By Matt Sutkoski, Free Press Staff Writer
Saturday, January 15, 2011

Patrick Brown, executive director of the Greater Burlington Multicultural Resource Center, talks about this Sunday's Martin Luther King Jr. celebration at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Burlington. Photo credit: EMILY McMANAMY, Burlington Free Press

As part of the Burlington area’s celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Rev. Al Sharpton will speak at a 3 p.m. Sunday event in the Unitarian Universalist Church. That’s a pretty big draw for Vermont, and those attending the event have Patrick Brown to thank for that.

Brown is executive director of the Greater Burlington Multicultural Resource Center, a shoestring operation that has nonetheless brought some big names to Burlington for Martin Luther King Jr. Day events and for an annual diversity conference each March.

Desmond Tutu has been here. So has Anita Hill — twice. Brown has brought Angela Davis and Dick Gregory, and now Sharpton. Continue reading →