Honorees 2013
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Officer Kim L. Nelson-Edwards
Officer Kim L. Nelson-Edwards has been with the Montclair Police Department since 1995. She was first hired as a Parking Enforcement Officer, and in 1997 was hired as a patrolwoman. Officer Nelson-Edwards has been assigned to the Community Policing Bureau, was a Field Training Officer and was the only female assigned to the Motorcycle Unit. Officer Nelson-Edwards has been assigned to the Juvenile Detective Aid Bureau as a School Resource Officer at Montclair High School since 2001. She is well respected at the High School by the staff, administration and student body. She has been a tremendous asset to the school, working closely with the students insuring that they have a safe environment in which to learn. In 2007 Officer Nelson-Edwards was diagnosed with stage II breast cancer. She had a mastectomy and went through several rounds of chemotherapy. Officer Nelson-Edwards knew the day she was told she had breast cancer; she would do something to be a part of helping other women going through the same journey. Officer Nelson-Edwards became the advisor for the Breast Cancer Awareness Club at Montclair High School. And every year she has a group of kids who raise money and awareness about the importance of breast health. Officer Nelson Edwards is a Reach to Recovery Advocate for The American Cancer Society, and she is a strong supporter of the Susan Komen Foundation with the support of a Montclair Police and MHS Team. “Kim’s Breast Friends” is a non –profit organization she started to support women through their journey while fighting Breast Cancer. Officer Nelson -Edwards attended Norfolk State University, and is currently attending Caldwell College majoring in Criminal Justice. Officer Nelson-Edwards is married with two daughters and one grandson. |
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Jason Green
Jason Green began his career in Education with the Orange Board of Education, where he was a Teacher in Physical Education and Assistant Coach for a variety of sports. He then went on and taught Physical Education at the Newark Board of Education. In 2009, he returned to Orange High School where he was the Athletic Director and later, Vice Principal. Today, he is currently the Athletic Director of Hackensack High School. He holds his MS in Sports Science – Physical Education from Hofstra University and his MS in Educational Leadership, Administration and Policy from Fordham University. During his time at Orange High School, Mr. Green became affiliated with the American Cancer Society. He incorporated fundraisers at many of the high school’s sporting events. He puts special emphasis during the month of October for Breast Cancer Awareness. This cause is very important to him as one of his former teacher and aunt are currently both battling breast cancer. Unfortunately, he has lost 3 of those very close to him with cancer. He initiated the high school’s annual “Pink Out” football game in support of BCA, which proved successful by collecting over $12,000 over the past 3 years in donations. Students, faculty, and the community sported tshirts that read “Pink is the new Orange” at the game. The Orange High School football team players were the first in New Jerseys to wear pink jerseys. His goal is to continue creating student, faculty, and community involvement to continue building awareness for this important cause. |
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Carl Lionel Williamson Sr.
Carl Lionel Williamson Sr. was as a caring and giving man. He was a wonderful father and grandfather to his three children Carl Jr., Gwen and Jeff and to his grandson, Aaron. Carl Sr. was the owner of Carl’s Club Vanity on 16th Avenue in Newark, NJ. for some 25 years. His place of business was known around the area as the place to go for something good to eat, good music and a good cold glass of “spirits”. It was a place where every hard working person of the community could go and take a break from the hustle and bustle of their hectic, everyday life. He provided the community with a safe, comfortable place to meet, eat and drink. He became a mentor, father figure and a spiritual friend to many. Carl passed away suddenly on February 26, 2013. The outpouring of condolences from the community was incredible. This man touched many lives and was loved by most. Some people he may have only met once and others kept on coming back because Carl made people feel like a friend not just a customer. He was a man of honor, loyalty and great character. He made everyone feel special in his very own way. |
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Mayor Dwayne D. Warren
Mayor Dwayne D. Warren was elected to the office of Mayor of the Township of Orange, New Jersey, on May 8, 2012. He is a valuable resource to Orange senior citizens, families and young people. He is an advocate for seniors seeking benefits and services ranging from housing and homeowner assistance to health care access. For college students, Warren serves as an internship site supervisor for those seeking a career in the legal field. His family used its own resources to start the Warren Foundation, a youth development organization that mentors high school students seeking higher education. Additionally, Mayor Warren is a volunteer assistant coach to the Orange recreation football team where one of his duties includes assuring that the players achieve academically. Mayor Warren received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and his Juris Doctor Degree from Rutgers University School of Law, Newark, NJ. |
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REP. DONALD M. PAYNE, JR.
