[00:00:03]
UM, ARE WE READY? UM, MR. PRESIDENT.
EVENING TO THE COUNTY EXEC GEORGE JSO, JR.
CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS, MY FELLOW COMMISSIONERS, OUR HONOREE TO ALL WHO HAVE ASSEMBLED HERE THIS GOOD FINE EVENING AND WAYNE L. RICHARDSON.
AND I AM PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS.
IT HAS BECOME A TRADITION HERE IN ESSEX COUNTY TO RECOGNIZE THE CULTURES AND ETHNICITIES THAT MAKE ESSEX SO DIVERSE.
ALTHOUGH COVID CAUSED A SHIFT TO VIRTUAL GATHERINGS FOR A WHILE, I AM ALWAYS PROUD TO CELEBRATE THE UNIQUENESS OF EACH OF THESE CULTURES.
I'M ESPECIALLY PROUD TO BE TOGETHER TODAY WITH YOU WHO HAVE WEATHERED NOT ONLY THE TRIALS OF THE PANDEMIC, BUT ALSO GREAT SOCIAL UPHEAVAL AND A SURGE IN HORRIFIC RACIAL VIOLENCE AND INJUSTICE.
YOUR PRESENCE HERE TODAY IS WITNESS TO OUR RESILIENCE AND OUR DETERMINATION TO MOVE THE NEEDLE OF OUR NATION TOWARD TRUE LIBERTY FOR ALL.
EACH FEBRUARY, OUR NATION CELEBRATES THE WISDOM, STRENGTH, AND DYNAMIC LEADERSHIP OF AFRICAN AMERICANS BOTH PAST AND PRESENT, AND THEIR SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COUNTRY, THE STATE, AND ESPECIALLY RIGHT HERE IN ESSEX COUNTY.
SO TODAY, THE COMMISSIONERS CELEBRATE THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF OUR FOUR HONOREES, MARRIE J CUNNINGHAM, THE HONORABLE ASMAT GERBA, MICHAEL, THE HONORABLE GERALD W. OWENS, AND DR.
WE HONOR ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS, AND DURING A PROGRAM, WE WILL HEAR DETAILS ABOUT THE ABUNDANT WORK YOU HAVE ALL DONE.
TONIGHT'S PROGRAM DETAILS THE ACHIEVEMENTS AND SUCCESSES OF EACH HONOREE.
TO BEGIN THIS EVENING'S PROGRAM, WE WOULD LIKE TO START WITH AN OPENING PRAYER.
WE HAVE MINISTER BRANSON FROM THE UNION BAPTIST CHURCH OF MONTCLAIR WITH US THIS EVENING.
MINISTER BRANSON IS PASSIONATE AND TRANSFORMATIONAL.
HE IS COMMITTED TO A MESSAGE OF REDEMPTION, REFORMATION, AND SECOND CHANCES, WHICH IS WHY HE SPENDS A GOOD DEAL OF THIS TIME IN PRISON MINISTRY.
WE ARE BLESSED TO HAVE HIM DELIVER THE OPENING PRAYER FOR OUR PROGRAM.
PLEASE JOIN ME IN WELCOMING MINISTER BRANSON TO THE PROGRAM.
I GIVE YOU GREETINGS AND TIDINGS ON BEHALF OF UNION BAPTIST CHURCH AND OUR SENIOR PASTOR, THE REVEREND DR.
UH, THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW RECORDS A MOMENT OF HISTORY IN WHICH TWO DISCIPLES, PETER AND JOHN ARE STANDING AT WHAT IS THE MOUNT OF TRANSFIGURATION WITH JESUS.
AND THEY ARE VISITED, UH, BY BOTH MOSES AND ELIJAH.
AND IN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THAT MOMENT AND ALL THAT IT SYMBOLIZED, IT'S PETER WHO MAKES THE PROFOUNDLY SIMPLE BUT BEAUTIFUL STATEMENT.
AND SO I SHARE, AND I ECHO THAT SENTIMENT, GIVEN ALL THAT IT HAS TAKEN FOR US TO COME AND ASSEMBLE ON THIS OCCASION, THIS BLACK HISTORY MONTH IN THIS AUSPICIOUS CHAMBER RIGHT HERE IN ESSEX COUNTY.
AND INDEED, I SAY IT'S GOOD TO BE HERE.
OUR GOD, FATHER OF ABRAHAM, ISAAC, AND JACOB, OUR GOD WHO SITS HIGH AND LOVES AND IS KIND TO ALL OF US, HOLLOW IT BE THY NAME.
GOD, WE WANNA COME FIRST AND FOREMOST JUST TO SAY THANK YOU.
WE COME WITH HEARTS FULL OF GRATITUDE BECAUSE WE ACKNOWLEDGE GOD, THAT YOU HAVE BEEN AN AWESOME GOD.
YOU'VE KEPT PROSPERED US, YOU'VE PROVIDED FOR US.
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GOD AND SOUL.WE'RE ONLY HERE TODAY BECAUSE OF YOUR GRACE AND YOUR MERCY.
WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR HASSED, WHICH IS YOUR STEADFAST LOVE.
WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR SHALOM, WHICH IS THE PEACE THAT PASTOR STANDING.
AND GOD, WE HAVE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WHILE EVERYTHING ISN'T ALL RIGHT, IT ISN'T ALL WRONG, GOD, THAT, THAT OUR GOOD DAYS HAVE OUTWEIGHED OUR BACK.
SO WE ARE GRATEFUL JUST FOR THE LIFE, THE HEALTH, THE STRENGTH, THE PROSPERITY OF OUR LIMBS, THE SOBRIETY OF OUR MINDS, AND THE ABLE AND WILLING BODIES AND SPIRITS THAT WOULD ALLOW US TO BE HERE.
