Every year, Embracing the Legacy, our signature celebration, shines a spotlight on people who share the values and commitment to social justice embodied by the late Senator Robert F. Kennedy Sr. This year, we’re excited to recognize Revs Ray and Gloria Hammond. They’ve been long time, remarkable couple whose lives are defined by their unwavering commitment to service, faith, and social justice, and it’s a pleasure to honor them with the Embracing the Legacy Award.

Reverend Dr. Ray Hammond, MD, is a true visionary and leader, co-founding Bethel A.M.E. in Boston alongside his wife, Gloria. The son of a Baptist preacher and a schoolteacher in Philadelphia, Rev. Hammond's early years instilled in him a deep sense of purpose and a passion for service. He earned degrees from Harvard College and Harvard Medical School, as well as a master’s degree in religion from Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, where he focused on Christian and medical ethics.

Rev. Hammond is a man of many hats, with a heart for social justice and a deep commitment to his community. He is the co-founder and chairman of the Ten Point Coalition, an ecumenical group of Christian clergy and lay leaders mobilizing the Greater Boston community around issues affecting black and Latino youth.

Reverend Gloria E. White-Hammond, MD, is a graduate of Boston University, Tufts University School of Medicine, and Harvard Divinity School. She serves as Co-Pastor of Bethel AME Church in Boston, Massachusetts and is the Swartz Resident Practitioner in Ministry Studies at Harvard Divinity School.

She served as a pediatrician at the South End Community Health Center from 1981-2008 and has since gone on to make an even greater impact in her community through her work with My Sister's Keeper, a humanitarian and human rights organization that champions social justice for women and girls in conflict zones.

Dr. White-Hammond's innovative ministries at Bethel include Shatter the Silence, which addresses sexual victimization of women and men in predominantly African American communities, and Planning Ahead, which encourages church members to begin conversations and complete their advance directives regarding their wishes for end-of-life care.

Together, Revs Ray and Gloria Hammond have become pillars of their community, blending their roles as spiritual leaders, medical professionals, and activists. Their shared belief in the transformative power of faith and education has driven their involvement in numerous initiatives focused on improving health care, youth services, and women’s rights. They are both strong advocates for education, seeing it as a vital tool in breaking cycles of poverty and violence. They both sit on a variety of Boards.

Mark your calendars for our Embracing the Legacy event on November 21 as we celebrate the life-changing work of our organization and the remarkable contributions that Revs Ray and Gloria Hammond make to our communities every day.