As a Newark native, Rep. Donald M. Payne, Jr., has worked as a tireless advocate for New Jersey’s working families for over two decades, fighting to create jobs, increase health and economic security, and invest in education. Rep. Payne, Jr. was first elected to Congress in November 2012 in both a special election and general election following the untimely death of his father, respected former Rep. Donald M. Payne, Sr., who represented New Jersey’s 10th Congressional District for 23 years. Rep. Payne, Jr. thus served out the remainder of his father’s term in the 112th Congress. Rep. Payne, Jr. sits on the Committee on Homeland Security, where he is Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications as well as a member of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Management Efficiency. He also sits on the Committee on Small Business. Prior to Congress, Rep. Payne, Jr. served as Newark Municipal Council President and Essex County Freeholder-at-Large |
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Lenora Adams-Alston
I grew up in Newark, educated in New Jersey and worked in the healthcare field for 27 years. However, God gave me a second chance at life starting in 2011. February 2011 I had a quadruple heart bypass, diabetic neuropathy (unable to walk) extreme nerve damage on my left arm & hand (unable to use) and physical therapy for 2 years. 2012 I started dialysis for my kidneys (3 times a wk) and was diagnosed with breast cancer for which I had a mastectomy. Currently I am a 1 year breast cancer survivor. My message to you is take care of yourselves. We know our bodies so please do yourself a big favor and pay attention to the signs. If you are not feeling well or something appears on your body and you know it wasn’t there before, seek medical attention. Denial will only hurt you because it’s not going away. Be good to yourselves because you are all important. “God is good all the time” |
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Su Stewart
Su Stewart, Founder and CEO of SuSu Productions is a true fireball! For nearly 20 years she has worked with institutions of the entertainment industry including New York’s Apollo Theater and Central Park Summer Stage, as well as government officials, award winning directors, celebrities, clergy and owners of grass root companies. Says Stewart, “I get excited about starting pre-production from ground zero and taking an event to a grand finale!” It is her professionalism and infectious spirit that has garnered her immense respect in such broad circles and enabled her to spearhead several project firsts including Newark Renaissance Music Festival, Hip Hop Political Convention and the Lincoln Park Music Festival. The latter just celebrated its seventh year, becoming a summer destination for attendees who travel to Newark, NJ from as far away as Japan. Among her vast accomplishments, Su takes the most pride in having established a global presence, producing diverse events spanning from New York City to Paris, France. From production manager to producer, this woman has a passion to make dreams come true and loves being in the reality. In July, she was invited to create a live gospel recording at the International Aids Conference in Washington, DC; the first time music has ever been integrated into the program. To make this an even grander opportunity, it has been 12 years since the conference was held in the United States. Su Stewart founded the non-profit organization YOPAT (Youth Outreach for the Performing Arts and Technology). It is through this dynamic program that she hones the talents of young up and coming performers. Stand Up The Movement was also founded by Ms. Stewart, it is a national initiative focusing on fostering awareness and change within social justice issues impacting youth universally. Stand Up!…aims to empower, inspire and energize not only young men and women but also serves as a support to other organizations and causes defending human rights and social justice. She loves the LGBT community and as a Minister in Training, she is moved to inherently convey the message of love, opportunities and compassion in all of her encounters, transcending the boundaries of church walls and reaching people where she finds them. |
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Roslyn Y. Rogers Collins
Roslyn Y. Rogers Collins is President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan New Jersey (PPMNJ) in Newark. In this role, she has oversight of six centers in Essex and Passaic Counties including Downtown Newark, East Orange, Paterson, Ironbound Newark, Montclair and Pompton Lakes. These centers serve nearly 20,000 men, women, and adolescents and the education department, called the Family Life Institute, presents workshops to almost 9,000 individuals. A strong advocate for reproductive justice and equity in the provision of quality health care, Ms. Rogers Collins has had a distinguished and progressive career that spans more than 30 years. Passionate about the needs of families, Roslyn’s dedication to health options for the poor and for low-income women in particular stems from the fact that in many instances Planned Parenthood centers may be the only provider that these individuals are able to see. Roslyn’s affiliation with health care and reproductive justice started during a high school summer internship at a Planned Parenthood affiliate then located in Jersey City. Years later, her professional career began at Horizons Family Planning Clinic in Jersey City where she became a Health Educator immediately after completing her undergraduate studies in1979. This position fostered in her a true commitment to advocacy, social concerns, issues regarding choice, and family and women’s health. She went on to increasingly responsible positions. As Associate Director of