WE THANK YOU FOR THIS COUNTRY THAT WE CALL HOME.
WE THANK YOU FOR THIS COUNTY THAT CONTINUES TO MOVE US FORWARD IN GOD.
WE THANK YOU EVEN RIGHT NOW FOR ALL OF THE SERVANT LEADERS WHO ARE ASSEMBLED IN THIS ROOM AND YET ARE BEING ACKNOWLEDGED FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS.
SO MANY TIRELESS WAYS, SO MANY HOURS SPENT, SO MANY THANKLESS NIGHTS ARE ASSEMBLED IN THIS CHAMBER.
AND SO WHETHER THEIR NAMES ARE ON PLAQUES OR NOT, GOD, WE THANK YOU RIGHT NOW.
AND I SAY HALLELUJAH FOR ALL OF THE TEACHERS, ALL OF THE SERVICEMEN AND WOMEN, ALL OF THE OFFICERS WHO I SEE IN THE CORNER.
GOD, I THANK YOU FOR EVERY SERVANT AND EVERY PARENT IN THIS ROOM THAT CONTINUES TO MAKE ESSEX COUNTY.
GOD, WE PRAY RIGHT NOW THAT YOUR SPIRIT WOULD FALL FRESH ON THIS ROOM THAT YOU WOULD ANOINT EVEN THIS SANCTUARY, THIS SERVICE, THOSE WHO ARE HERE AND THOSE WHO MIGHT EVEN BE ON THEIR WAY, THAT EVERYTHING THAT'S SAID AND DONE WOULD BE PLEASING IN YOUR SIGHT.
AND IF YOU ARE IN AGREEMENT WITH ME, THE CHILDREN OF GOD SAID, AMEN AND AMEN.
I WANT TO GIVE THIS TO SOMEONE ELSE.
SO I'M GLAD IT'S NOT ME UP NEXT
SO AT THIS TIME, I WILL CALL UP OUR PERFORMER FOR THIS AFTERNOON, CARISSA LA VIOLIN DIVA, WHO WILL PERFORM THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER AND LIFT EVERY VOICE AND SING.
FOR NOW, WE WILL SIMPLY ENJOY HER TALENTS, BUT WILL GIVE A MORE DETAILED INTRODUCTION WHEN SHE RETURNS LATER IN THE PROGRAM.
PLEASE JOIN ME IN WELCOMING TO THE PODIUM, THERESA, THE VIOLIN DEDA.
EVA, PLEASE STAND WHO'S BUS DRIVES AND BRIDE FIGHT.
RIGHT? ALL THE LIVED EVERY VOICE AND SING UNTIL EARTH RING, RING WITH THE
[00:10:04]
LET I SING EYES HIGH AS LET.SO, UM, PRESIDENT RICHARDSON, UM, I DON'T KNOW WHAT I DID, BUT I HAVE TO NOT ONLY FILE FOLLOW MINISTER BRANSON
IT'S MY PLEASURE, UH, TO BE WITH YOU TONIGHT.
UH, MY NAME IS, UH, FRIEND GILL, UH, COMMISSIONER AT LARGE HERE ON ESSEX COUNTY BOARD OF, UM, COMMISSIONERS.
UH, BEFORE, UM, I JUMP INTO, UH, THIS WONDERFUL PROGRAM AND, AND JUST AN OUTSTANDING GROUP OF HONOREES.
UH, TONIGHT I WANTED TO INTRODUCE, UH, MY COLLEAGUES, UH, WHO ARE HERE, AND THEN ALSO, UH, HERE FROM, UH, MAYOR ROBERT JACKSON, OUR COUNTY FORMER.
HE WANTS TO MAKE SURE I SAY FORMER MAYOR ROBERT JACKSON.
UM, HE'S OUTTA THAT, THAT, UH, THINGS ARE GOING REAL SLOWLY RIGHT NOW IN SOUND THERE, UH,
UH, SO, UH, TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF OUR COUNTY, UH, EXECUTIVE, BUT JOINING US, UH, FROM OUR, UH, COMMISSIONER BOARD, UH, AND I SAY THIS, UH, WITH THE UTMOST RESPECT, UH, THE DEAN OF OUR DELEGATION, UH, COMMISSIONER PAT SIEGAL, WHO IS HERE TONIGHT, COMMISSIONER SIEGAL, UH, MY, UH, SEAT PAID ON MY RIGHT AND, UH, DURING MEETINGS AND, AND PARTNER IN CRIME, SO TO SPEAK.
COMMISSIONER TONIGHT, UH, TO MY RIGHT, UH, WE HAVE, UH, MY GOOD FRIEND AND FELLOW METZ FAN AND COMMISSIONER MERCADO
UM, SITTING NEXT, UM, SITTING NEXT TO COMMISSIONER MECADO, UH, IS COMMISSIONER RIS, WHO, UH, REPRESENTS THE FIFTH DISTRICT COMMISSION.
RIS ALSO, ALSO MY GOOD FRIEND IN TERMS OF ELECTED OFFICIALS.
UM, WE HAVE COUNCILMAN OH, I KNOW.
AND, AND SHE COULD REMIND ME OF THAT LATER AT THE NEXT MEETING.
UM, SO I PROMISE I'LL MAKE THAT UP TO COMMISSIONER GRAHAM, WHO WAS WITH US FROM THE CITY OF IRV, COMMISSIONER GRAHAM AND COMMISSIONER GRAHAM.
[00:15:01]
THAT I HAD THAT OVERSIGHT, THAT SLATE OVERSTATE, WAS BECAUSE I WANTED TO GET TO HEAR COLLEAGUE AND GOOD FRIEND FROM THE CITY OF, UH, COUNCILMAN HERE, HERE, THERE HE IS.SO
UM, I ALSO, UM, YOU ACKNOWLEDGED HIM AND NOT AGREE.
