EAST ORANGE, NJ — East Orange Hall of Fame Committee members, including Essex County Prosecutor Ted Stephens, were scheduled to host a press conference on Wednesday, Oct. 10, announcing the induction of the second class Saturday, Nov. 24.
Last year, at its inaugural ceremony, the Hall of Fame inducted the following East Orange natives: actor John Amos, rap group Naughty By Nature, singers Whitney Houston and Dionne Warwick, rapper Dana “Queen Latifah” Owens, Dr. Zain Abdullah, Kathy Baker, Linda Baker, Toya Beasley, Paulette Bigelow, Clyde Bradshaw, Mike Brown, Brigadier Gen. Richard Cardillo, Judge Robert Carter, Michael Dabney, Robert Davenport, Gale Fitzgerald, Mayor William S. Hart, Fred Hill, John Hooper, Gary Garland Houston, David “Chip” Humphrey, Greg James, Baruti Kafele, Dr. James Oliver, Scott Patterson, Jerome Pierce, Col. Clyde Richards, Glenn F. Scotland, Fidelia Sturdivant, Norman Tate, Al Volpe, Janice Walker, Darryl White and the Rev. Russell White.
“A gala induction ceremony and celebration will be on Thanksgiving weekend, Saturday, Nov. 24, at 6 p.m. at the Cicely Tyson School and Performing Arts Center,” said Stephens, the chairman of the East Orange Hall of Fame Organizing Committee, on Sunday, Oct. 7. “This is a milestone occasion, to pay tribute to the pioneering legacy of innovation and achievement that is deeply embedded in our cultural heritage in the great city of East Orange. Proceeds from the event will benefit youth development and cultural enrichment programs.”
Stephens said the Hall of Fame’s second induction ceremony and celebration would build on the foundation that the inaugural event laid last year.
“The establishment of the East Orange Hall of Fame provides a portal and lens through which we can share an authentic and compelling narrative to ‘tell it like it is’ about our ‘grand and glorious’ past, including the people, places and institutions that have placed our community at the forefront of national and global recognition, while serving to inspire greater achievements among future generations,” Stephens said. “The event will celebrate the extraordinary achievements and contributions of 38 distinguished individuals representing the following five categories: arts and letters; performing arts; enterprise; civic and community service; and sports.
“Nobel Prize winner Richard Thaler and N.J. Lt. Gov. Sheila Y. Oliver will be among a virtual ‘A list’ of luminaries in the second class of inductees — actress Naturi Naughton and entertainer Janis Ian will be honored, while singer/disco era diva Gwen Guthrie and Wimbledon champion Althea Gibson will be honored posthumously. Distinguished EOHS alumnus Tom Finch, Class of 1970, will serve as emcee.”
Stephens said he expects the ceremony and celebration to be as historic as last year’s event.
“Our inaugural gala last year was a resounding success and I anticipate this year’s celebration will surpass all expectations,” Stephens said. “I’m calling upon all of the loyal and faithful East Orange natives who hold near and dear the community of our origin. I encourage everyone to reserve their seat on Thanksgiving weekend for this hallmark occasion. It’s an event surely not to be missed.”
Tickets are charged for the East Orange Hall of Fame induction ceremony. For more information, email submit@eohof.org or contact Darryl L. Jeffries at 973-449-4836.
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