West Orange Carries On Dr. King's Legacy

Forty-nine years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. shared his dream for a future of racial equality at the March on Washington.

On Saturday, the West Orange Human Relations Commission celebrated King's work and honored members of the community who embrace his message.

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration is an annual event held by human relations commission, and this year more than 100 residents attended. The afternoon, dedicated to bringing recognition to King, included lunch, jazz and dance performances, an address from Mayor Robert Parisi, one of the keynote speakers.

The four honorees were Mr. Courtney Allen, a 14-year West Orange resident and teacher at Newton Street School in Newark; Raquel Feliciano, the ESL teacher at West Orange High School; Rev. Zach Guyton, the pastor at Bethany Church in West Orange; and Mr. Hayden Moore, an Assistant Principal at West Orange High School. The commission selected honorees that are unsung heroes, who embrace King's philosophy through their work in the community.

"For the people we are honoring today, Dr. King lit the torch, and they are carrying it," said Althia Tweiten, chair of the event's committee.

A special recognition award was also given to Cynthia Hadley-Bailey, for her work as Chair of the commission from 2008-2010.

After the honorees were recognized, Dr. Dorian J. Wilson gave the keynote address.

Wilson was born in Jersey City and grew up attending inner city public schools. In high school, a geometry teacher recognized his determination and studious work ethic, and recommended Wilson for a college preparatory program called "A Better Chance." Through this program, Wilson attended a boarding school in Winchester, M.A., then Dartmouth College, and finally, medical school at UMDNJ.

Wilson became a liver transplant surgeon, and is one of the few African-American liver transplant surgeons in the U.S. He is a founder of the Division of Liver Transplantation at UMDNJ, was part of the team that performed the first liver transplant in New Jersey. Wilson also served in the U.S. Air Force, performing liver, kidney and pancreas transplants.

In Wilson's speech, he said that King's "real legacy was one of enlightenment." However, he encouraged the audience to agree or disagree with him, because, "it takes all of us, all of our different dreams, to live in this world with life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness."

Concepts in Choreography also performed during the event. Under the direction of artistic director Deborah Rembert, five young dancers presented two pieces, the first representing the dreams of King, and the second a tribute to where we have been, and where we are going.

"The theme of our event is 'Dream Seekers, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow,' and that is what Dr. King was all about," said Tweiten. The theme reflected the varied ages of the program participants, from the dancers just beginning to pursue their dreams, to the accomplished Wilson.

Rev. Douglas Adams, Chair of the commission, closed the celebration, "We all want to see a better life, a better tomorrow; we all want to see a better community."  

He also had a challenge for those in attendance, "I challenge you to become a dream facilitator."

The message echoed the work of the honorees — Wilson, and King himself — who not only sought their own dreams, but also continuously inspire others to be dream seekers.