UM, UM, UM, UH, WE HAVE A WONDERFUL GROUP OF MONTERES, UM, PARTICULARLY THOSE US UH, FROM SPECIAL PRESIDENT.
THERE'S A, THERE SEEM TO BE A LITTLE BIT OF MONCLAIR THEME HERE TONIGHT THAT, UH, SO WE THANK YOU, UH, FOR ALLOWING THAT TONIGHT, BUT ALSO WANTED TO ACKNOWLEDGE YOU DID ACKNOWLEDGE, UM, JIM JOHNSON, WHO, UM, HAS A VARIETY ROLES, WHO'S HERE WITH US TONIGHT, SERVED SPECIAL COUNCIL IN ATLANTIC CITY VERY RECENTLY, UM, RAN, UH, FROM GOVERNOR IN 2017.
I CAN ONLY, I WAS ONLY WITH YOU TO POINT ON THAT ONE, JIM
SO THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE, UM, TONIGHT.
UM, SO WITH THAT, UM, LET'S GET TO, UM, OUR FIRST, UH, MARGARET CN TO JOIN ME, UH, AT THE PODIUM, PLEASE.
SO, AGAIN, YOU JOIN ME IN WELCOMING, UM, TEACHER, AUTHOR, ENTREPRENEUR, MEDIA SPECIALIST, AND PHILANTHROPIST MARGARET J. CUNNINGHAM.
[00:20:01]
IS AN, THIS IS AN EVENT FOR LOTS OF ROUNDS OF APPLAUSE BECAUSE EVERYONE TONIGHT DESERVES TO BE, TO BE RECOGNIZED, UM, AND HONORED.PLEASE ALLOW ME TO SHARE A FEW HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE COMMENDATION.
IN THE MIDST OF A SUCCESSFUL CAREER CLOSING DEALS ON WALL STREET, MARGARET REALIZED HER GREATEST JOY WAS SPARKED BY OPENING AND EMPOWERING THE MINDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE THROUGH LITERACY AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT.
SO SHE FOLLOWED HER HEART INTO EDUCATION, BECOMING A FIFTH GRADE E L E L A TEACHER, AND THEN A LIBRARY MEDIA SPECIALIST SERVING AS A DISTRICT MEDIA SPECIALIST IN THE ROELLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
MARGARET THRIVES ON SHARING PRINT AND DIGITAL DIGITAL LITERATURE AND NEW MEDIA TOLD A HURT THE BOARD THE CHILD DEVELOPMENT OF AND SPEARHEADING THE EFFORT TO CREATE DR.
JOHNSON MUSIC EDUCATION PROGRAM AND SPEARHEADING THE EFFORT.
SHE'S THE AUTHOR OF BREAKTHROUGH RESULTS IN EDUCATION, RELEASING THE POTENTIAL OF THEIR STUDENTS DISTRICT OF BREAKTHROUGH RESULTS.
SHE FOUND SUCCESS VENTURES TO BRING PROGRAMS IN NEW MEDIA TO YOUNG PEOPLE AND THEIR COMMUNITY.
SHE HAS A SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR CREATING DE DEPORTABLE BOOKS THAT FEATURE CHILDREN OF COLOR AS MAIN CHARACTER AND PORTRAY COMMUNITIES THAT ARE MORE REFLECTED THAT FUTURE CHILDREN OF COLOR AT MAIN CHARACTERS.
HARVARD IS A PHILANTHROPIST COMMUNITY FOCUSED ON OBTAINING BOOKS, PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICES AND ACCESSORIES FOR LOCAL DISTRICTS FOCUSED ON OBTAINING PORTABLE.
JOHNSON AND ACCESSORIES FOR LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
SHE EXECUTES AS NOTED, BOTH THE DR.
JOHNSON COLLEGIATE SCHOLARSHIP AND THE CHARLOTTE CLARK HILL SCHOLARSHIP, A PERSEVERANCE FOR WOMEN OF COLOR PURSUING AN ENGINEERING DEGREE, HER GREATEST
SO I HAVE ASSUMED TO BE NINTH GRADER IN HIGH SCHOOL, SO I'M DEFINITELY GONNA BE CALLING YOU ABOUT
MARGARET ALSO SERVED AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE NORTH JERSEY CHAPTER OF THE JACK AND JILL OF AMERICA.
SHE BECAME THE ORGANIZATION'S NATIONAL CHAIR OF ITS CURRICULUM COMMITTEE FROM 2020 TO 2022, AND CREATED SIX ORIGINAL K THROUGH 12 CURRICULUMS FOR MORE THAN 12,000 FAMILIES.
THROUGHOUT HER EVERY ENDEAVOR, MARGARET IS ONE WHO ELEVATES WHOMEVER AND WHATEVER HE'S INVOLVED IN CONTINUOUSLY INSPIRING YOUNG PEOPLE.
UH, MARGARET THIS AFTERNOON, WE ARE PLEASED TO PRESENT WITH YOU THE BOARD'S ACCOMMODATION SHARE FEW WORDS, HONOR MY PRIVILEGE.
GOOD EVENING, AND THANK YOU SO, SO MUCH TO OUR COUNTY EXECUTIVE, TO THE BOARD OF, AND ESPECIALLY TO COMMISSIONER GILL.
I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW HUMBLING THIS IS, UH, TO RECEIVE SUCH AN HONOR.
UM, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE ALWAYS DOING THE WORK AND YOU'RE NOT THINKING ABOUT, UH, WHAT COMES FROM THAT EXCEPT FOR WHAT YOU ARE SEEING.
