NAACP and ‘Essex 5’ members honored
As part of the Essex County's 16th annual African-American History Month Celebration, Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. presented the Essex County Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Leadership Awards to the NAACP Chapters in Essex County — Oranges-Maplewood, Newark, Montclair and Irvington — and the Urban League of Essex County. Known as the ‘Essex Five,’ these organizations have a legacy of supporting civil rights, equality and justice, advocating on behalf of our residents and working cooperatively to promote education, housing and opportunity for all people. Congratulations were given to Montclair NAACP Branch President Albert Pelham, Newark NAACP Branch President Deborah Smith-Gregory, Urban League of Essex County Executive Director Vivian Cox Fraser, Oranges- Maplewood NAACP Branch President Thomas Puryear and Irvington NAACP Branch President Thurman Dancy.
