Bates Medal Awarded to Dr. Ibram X. Kendi and Bank of America

In October, during a ceremony at the Central Library, the Boston Public Library (BPL) awarded the Bates Medal to Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, Director and Founder of Boston University’s Center for Antiracist Research, and Bank of America, with Mr. Miceal Chamberlain, Managing Director and Massachusetts President of Bank of America, accepting.

“The Bates Medal is named for Joshua Bates, who provided the initial funding for the BPL’s collections because he believed that all people should have equal access to the resources they need to enrich their lives,” said David Leonard, President of the Boston Public Library. “Both Dr. Kendi and Mr. Chamberlain exemplify this commitment, and this award speaks to their leadership in following Bates’s footsteps, developing resources — both scholarly and financial — that expand opportunities for all.”

“At a time when the collections at our nation’s public libraries are being restricted and cut back, I accept this medal of behalf of all the librarians around the country fighting to expand literary opportunities like Joshua Bates.” — Dr. Ibram X. Kendi

“Working together across the public and private sectors is critical to driving positive change, and we’re lucky that this ‘palace for the people’ is here in Boston, working to build a brighter future for our community.”

— Miceal Chamberlain