AND, UM, AND I LOVE WHAT I DO.
UM, OUR CHILDREN ARE OUR FUTURE, UM, AND WE SHOULD BE CONCERNED.
UM, AND THERE IS WORK FOR US TO DO IN SUPPORT OUR YOUNG PEOPLE AND THEIR FAMILIES.
UM, SOMETHING LIKE THIS HELPS ME REFLECT ON THE IMPACT THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO HAVE, THOUGH, IN SPITE OF THE MANY HURDLES THAT DO EXIST.
UM, I APPLAUD ESSEX COUNTY FOR THE WORK THAT YOU ARE DOING IN COMMUNITIES WORK THAT YOU ARE ALLOWING TO BE DONE IN COMMUNITIES.
AND I ENCOURAGE YOU TO CONTINUE TO BE CREATIVE AND TO BE TRANSFORMATIONAL.
[00:25:06]
TO MAKE SURE THAT WE MAINTAIN PRINCIPLES OF CLEY AND QUALITY, I WANNA SAY THANK YOU AGAIN, FORWAR, AND THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO LISTEN.THE WORLD IS FULL OF POSSIBILITIES AND YOU COULD DO ABSOLUTELY ANYTHING THAT YOU SENT YOUR HEART TO.
I AM THE FIRST ETHIOPIAN ELECTED OFFICIAL IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY.
SO GOOD EVENING, EVENING, EVENING.
UM, I ALMOST CLEARED UP HERE BETWEEN THE REVEREND AND MADE ME WANNA GO TO CHURCH, THE VIOLINIST THAT STIRRED MY SOUL AND LISTENING TO OUR FIRST TWO HONOREES.
I AM TRULY MOVED AND HAPPY TO BE HERE TODAY TO CELEBRATE ALL OUR WONDERFUL HONOREES.
I AM DISTRICT FREE COMMISSIONER SHAWN COOPER.
AND I HAVE THE WONDERFUL TASK TELLING ME MORE ABOUT OUR WONDERFUL PERFORMER THIS EVENING.
PLEASE FORGIVE ME IF I MISPRONOUNCE YOUR NAME, KARISSA, THE VIOLIN DIVA.
WE'VE ALREADY HEARD HER WONDERFUL AUDITION, AND BEFORE SHE COMES BACK UP FOR ANOTHER, UM, UM, SONG, LET ME TELL YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HER.
SHE GOT HER MU MUSICAL INFLUENCE AS SHE WAS GROWING UP IN BALTIMORE, AND WE CAN, FROM LISTENING TO HER ALREADY, SHE WAS INFLUENCED BY GOSPEL.
I WAS REALLY SURPRISED BY THE DC GOGO MUSIC,
AND SHE'S LEARNED HOW TO BLEND ALL THOSE THINGS TOGETHER TO COME UP WITH HER WONDERFUL TRADEMARK, JAZZ INFUSED TEMPORARY SOUL STYLE THAT SHE HAS.
SHE HAS PERFORMED AND WON TOP HONORS AT NATIONAL GOSPEL AND JAZZ COMPETITIONS, AND HEADLINED AT MANY HALLS AND FESTIVALS DURING, THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
CARISSA IS A PROGRESSIVE JAZZ ARTIST AND AN IN-DEMAND INNOVATOR WHO HAS CROSSED MUSICAL BORDERS TO COLLABORATE WITH SOMEONE.
TODAY'S MOST DYNAMIC ARTIST, SUCH AS WENT TO MARSALIS, SAVON GLOVER, QUINCY JONES, KIM BURRELL, COMMON MUSIC, SOULCHILD, AND WILLIAM MCDOWELL.
AS AN OPENING ACT, SHE SET THE STAGE ON FIRE AHEAD OF MELISSA MORGAN AND FREDDIE JACKSON.
PLEASE JOIN ME ONCE AGAIN IN WELCOMING CARISSA THE IN THE SPIRIT OF THE MONTH.
THIS IS, UM, BONNIE HATHAWAY'S SONG.
[00:32:39]
LET'S THE, I THINK IF HER KIDS LISTEN AND WATCH YOU PLAY, THEY MIGHT WAKE UP PLAYING INSTRUMENTS, INSTRUMENTS MORE.SHE CERTAINLY MAKING LOOK FABULOUS.
AT THIS TIME, I HAVE THE PLEASURE OF INVITING UP MY FIRST HONOR, RAY, THE HONORABLE GERALD W. OWENS.
GERALD IS A GIANT IN OUR COMMUNITY WHO HAS SINGLEHANDEDLY, SINGLE-HANDEDLY REPRESENTED IN MORE QUALITY AND EQUITY TO SO MANY WORKERS IN ES COUNTY, AS WELL AS ACROSS OUR NATION.
SO SOME OF YOU, IF YOU DON'T KNOW, COME YOU WHO MR. OWENS IS TONIGHT.
MR. OWENS BEGAN HIS CAREER AT THE WATERFRONT INDUSTRY IN 1958 WHEN HE JOINED A LOCAL I L A 1233 AS A LONGSHOREMAN DOWN IN PORT NORTH IN PORTLAND, ELIZABETH.
SO FOR 57 YEARS, 57 YEARS, HE WORKED DOWN THERE WITH HIS STRONG LEADERSHIP STRENGTH, GENEROUS SPIRIT, AND HIS SENSITIVITY TO OTHERS TO IMPROVE THE LIFE OF UNION WORKERS, THEIR FAMILIES IN THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE.
GERALD SERVED AS PRESIDENT OF I L A LOCAL 1233 FROM 1980 TO 1987, WHERE HE STEADILY GREW THE MEMBERSHIP AND INCREASED THE UNION'S PARTICIPATION IN SI CIVIL RIGHTS AND POLITICS, WHILE ALSO JOINING THE AFFILIATION WITH A F L C I O LABOR COUNCILS IN VARIOUS TRAINING SCHOOLS.
