WOODRIDGE, N.J.—Two Englewood residents were recently honored at Keeping the Dream Alive, a star studded gala that annually pays tribute to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s historic advocacy for equality.
Among the honorees were Englewood residents Aleta Frezzell and Bergen County Sheriff Anthony Cureton. The event, held at the Fiesta in Woodridge, featured the presentation of 18 outstanding community leaders awards by the National Action Network NJ and JumpStart Foundation.
“We are honoring the icons and legends, entrepreneurs, executives, and clergy who have been keeping the dream alive,” said JumpStart Foundation Founder Jamie Bland.
The event’s theme was “Save our Children” and it was attended by over 250 people.
JumpStart’s list of honorees was a “Who’s Who” of notables from several towns in Bergen, Morris, Passaic and Essex counties. There was also a “retirement cake” for Rev. Gregory Jackson, formerly the pastor of Mt. Olive Church in Hackensack.
The honorees from Englewood—Frezzell and Cureton—both have a long list of impressive credentials.
Frezzell was the first African American woman executive assistant governor of Rotary District 7490 (encompassing Bergen, Essex and Passaic counties), and served under two Englewood mayors on the city’s Environmental Commission. She is currently a board member of the Woman’s Club of Englewood and the sergeant at arms for the Englewood Democratic Club.
Cureton, a law enforcement professional who served over 25 years on the Englewood Police Department, was the former president of the NAACP Bergen County and recipient of the NJ NAACP State Conference Outstanding President of the Year Award. He has served on numerous boards including the Calvary Care Afterschool Program, CarePlus NJ, and the Bergen County African American Advisory Board.
The gala had numerous special guests, including former Gov. Jim McGreevey, State Democratic Chair John Currie, Paterson Councilwoman At Large Rev. Dr. Lilisa Mimms, Paterson Councilwoman Ruby Cotton, state Assemblyman Gordon Johnson, and Englewood Councilmen Charles Cobb and Wayne Hamer.
Director of JumpStart Jeanette Thompson, and NAN North East Region Director Rev. Steffie Bartley were also on hand to mingle with guests.
In 2015, the National Action Network Paterson, New Jersey Chapter adopted the JumpStart Community Training Youth Program. Its mission is to educate youth and empower the community. JumpStart, founded in 2000, is a nonprofit that uses mentoring, counseling, arts and life skills training and summer recreation programs to break barriers through character development. Since 2002, they have serviced 13,978 youngsters throughout the tri-state area.
The Jan. 27 gala began at 7 p.m. with a red carpet, on which the honorees gave televised interviews with Andrea Holmes Thompkins, CEO and founder of ACE Media in N.Y. They also talked with Mama Jones, who has a popular television Reality show.
Soon, as guests made their way back from the dinner buffet, Bland gave a rousing welcome.
“The National Action Network, works in the spirit and tradition of Martin Luther King,” she said. “And as such, it is a leading civil rights organization.”
She recalled the organization’s founding in New York City in 1991 by Rev. Al Sharpton.
Bland then recognized over two dozen of the evening’s distinguished guests from many organizations.
A prayer was given by Rev. Bartley, followed by an impassioned speech by McGreevey, praising all of the wonderful programs that JumpStart Foundation has.
As people enjoyed dinner and networking, a group of young JumpStart dancers gave a beautiful acrobatic performance.
The awards portion of the gala was spectacular. The honorees all received a 35th District State and Legislative Assembly Keeping the Dream Alive award citation from Ruby Cotton, Paterson 4th Ward councilwoman.
In addition, Councilman Wayne Hamer presented a proclamation to Frezzell from Englewood Mayor Michael Wildes and state Assemblyman Johnson presented her and Cureton with State Assembly proclamations signed by him, state Sen. Loretta Weinberg and state Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle (37th District).
Frezzell, who was the first honoree called to the stage, was also crowned with a tiara and given a bouquet as queen of all the great work she has done in Englewood and throughout Bergen County.
After they received their awards, the honorees strolled down a runway clad in furs brought in by noted furrier Antonovitch. There was fun and funky drama as some of the male honorees strutted and posed.
Following the award presentations, the host for the entertainment portion of the evening was CP Lacey, a celebrity at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, and there were dazzling performances by the Sylistics, Dona Lee & Corey of Sugar Hill Records.