NEWARK, NJ — Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. dedicated three bronze plaques to the memories of Balozi Harvey from South Orange, Dr. Leon Smith from Essex Fells and Lawrence “Lonnie” Wright from South Orange on Wednesday, Sept. 20. Harvey had been director of the Essex County Office of Cultural Diversity and Affirmative Action & the Essex County Economic Development Corporation; Smith was an infectious disease specialist; and Wright was a two-sport professional athlete and director of minority and underrepresented student recruitment at UMDNJ. The plaques are located along Essex County Legends Way at the county’s government complex in Newark.
“Balozi Harvey, Dr. Leon Smith and Lonnie Wright followed very different paths, but they each impacted the lives of many and made Essex County a better place. They are deserving of being remembered as Essex County legends, and having their names at our government complex will remind people of their contributions,” DiVincenzo said in a press release. “Balozi was a community activist who joined my administration to promote diversity and economic development. Dr. Smith dedicated his life to treating the sick and researching some of the most deadly diseases our society faces. Lonnie Wright was one of the greatest athletes in New Jersey history who also changed the face of medicine by recruiting minorities to become doctors and nurses.”
According to the plaque honoring his life, Harvey dedicated his life to building cultural bridges; promoting economic, trade and political development of pan-African diaspora communities; and forging relations between people of all nationalities and races, at home and abroad. Harvey served in the U.S. Air Force after school and then attended the United Nations Language School, learning Swahili, Mandarin Chinese, Arabic and Zulu; he also studied with spiritual leaders from several faiths. From 2003 to 2007, he served as director of the Essex County Office of Cultural Diversity and Affirmative Action and executive director of the county’s Economic Development Corp. Harvey died Dec. 28, 2016.
“Balozi was a proud husband, father, grandfather and friend. A man full of spirit, dedication and selflessness. Balozi fought for freedom, equality and justice for the community and the diaspora. During his lifetime, he acted upon his heart and spirit and not for the appreciation he received, but for the love of his people,” Judge Karimu F. Hill-Harvey, Harvey’s wife, said. “Fate was kind to Balozi at the end of his life. He was blessed because he believed in Allah/God. Fate has been kind to me as well because Balozi was the best thing that ever happened to me. In remembrance of him let’s all raise our arms and fists and do seven harambees, which represents us all pulling/working together.”
Wright was one of New Jersey’s finest student-athletes, who excelled in every sport he played. At South Side High School in Newark, he earned all-city, county, state and all-American honors in both football and basketball. At Colorado State University, he set the shot put record at 52 feet, 9 inches, and scored 1,246 points on the basketball team. Despite not playing football in college, he was drafted by the Denver Broncos in 1966, playing for two seasons. In 1967, after football season ended, he played basketball with the Denver Rockets of the ABA, becoming the first modern-day athlete to play two professional sports in one season. In addition to his athletic prowess, Wright served as director of minority and underrepresented student recruitment for UMDNJ. For 36 years, he was a mentor, role model and father figure to the thousands of young men and women he brought to Newark to matriculate at the largest health science college in America. The bronze plaque for Wright begins with a quote from his wife, Johanna Wright, which reads: “It didn’t matter who you were, Lonnie found a way to connect to you — that was his gift.” He died March 23, 2012.
“I am humbled to accept such a prestigious recognition in my husband’s honor. Thank you, County Executive DiVincenzo, for commemorating this athlete and honoring this man,” Joanna Wright said. “This has moved me to tears because this honor is one at home. This really means a lot to our family.”
Photos Courtesy of Glen Frieson
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