ONE OF HIS FIRST ACTS WAS TO ESTABLISH THE ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND.
AND THAT SCHOLARSHIP FUND IS STILL RUNNING TODAY, AND IT HAS BEEN RUNNING FOR 32 YEARS.
THAT SCHOLARSHIP FUND IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO DESERVING AND TALENTED COLLEGE BOUND STUDENTS.
IN 1984, JEROME ORGANIZING WAS ELECTED PRESIDENT OF LOCAL 2 0 4 9.
[00:35:01]
ALSO BECAME THE ATLANTIC COAST DISTRICT VICE PRESIDENT IN 1982, THE INTERNATIONAL VICE PRESIDENT IN 1989, AND THE ASSISTANT GENERAL ORGANIZER IN 1981.GENERAL HISTORY, AGAIN ON JULY 19TH, 2000, WHEN THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OF THE INTERNATIONAL LONG PROCUREMENT'S ASSOCIATION ELECTED HIM TO SERVE AS A UNION'S GENERAL ORGANIZER, MAKING HIM THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN AND A UNION'S HUNDRED AND 15 YEAR HISTORY TO SERVE IN THAT POSITION, HE WAS ELECTED TO SERVE HIS FIRST TERM AS A GENERAL ORGANIZER AT THE I L A'S 51ST CONVENTION IN JULY, 2003.
AND HE WAS REELECTED AGAIN TO THOSE POSITIONS IN 2007.
AND THEN IN 2011, HE ADDITIONALLY HELD POSITION AS THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE NEW JERSEY STATE, A F L C I O, AND THE S SIX WEST HUSTON LABOR COUNCIL, AND SERVED AS A TRUSTEE FOR BOTH THE LOCAL AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEES.
GERALD HAS SERVED A LIFELONG LEGACY WHERE HE'S ADVOCATED TO PEOPLE IN OTHER, UM, AREAS OF WOMEN'S RIGHTS, EDUCATION, AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE AND HEALTH BENEFITS.
AS CHAIRMAN OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS COMMITTEE, HE WORKED DILIGENTLY TO PROVOKE FAIR LABOR PRACTICES, FAIR WAGES IN JOB TRAINING AND SAFETY.
MR. OWENS ALSO SERVED AS ONE OF OUR COLLEAGUES AT THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BACK IN 2012, AND HE WAS ELECTED AGAIN IN 2013.
HE'S DEALT WITH US
HE'S STILL ADVOCATING AND WORKING TIRELESSLY FOR VARIOUS COMMUNITIES AND VARIOUS ISSUES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY OF S 60.
AFTER ALL HIS ACCOMPLISHED, HIS GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT IS HIS RIGHT FROM HIS FAMILY.
JACQUELINE HERE THIS EVENING AND INVITE YOU TO STATE FREE WORDS.
HELLO,
OH, UM, I WANNA SAY SHE GOT DRESSED AS LOVE
UM, I'M BLESSED TO BE ABLE TO DO THE THINGS I'VE DONE OVER THESE YEARS AND, UM, I'M STILL LOOKING FORWARD TO TRYING TO DO MORE THINGS THAT OUR, AS A WHOLE, NOT JUST, BUT ALL LABOR PEOPLE WHO, UM, LIKE MYSELF, WHEN I THINK ABOUT IT AS A YOUNG KID GROWING UP IN NEWARK, NEW JERSEY ON A STREET CALLED BECKFORD STREET.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU REMEMBER THAT STREET, BUT IT'S, IT, IT'S, IT, IT WAS IN A TOUGH NEIGHBORHOOD AND WE WERE FOR, BUT WE HAD A FATHER WHO WAS A LONG SHORE.
AND, UM, THAT'S HOW I GOT INVOLVED.
I ALSO HAVE A, A SON NOW WHO'S GRADUAT COLLEGE, GRADUATED AND, UH, WORKS FOR, UH, AMERICAN EXPRESSED IT ALL HISSELF, BUT HE FOUND THAT DOWN IN THE PORT HE COULD MAKE A LITTLE MORE MONEY
NOW I A GRANDDAUGHTER WHO GRADUATED FROM COLLEGE, SHE'S WORKING OUT REPORT ALSO
BUT ONE OF THE GREATEST THINGS THAT I THINK ARE LADY GOOD, I, I THINK, I THINK THAT, UM, WHAT I'VE ACCOMPLISHED HAS BEEN GOOD AND I'M STILL TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH MORE IN, IN, IN MY LIFE.
I'M TRYING TO, UH, BUILD A STATUE, A GROUND OFF TO BE AT PENN STATION.
AND I'VE GOT A FEW OTHER THINGS UNDER MY CAP.
I'M GONNA TRY TO ESTABLISH MY, MY DAYS HERE.
UH, AND I'M NOT EMBARRASSED BY THE FACT THAT, UH, MARCH THE 30TH, I WILL BE TALK ABOUT
[00:40:01]
JUST A MINUTE ABOUT BEING IN THIS PARTICULAR PLACE WITH THESE PEOPLE WHO HAVE TREATED ME SO WELL OVER THE MANY YEARS.UH, MY, I MEAN, UH, WE, WE, WE HAVE A GREAT RELATIONSHIP.
YOU AND HERE CAUSE WHO WE WERE ALWAYS CLOSE WITH I THESE SEATS OVER HERE AND ENJOYING MYSELF AND BEING JUST INVOLVED WITH THINGS.
