in attendance at UMass-Boston last Friday for the Commonwealth Compact breakfast. The Compact initiative is intended to work with employers to improve minority and female representation within their staffs. (Don West photo)

As part of St. Paul A.M.E. Church’s celebration of the Rev. Leroy Attles Sr.’s 30 years of ministry at the Cambridge church, Charles J. Ogletree Jr. of the Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race and Justice at Harvard University moderated a panel discussion on the role of the black church and the media.

Last Saturday’s St. Paul A.M.E. Church’s celebration attracted panelist the Rev. Dr. Ray Hammond (right) and Rev. Attles’ wife Henrietta (hat), seated next to Mrs. Jestina Richardson, whose husband, the Rev. Richard W. Richardson, also participated in the panel. Right: The Rev. Calvin Butts, pastor of the Abyssinian Baptist Church in New York City, state Sen. Dianne Wilkerson and Rev. Attles. (Tony Irving photos)

Aaron Tanaka, an organizer with the Boston Workers Alliance (left), and Horace Small of the Union of Minority Neighborhoods attended last Thursday’s State House rally advocating for reforms to the state’s Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) laws. The rally marked the end of a 50-mile walk undertaken by a group of people who say their lives have been negatively impacted by the misuse of CORI data. (Tony Irving photo)

Salem State College recently presented its 2008 Outstanding Educator Award, posthumously, to Pharnal Longus. His widow, Luz Marina Barreto-Longus, and his two sons, Salim and Omar, accepted the award on his behalf. A former Salem resident and professor of social work at Salem State, Longus retired in 2002 after 30 years of service, yet continued to teach part time in the college. He was instrumental in developing a number of programs in the community, including the Institute on Undoing Racism. He died in September 2007. (Photo courtesy of Salem State College)

Roxbury resident Katrina Horton, accompanied by Nicole Brack, braved rainy weather to participate in Project Bread’s recent 40th annual Walk for Hunger. More than 40,000 dedicated walkers showed their commitment to the cause by taking part in the event, which raised a record-breaking $3.8 million in funds for emergency food programs. Many programs face increases in the cost of food and fuel. To donate, visit www.projectbread.org/walk. (Photo courtesy of Project Bread)

Local musical mainstay Walter Beasley belts out a tune on his sax during a set last Friday night, part of his two-night stand at Scullers Jazz Club at the Doubletree Guest Suites on Soldiers Field Road in Allston. (Tony Irving photo)