Council Celebrates Black History Month

"Students. A coach. A teacher. A firefighter. A doctor and reverend. A businessperson. A principal."

That list was read by Mayor David Mayer at the conclusion of the Township Council's Black History Month Celebration Monday night.

It was a list of achievers.

The hour-long celebration program, held before Council got down to township business, recognized 11 successful, black Gloucester Township residents and contributors.

The honorees were selected by the evaluating committee of Joyce W. Ellis, Walter Dority and Tracey Martin.

"The committee felt we needed to have a theme, and that theme is 'success,'" Ellis said at the beginning of the program. "Success begins with a positive attitude."

Students to receive the "Success Equals Sacrifice" award from the township were Highland's Pitee Amanda Gbesi and Ryan Norman, Timber Creek's Barry Barnett Jr. and Marissa Palmer, and Ann A. Mullen Middle School's Alexa Mock.

These five students were not only nominated by their schools' principals for their hard work in the classroom—all are honors students—but for their involvement in clubs, athletics and extracurricular activities.

For instance, while attending the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association's 2008 student leadership retreat, Norman was instrumental in developing a middle- to high-school transition program now used by schools across America.

"His ideas for smooth middle-school transitions have caught on across the country," Councilman Frank Schmidt read from a letter penned by Highland principal and Norman nominator Frank Palatucci.

By far drawing the most raucous reception of the night was Louis Peebles, a longtime coach with Gloucester Township Stallions Football.

"Coach Lou" led the rather large contingent of Stallions' players and boosters in a cheer to wrap up his recognition segment.

"I love being a GT Stallion," Peebles said. "I'm a Stallion for life."

Alecia Inge is a teacher at Charles W. Lewis Middle School. She was nominated for the award by her fellow teachers, who noted in a letter that she shows "care and respect" for all students, volunteering her time to make their lives better.

Inge, a graduate of Overbrook Regional High School, and her family moved back to New Jersey after she had spent 11 years teaching in Baltimore County, MD.

"We feel blessed that we landed in Gloucester Township," she said.

Council Vice President Orlando Mercado nominated "the firefighter" for the award.

Curtis Phillips became the first black fire chief in township history when he was sworn in at the Blackwood Fire Co.'s installation dinner in early February.

About a dozen Blackwood firefighters attended Monday's ceremony. It was obvious they were not there under their boss' orders—they were there because their boss was being recognized.

"I just don't like to participate in things that are in reference to me," Phillips said. "I'm part of the team. ... It's not me—it's the members of the fire company. I'm going to continue to preach that."

Mayer read honoree the Rev. Dr. William King's rather lengthy and impressive resume to the audience. The mayor noted King is both a family doctor and clergyman who served 20 years in the U.S. Air Force, including stints as chief medical officer at Dover Air Force Base and deputy commander of medical resources at McGuire Air Force Base.

King founded Blackwood's Living Word Bible Fellowship Church, and was instrumental in establishing a local food bank.

"I just want to thank the Lord for what he's done for me, particularly in having opened the door—a fervent door—here in Gloucester Township," King said.

Kasha Giddins, vice principal at Highland, was the final honoree of the night.

In her third year as an administrator at the Blackwood high school, Giddins' background is in special education, having spent the beginning of her career working at Archway and Bancroft schools.

Giddins, who is working toward a doctorate degree, became emotional as she recognized her mother's influence on her life.

"I want other young people to see that respect that I have for my mom," she said. "I just want to impress on young people to act with your heart, to lead with that, and I think you'll end up in the right place at the right time."

Also recognized but unable to attend the ceremony was Karlon Hickman, longtime general manager of Sicklerville's Freeway Golf Course.

Freeway became the first black-owned 18-hole golf course in the U.S. when it opened in 1967, Councilwoman Crystal Evans said.

Council members and Mayer hailed the honorees as making the township a better place for everyone to live, work, and play.

"These are genuine individuals who give back to Gloucester Township to make Gloucester Township what it is today," Mayer said.