SO, UM, I WANT, I'M NOT GONNA HOLD YOU, I JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT, UH, I'M BLESSED HAVE WHAT I HAVE, AND I'M BLESSED TO CONTINUE DOING WHAT I'M DOING AND THAT'S WHAT I WANNA DO.
IT'S ALL ABOUT, BUT THAT'S WHAT WE'RE SUPPOSED TO.
WE'RE SUPPOSED TO TAKE CARE OF US.
SO I WANNA TAKE ONE POINT OF, UH, PERSONAL PRIVILEGE THAT I ACKNOW WITH SOMEONE HERE IN HIS ROOM WHO, IF YOU LIKE BOXING, IF YOU WATCH BOXING, JESUS, YOU WILL SEE HIM AT EVERY BOXING EVENT LIVE OR ON TELEVISION.
KING IS THE NEW JERSEY BOXING COMMISSIONER, MR. LARRY.
MR. HARRIS HAS A, JUST FROM FOX SEE A LOT OF PEOPLE, WHICH YOU PROBABLY DON'T KNOW.
HE USED TO BE THE PRINCIPAL AT BROADWAY, JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL.
AND I USED TO LIVE ON DU AVENUE OR STREET AND I WAS THE DISTRICT LEAVE.
SO I USED TO GO DOWN TO HIS OFFICE AND WE USED TO CHIT CHAT.
HE USED TO HAVE ALL THIS BOXING, ALL THESE PICTURES OF ALL THESE PEOPLE WHO I REVERED IN, IN, IN THE FIGHT GAME ON HIS WALL.
BUT HE ALWAYS HAD AN OPEN DOOR POLICY.
AND, AND I COULD ALWAYS COME IN AND HAVE A CONVERSATION.
HE PROBABLY DOESN'T REMEMBER THAT.
BUT I'M THAT GUY WHO USED TO LITTLE SKINNY GUY WHO USED TO COME DOWN TO YOUR OFFICE WHEN YOU WERE THE PRINCIPAL.
I, UH, SO I'LL RETURN TO THE PODIUM, TO THE DISTINCT PLEASURE OF PRESENTED AN HONOR WHO HAS DEDICATED HER LIFE TO EDUCATIONAL, SOCIAL CHANGE THROUGH COMPREHENSIVE, SYSTEMATIC, CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE APPROACHES.
HOWEVER, SHE COULDN'T BE HERE TONIGHT.
BUT I DO HAVE A VERY, VERY CONFIDENT, BEAUTIFUL, SMART STANDING WHO HAPPENS TO BE MY WIFE.
SO LEMME JUST SHARE A FEW HIGHLIGHTS.
SO, UH, LAUREN WELLS, SHE'S A PHD, HAS BEEN AT THE FOREFRONT OF EDUCATIONAL POLICY AND TRANSFORMATION IN NEW JERSEY FOR MORE THAN 15 YEARS.
SHE'S AN EDUCATOR, RESEARCHER, AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZED
LAUREN WELLS IS BEST KNOWN IN NEW YORK FOR HAVING LED THE GLOBAL VILLAGE SONG CENTERED AT CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL.
IN ADDITION TO, UH, NUMEROUS UNIVERSITY AFFILIATIONS, DR.
WELLS SERVED AS THE FIRST CHIEF EDUCATION OFFICER FOR THE OFFICE OF MAYOR RENAY BARAKA FROM 2014 TO 2016.
AND SHE WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN ADVOCATING FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A COMMUNITY SCHOOL STRATEGY IN NEWARK.
[00:45:01]
UH, DR.LAUREN WELLS IS THE CEO OF CREED STRATEGIES AND EDUCATION CONSULTING TEAM, SERVING DISTRICT SCHOOLS, NONPROFITS, GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, PRIVATE ENTITIES, AND PHILANTHROPY.
CREED SPECIALIZES IN EDUCATION, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, COLLECTIVE IMPACT, STRATEGIC PLANNING, AND GRANT PREPARATION.
AND CREED WORKS WITH THEIR PARTNERS TO IDENTIFY AND DEVELOP SUSTAINABLE EQUITY DRIVEN STRATEGIES TO SYSTEMIC PROBLEMS. UH, LAUREN, UH, EVERYTHING TO BE PUBLISHED BOOK IS TITLED, THERE ARE NO DEFICITS HERE.
WHY CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE SUSTAINING EDUCATION MATTERS.
AND IT IS BEING PUBLISHED BY CORWIN PRESS.
WELLS, UH, IS CURRENTLY AND PLEASE HER FULL OHIO CAUSE IT, UH, SHE'S CURRENTLY AN EQUITY IN ACTION PRESIDENTIAL FELLOW AT KING UNIVERSITY AND IS ENTERING HER FOURTH TERM AS PRESIDENT OF THE NEWARK PUBLIC LIBRARY FOR, SO, UH, DR.
WELLS COULD NOT BE HERE THIS EVENING.
I'M GOING TO READ, UH, HER STATEMENT AS THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT, OBVIOUSLY IS FROM DR.
WELLS WHO IS UNDER THE WEATHER AND UNABLE TO BE WITH US THIS EVENING.
I SINCERELY APOLOGIZE FOR NOT BEING ABLE TO PRES TO BE PRESENT THIS EVENING TO ACCEPT THIS AWARD.
BUT AS WE ALL KNOW, IT'S BEST TO STAY HOME WHEN NOT.
WELL, WE AGREE WITH THAT ACTUALLY.
SO, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ESSEX COUNTY, UH, COMMISSIONERS AND PRESIDENT WAYNE RICHARDSON FOR SELECTIVE NEED FOR SUCH A DISTINCTIVE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.
WHEN I THINK OF EXCELLENCE, I THINK OF WHO BLACK PEOPLE ARE AS A PEOPLE AND THE PRIDE, DIGNITY, WISDOM, AND GENIUS WE HAVE EMBODIED THROUGHOUT HISTORY AND IN THIS COUNTRY.
