Clockwise from above: Imari Paris-Jeffries; DJ Chubby Chub; Emcees Melisa Valdez and Latoya Edwards; Lee Pelton; Bay State Banner Publisher Ron Mitchell and his wife, Lisa Mitchell with Imari Paris-Jeffries; Deval Patrick presents an award to 2024 Embrace Honors Cohort members Sandy and Paul Edgerley; (left to right) Deval Patrick, Sen. Ed Markey, Diane Patrick, and 2024 Embrace Honors Cohort members Dr. Yndia and Damian Lorick-Wilmot. PHOTOS: THUNDER ROAD PRODUCTIONS

One year after the official unveiling of “The Embrace” memorial and 1965 Freedom Plaza on Boston Common, Embrace Boston welcomed over 1,200 community members to the second annual Friends & Family Sneaker Affair on Sunday, Jan. 14. The event included honors for local couples who have displayed a longstanding commitment through their professional and philanthropic work to building a Boston that works for all.