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Boston Scenes

Local and Culturally Relevant Events this week

Phil Wilson (c), founder of the Black AIDS Institute, a national HIV/AIDS think tank that focuses exclusively on black people, spoke about the national HIV/AIDS strategy at a forum on AIDS at the Mattapan Branch Library. The forum was hosted by the NAACP in recognition of World AIDS Day. Also in attendance were NAACP Boston Branch President Michael Curry (l) and Multicultural AIDS Coalition’s Executive Director Gary K. Daffin. (Bridgit Brown photo)

Former Red Sox player Pedro Martinez was joined by his wife Carolina at HomeGoods in Bedford, Mass. on Dec. 3, 2011 for a signing. Donations brought to the signing benefited the Pedro Martinez and Brothers Foundation, as well as the Pedro Youth Academy and Ballpark. (George Weinstein photo) 

The Brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, Epsilon Gamma Lamda (EGL) Chapter at their recent 105th Founder’s Day Celebration flank special guests Alpha Phi Alpha Eastern Regional Vice-President Sean McCaskill (center) and Charles Vert Willie (seated front row second from left), friend and classmate (Morehouse College ‘48) of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Award recipients included Dr. Jacobi Cunningham of Mattapan, who received the Brother of the Year award, and Paulvalery Roulette of Brookline, who received the Royal Bolling Service Award. (Victor Kakulu photo)

Mayor Thomas M. Menino lights the 45-foot Nova Scotia Christmas tree on the Boston Common Dec. 1. Entertainment for the evening included appearances by Joey McIntyre, ’’American Idol’’ finalist Siobhan Magnus, the Radio City Rockettes, Rockapella, the Boston Ballet, the Boston Children’s Choir and saxophonist Grace Kelly. (George Weinstein photo)

Distinguished singer and songwriter Lionel Richie visited Harvard on Monday to receive the “Humanitarian Award” from the Harvard Foundation. Richie is shown here with UMass/Boston president Keith Motley and his wife Angela at a private reception hosted by Ron Sullivan and Stephanie Robinson at Harvard’s Winthrop House. (Tony Irving photo)