the YWCA of Hudson County (Jersey City), she supervised staff in Family Advocacy, Battered Women’s Programs, and out-of-home placements for young people at risk. Her programs resulted in significant funding increases, which in turn led to program expansion. In 1989, she joined Passaic County Committee for Planned Parenthood (PCCPP) as a Program Director for Alternative Care for Adolescents and subsequently for the Teen Mothers Career Start Program. She eventually became the Associate Executive Director of that organization. In 1995, PCCPP joined forces with Planned Parenthood of Essex County and became Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan New Jersey. Roslyn was elevated to the position of Chief Operating Officer with responsibility for Human Resources and Administration in 2005. During the coming years, PPMNJ experienced severe financial hardships brought on by drastic funding cuts and a number of key staff changes. Roslyn developed a turn-around plan that resulted in returning PPMNJ to an affiliate In good standing. As a result of her fiscal stewardship and leadership during these trying times, Roslyn was named President and CEO in 2011 after serving one year in an interim capacity. A life-long resident of the Jersey City/Newark, NJ area, Roslyn holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Work from Seton Hall University and a Master of Science Degree in Health Administration from New Jersey City University. An expert on the topic of human sexuality, she has taught courses for more than 17 years at Essex County College, William Paterson and Kean Universities. She is a Leadership Newark fellow with many professional affiliations and currently serves on the Board of Directors for New Jersey Women and AIDS Network, the Planned Parenthood Action Fund of New Jersey and the New Jersey Family Planning Association. As for personal passions, Roslyn is a graphic designer, prolific writer and poet. She has travelled extensively with her husband Marc Collins, throughout the United States, Mexico and the Caribbean. |
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Dee Dee Ricks
Dee Dee Ricks is an entrepreneur, public health advocate, and expert on patient navigation. She is the founder of RICKS Consulting Jr Group, Inc., which serves and advises hedge funds on talent acquisition that maximizes portfolio optimization. Dee Dee began the company 20 years ago at the age of 24. She is now a sought after inspirational speaker on mending the gap in access to quality healthcare, patient navigation, and entrepreneurship. Since diagnosis with breast cancer and the debut of her HBO documentary, The Education of Dee Dee Ricks, Dee Dee has given over 100 keynote addresses to Fortune 50 companies, foundations, and non-profit organizations, both domestically and internationally. The Education of Dee Dee Ricks documents Dee Dee’s journey from diagnosis to survivorship and the many challenges and hardships she endured along the way, including learning about low health literacy in underserved communities; becoming deeply passionate to end injustice in healthcare accessibility; and the drive to make Patient Navigation a household name. Dee Dee views health as a human right and has committed her life to making people aware of the healthcare resources to which they are entitled. She often says that cancer is the worst and the best thing that ever happened to her. It was cancer that allowed her to develop a relationship with long-time advocacy partner, Dr. Harold P. Freeman. Together with Dr. Freeman, Dee Dee founded the Harold P. Freeman Patient Navigation Institute (PNI). PNI supports patient navigation training and aims to provide information about chronic disease prevention and eliminate barriers to timely diagnosis, prevention and care. As Board Chair, Dee Dee has successfully lobbied Congress to reenact the Patient Navigation Act as part of sweeping health care reform policy. She is a champion, alongside Dr. Freeman, of Congressman Israel’s Patient Navigation Assistance Act of 2012. With Dee Dee’s help, Rep. Israel Co- Chair of the House Cancer Caucas has been working on legislation to address the problem of cancer navigation assistance for Medicaid recipients. The Education of Dee Dee Ricks was screened for House members the eve of the airing on HBO. Dee Dee is also a philanthropist, supporting various organizations in their efforts to serve marginalized communities and to mend the gap in access to quality healthcare. Dee Dee is active with a number of charitable and service-providing organizations, including Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Livestrong, Robin Hood Foundation, the Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Care and Prevention, the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute at the University of Arkansas Medical Center, and Harvard University’s Global Task force on Expanded Access to Cancer Care & Control In Developing Countries. Dee Dee is a Breast Reconstruction Awareness Ambassador for BRA Day USA, an initiative designed to promote education, awareness and access regarding post- mastectomy breast needs. According to the United States Department of Labor, women make over 80% of health care decisions for their families and are more likely to be the caregivers when a family member falls ill. Dee Dee’s new campaign to empower Americans toward their right to quality healthcare and the need for Patient Navigation, America’s Navigator, urges all Americans to ask their insurance companies “Who is my Navigator?” in order to receive the best solutions for their families. Dee Dee believes, “You cannot win the battle for your life when you don‘t have the ammunition required to beat it. Insurance companies must be held responsible for providing patient navigators. If people speak up, someone will listen.” |