FOR CENTURIES, I THINK OF EXCELLENCE, NOT IN TERMS OF WHAT WE MAY INDIVIDUALLY ATTAIN OR ACHIEVE, BUT AS THE ESSENCE OF WHAT WE DO.
IT IS THE CARPENTER CREATING BEAUTY IN THE MIDST OF THE EVILS OF A PLANTATION.
THE DOCTOR WHO SAVE BLACK WOMEN'S LIVES.
THE LAWYER WHO TACKLES LEGAL SEGREGATION, THE PRINCIPAL WHO PUTS BLACK CULTURE AT THE CENTER OF THEIR SCHOOL.
EXCELLENCE IS IN THE SPIRIT OF WHO WE ARE.
I WAS TAUGHT THAT EXCELLENCE IS NOT THE EXPERTISE YOU HAVE, BUT HOW YOU USE WHAT YOU HAVE TO AFFECT OUR PEOPLE.
I KNOW THAT THE JOY, I KNOW THE JOY OF LEARNING AND RECOGNIZE IT WHEN I SEE IT IN CLASSROOMS AND ON CHILDREN'S FACES.
TOO MANY BLACK CHILDREN HAVE THE JOY OF KNOWING AND EXPERIENCING THE POWER OF THEIR MINDS STOLEN FROM THEM.
I'M NOT AFRAID OR ASHAMED TO SAY THAT THIS MAKES ME AN ANGRY BLACK WOMAN.
MM-HMM
SO WE CAN BEGIN BY TALKING TO OUR STATE LEGISLATORS ABOUT ENFORCING THE AM GOD LEGISLATION.
SO THAT BLACK HISTORY IS A PART OF EVERY CHILD'S CURRICULUM, EVERY DAY IN EVERY GRADE LEVEL.
IT'S A SMALL ACT, BUT ONE THAT IF WE CAN DO IT HAS THE POWER TO TEACH THAT BLACK AND EXCELLENCE ARE ONE AND THE SAME.
WHEN I DECIDED TO GET A DOCTORATE AFTER TEACHING AND WORKING IN SCHOOLS THAT WERE IN NO WAY DESIGNED FOR BLACK CHILDREN TO EXPERIENCE THE FULLNESS OF THEIR POTENTIAL, I COMMITTED MYSELF TO USING MY DEGREES, MY RELATIONSHIPS, MY KNOWLEDGE, ALL OF THE CAPITAL THAT COMES WITH A PHD.
USING ALL OF THESE THINGS IN MY COMMUNITY AS AN ASPECT THAT MY COMMUNITY CAN DRAW ON IN THE UNENDING STRUGGLE TO CREATE SCHOOLS THAT FREE OUR CHILDREN'S MINDS RATHER THAN LIMIT THEM.
I AM COMMITTED TO BE A PART OF THE STRUGGLE TO STAY IN THE COMMUNITY, WORKING WITH SCHOOLS TO ADDRESS ISSUES THAT PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT, SUCH AS RACE AND EQUITY IN SCHOOLS.
I HAVE DEDICATED MY LIFE TO ATTEMPTING TO ENSURE THAT WE, THE COMMUNITY, THE EDUCATIONAL LEADERS, THE PARENTS AND CARETAKERS AND THE STUDENTS PRESS FORWARD TO A NEW LEVEL OF CONSCIOUSNESS, A NEW UNDERSTANDING OF BLACK EXCELLENCE AND HOW TO ACHIEVE IT.
WELLS, THANK YOU AGAIN TO THE ESSEX COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND OUR HEARTFELT
[00:50:01]
THANK YOU TO PRESIDENT WAYNE.I'M GONNA TAKE THIS ON BEHALF OF, I TAKE IT FROM, OH, I'M SORRY,
SEE, I CAN FOLLOW DIRECTIONS SOMETIME.
SO LET'S GIVE ALL ANOTHER ROUND APPLAUSE.
THANK YOU ALL FOR CONTRIBUTIONS.
YOU HAVE THE PEOPLE OF OUR COMMUNITY.
UH, AT THIS TIME I'D LIKE TO WELCOME THERESA THE VIOLIN BACK FOR ONE MORES PERFORMANCE TO FINISH OUR TRIBUTE TO THE STARS OF TONIGHT'S AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH CELEBRATION.
A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THIS BEFORE I DO IT.
AND DAD, I GREW UP IN MARYLAND.
UM, BUT I LIVE RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER RIGHT NOW.
I'VE LIVED THE NEWARK FOR 10 YEARS.
UM, I HAVE TWO BEAUTIFUL SONS, 28 AND SIX YEARS OLD, RESPECTIVELY, CUZ JESUS HASS
AND UM, AND YOU KNOW, THERE'S NOTHING QUITE AS BEAUTIFUL IN THE WORLD AS BLACK BOY JOY.
BUT AS THE MOTHER OF TWO BLACK SONS, THERE'S NOTHING QUITE AS TERRIFYING.
AND SO, UM, I APPRECIATE WHAT THE PASTOR SAID ABOUT SERVANT LEADERS IN THIS ROOM, CUZ YOU ALL ARE SERVANT LEADERS AND YOU KNOW, THE WEIGHT OF THIS WORK CAN BE OVERWHELMING SOMETIMES, BUT WE CHOOSE TO HAVE HOPE.
AND SO I WROTE THIS ARRANGEMENT, THIS JAZZ ARRANGEMENT OF, UM, WE SHALL OVERCOME FOR MY TWO SONS.
AND IN THE SPIRIT OF CONTINUING TO HAVE HOPE.
