Wednesday, July 27, 6:00 pm

Deval Patrick is the first black governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, one of only three black governors in U.S. history. But that was just one triumphant step in a long improbably journey which began in a poor tenement on Chicago's notorious south side. In his new memoir, A Reason to Believe, he pays tributes to family, friends, and strangers who, through words and deeds, have imparted upon him transcendent lessons about life, faith and friendship. In doing so, he reminds us all of the power of community. Come hear our governor who has emerged as one of the most important and eloquent voices in America.

From his hardscrabble youth to an elite prep school in New England, from defending inmates on death row to the boardroom of Fortune 500 companies and a career in politics, Patrick has had an extraordinary life. After junior high school, he received a scholarship to attend Milton Academy. From there he graduated from Harvard College and Harvard Law School. He has worked as an attorney for the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and was later appointed by President Clinton as the assistant attorney general for civil rights. In 2010, he began his second term as governor of Massachusetts. The first African-American Governor to win re-election in U.S. history, he defied all national trends in an anti-Democratic, anti-incumbent year.

What shines through Governor Patrick's words most clearly is his unshakeable optimism, his faith in others, and his belief in the American Dream for all. His is an endless campaign against cynicism, the feeling of apathy and despair that Patrick fears can demoralize individuals, a community, or even a country.

Make plans now to join us for a remarkable evening celebrating the importance of community.

A Reason to Believe is available at The Shop at Trinity Church.