MAAHF Awarded Local Leaders at 2018 Honoree Luncheon
MONTCLAIR, NJ – The Montclair African-American Heritage Foundation hosted the 2018 Honoree Luncheon on Sunday, April 29th, as one of several upcoming events leading up to the 29th Annual Montclair African-American Heritage festival and parade held on June 2 at Nishuane Park in Montclair.
The theme for this year is: Nia (purpose) “to make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.”
The luncheon was held at Flowerland in West Caldwell. The Grand Marshals, Ambassadors and other family and friends were treated to an elegantly laid buffet prepared by Sandwiches Unlimited.
The Grand Marshals include: Montclair Child Development Center, Inc. and Montclair Grassroots.
Founded in 1965, MCDC services children and families in the Essex County area with locations in Montclair, Glenridge and Orange. Under the leadership of Executive Director Tanya Poteat, MCDC receives over 6.5 Million annually along with donations and grants.
Montclair Grass Roots, which celebrates 50 years of providing summer camp activities for children since 1968, was founded by Wallace and Celine Choice. The program started with 35 children servicing up to 800 young people in one summer ages 3 to 16. To date, the program has serviced more than 15,000 campers and has provided job opportunities for over 1200 counselors.
Celine Choice commented on the longevity of the program saying,
We would like to thank all of the parents , campers , counselors and supporters of Montclair Grass Roots for their participation and confidence in our program . We will do everything possible to continue earning your trust in providing a safe , well supervised and enjoyable exciting summer experience for you and your children “
Ambassadors for this years honorees include:
Adele clark Katz , Founder of Sister to Sister Mentoring program , S.O.F.A and co founder
of Brother to Brother.
Detective Km L.Nelson, member Montclair Police Department since 1995 Juvenile Detective Aid Bureau, Montclair High school , recording Secretary for the National organization of Black law Enforcement Executives
Dr. F .Dein Rice ( posthumously ) physician Educator Humanitarian for 30 plus years of sevice to patients , students and interns .
” im leaving now ” ” going to save some lives”
Dr. F.Dein Rice .
Charles R.Williams , Sr former director of MNDC, co founder of Project Oasis , coach .
Jr. Ambassador Adarian Sneed , graduating senior of Montclair High school with GPA 4.6 and in the fall will be attending Wake Forrest University majoring un buusness and theater.
” as a Jr. Ambassador i know that we depend on one another for more than others may imagine . Im excited about my generation and looking forward to building on and contributing to the rich legacy that those before us toiled to achieve ”
Mcing the afternoons event co host Cathy Stephenson and Edward Nicholas introduced co chairs, Bonnie Taylor and Albert Pelham who welcomed the attendees and guest
” as co-chairs, we are blessed once again to lead this team we have no paid staff and all commitee members are volunteers to make sure that a vision started 29 years ago continues to grow bigger and better every year . Please enjoy tge festivites as we take the opportunity to honor our honor our grand Marshals and Ambassadors “
On hand to give a few words in honour of the recipients Mayor Robert Jackson and 4th ward Councilwoman Dr Renee Baskerville both echoing to community service of each recipient and recognizing Maahf in putting together the luncheon moving towards the date of the festival .
Thanking Mayor Jackson and Dr. Baskerville a short video was shown showing how the process of selecting Grand Marshals and Ambassadors starting in 1995 with 2 to multiple community representatives as refrenced during the showing of the video.
Following the video the honorees were called one by one to recieve their recognituon plagues and proclamation provided by the NewJersey Legislation and presented by Assemblywoman Britnee Timberlake containing all the where as and where for honouring the recipients. Upon reciept of plaques a photo was raken and each recipient given the opportunity to share a few words.
Certificates of Recognition were presented to Corey Scott Anderson by Toi Blount for his community service and to Andrea Brown Ward by the Scholarship committee of Maahf for continued support towards the Maahf scholarship fund .
The afternoon closed out with the serving of dessert, a sheet cake commemorating the honorees and dancing .
For information for the Montclair African-American Heritage Foundation go to