[00:55:48]
I NOT AFRAID.HEY, THE PROGRAM, YOU CAN'T FOLLOW UP.
RIGHT? I DUNNO WHO BOOKED YOU WILL BE BACK.
YOU'LL SO AS WE CONCLUDE OUR PROGRAM, I WANT TO THANK EACH OF YOU FOR COMING OUT TONIGHT TO CELEBRATE OUR HONORS.
WE HOPE THIS EVENT EVERY YEAR AND EACH YEAR I FEEL MORE GRATEFUL, PROUD, AND IN ALL OF THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN ENRICHED ALL OF OUR LIVES WITH SUCH PASSION AND DETERMINATION.
WE ARE SO FORTUNATE TO HAVE THEM AMONG US, TO OUR HONOREES.
ALL OF YOUR EFFORTS HAVE MADE EACH ONE OF OUR, WITH EACH ONE OF YOU LEADERS HEARING
[01:00:01]
YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENT HAS INSPIRED EACH OF US TO DO MORE AND BE BETTER CITIZENS.WE KNOW CAUSE OF YOU, OUR COMMUNITIES ARE ALL THE BETTER.
SO NOW ON BEHALF OF THE ENTIRE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN US IN THE BLONIE WATSON CONFERENCE ROOM TO GREET THE HONOR AND ENJOY LIGHT REFRESHERS.
WE DON'T HAVE NO FOOD, WE DON'T HAVE
WE ALSO ASKED ALL OUR HONOR REMAIN IN CHAMBERS AFTER THE CLOSING PRAYER TO TAKE SOME PICTURES.
AGAIN, I THANK EACH OF YOU FOR YOUR PRESENCE AND AT THIS TIME I WILL ASK MINISTER BRANSON TO BRING IN THE CLOSING PRAYER AND TO BLESS THE FOOD RECEIVING SO WE CAN WHAT A GREAT COUNTRY TO BE IN.
WHAT A GREAT STATE TO LIVE IN.
WHAT A GREAT COUNTY TO BE A PART OF.
YOU, YOU, YOU CAN'T TRULY TELL AMERICAN HISTORY WITHOUT BLACK HISTORY.
THEY'RE WOVEN TOGETHER IN SUCH A FASHION THAT IS INTRICATE.
BUT YOU CAN'T TALK ABOUT HARRIET WITHOUT MENTIONING HIM.
YOU CAN'T TALK ABOUT BARACK AND FORGET ABOUT BRIAN.
AND SO TO ECHO THE SENTIMENTS THAT WE'RE ALREADY SHARED, WE STILL HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO.
BUT WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR THE LEADERSHIP.
WE'RE THANKFUL FOR THE SACRIFICE OF ALL OF THOSE WHO ARE ASSEMBLED, ALL OF THOSE WHO ARE WATCHING.
AND WE JUST WANT TO CLOSE OUT WITH THE PRAYER THAT WOULD CONTINUE US IN OUR WORK FORWARD.
YES, OUR LORD AND OUR GOD IS ONCE AND AGAIN THAT WE'VE ASSEMBLED BY YOUR GRACE AND THE SPIRIT OF YOUR LOVE.
WE THANK YOU GOD FOR OUR ANCESTORS, FOR THEIR COURAGE, FOR THEIR SACRIFICE, FOR THEIR SELFLESSNESS.
WE THANK YOU FOR SO MANY COUNTLESS TRAILBLAZERS WHO MAKE THIS MOMENT SPECIAL.
WE CHERISH BLACK HISTORY MONTH AND ALL THE WORK THAT'S BEEN ACCOMPLISHED AND ALL THE WORK THAT'S YET BE DONE.
WE ASK RIGHT NOW, HEAVEN, WE FATHER, IT IS MY PRAYER THAT YOU WOULD POSITION US FOR THE GREATEST IMPACT.
IT IS MY PRAYER THAT YOU WOULD EMPOWER US, THAT WE MIGHT USE THE GIFTS THAT YOU HAVE GIVEN US FOR THE FULLNESS OF THE TIME THAT WE HAVE AND FOR YOUR GLORY BE THANK YOU.
AND WE ASK EVEN RIGHT NOW THAT YOU WILL CONTINUE TO LET US USE THOSE GIFTS FOR THE TIME THAT WE HAVE AND THE BREATH THAT WE HAVE AVAILABLE FOR THE USEFULNESS AND THE PROFITABLE MOVEMENT OF OUR COMMUNITY.
WE PRAY RIGHT NOW THAT WE DON'T GROW WEARY AND WELL DOING, BUT WE ARE MINDFUL THAT WE WILL IN FACT BE THE HARVEST IF WE FAINT NOT.
SO WE THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN FOR THIS OCCASION AND WE THANK YOU VERY EVERYBODY WHO'S ASSEMBLED IN THIS ROOM.
WE ASK EVEN RIGHT NOW THAT YOU WERE BLESSED THE FOOD THAT'S BEEN PROVIDED.
BLESS THE FELLOWSHIP AS WE, AS IT IS SHARED.
AND WE PRAY THAT WE WOULD ALL FIND OUR WAY BACK HOME TO OUR RESPECTIVE DESTINATIONS AND FIND THEM WELL AS THEY WERE LEFT.
AND WE'LL BE CAREFUL TO GIVE YOUR NAME, PRAISE, HONOR AND GLORY THAT IS IN YOUR NAME, THAT WE PRAY AND GIVE THANKS AND THE CHILDREN OF GOD SAY AMEN.
SO ALL, ALL THE HONOREES, PLEASE COME UP.
WE'RE GOING TO TAKE SOME PHOTOS, UH, WITH THE COMMISSIONERS AND THEN THE HARDWARE.
[01:05:04]
YOU KNOW.