Massasoit’s One Book, One College Program Hosts Steve Pemberton, Author of A Chance in the World

A Chance in the World is a soon-to-be major motion picture. The author was on campus March 30 as part of Massasoit’s One Book, One College program.

March 31, 2017 – This spring semester, Massasoit Community College chose A Chance in the World by Steve Pemberton for its One Book, One College selection. The final event of the program was held on March 30 with two author-led book discussions and a keynote presentation by the author entitled “The Advantage of Disadvantage: How to Transform Adversity Into Action.”

Steve Pemberton, born Steve Klakowicz, was born to a black father who was later murdered and an alcoholic white mother. At the age of three, Steve was removed from his home along with four of his surviving brothers and sisters and placed in the foster care system of Massachusetts. He never saw his birth mother again. After suffering from extensive physical and emotional abuse at the hands of his foster parents, he earned a full scholarship to attend Boston College, where he later served as assistant director of undergraduate admissions.

Mr. Pemberton currently serves as the Chief Diversity Officer at Walgreens, Inc.; he is the first person in the company’s history to hold this position. He lectures frequently on issues related to diversity, dealing with difficult challenges, and child advocacy. Steve’s autobiography, A Chance in the World, details his childhood abuse, his search for his family, the bittersweet reunions with those he located, and his ongoing struggle to solidify his personal identity.

One Book events throughout the semester also included a kick-off event which included the art exhibit, “Of Many Colors: Portraits of Multi-Racial Families,” and a talk from Professor Aviva Rich-Shea about her work with the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families, which oversees foster care in the state. There was also a student writing contest, several book discussions, and a college-wide children’s book drive.

Below, please find photos from the college’s various One Book events.