The Alternative Press

PATERSON, NJ – Ten Patersonians are being honored this month as part of Paterson’s commemoration of Black History Month.

Municipal officials held a flag-raising ceremony at City Hall on February 1 to kick off the month-long celebration. Passaic County will hold its Black History Month event on Friday at 12:30 pm at the administration building on Grand Street.

On February 20, Paterson Public Schools will hold its Black History Month celebration at the Kennedy Educational Complex on Preakness Avenue at 6 pm.

The City Council honored 10 people. Here’s that list of names, along with accomplishments cited by the city:

*Ora Jane Bell, a three-decade employee of the Passaic County Board of Social Services. She was recognized for her contribution to “worthwhile community causes,’’ including distributing food and clothing to the needy though the First Seventh Day Adventist Church. Bell received the Sojourber Truth Award.

*Keisha Bennett, an emigrant from Jamaica who works as an accountant with Realogy Corporation. She was recognized for being “an inspiration and guiding force in the community.’’ Bennett also was the founder of the National Council of Negro Women at Monmouth University. She received the Clara McBride Hale Award.

*Jamie Bland, founder of the Jumpstart Community Training and Service Program. An actress, dancer and film producer, Bland was recognized for her contributions to “educational endeavors and community services,’’ including the 26 school presentations she has organized on various social issues. She received the Patricia Harris Award.

*Amin H. Jihad, a community liaison in the Paterson Probation Division for Juvenile Services for 23 years.  He was was recognized for his work in the Village Initiative program, Volunteers in Education, the Passaic County Probation Summer Camp and the “Reality Check” program at the county jail. He received the Medgar Wiley Evers Award.

* Alonzo Moody, director of the Paterson Department of Health and Human Services’ Youth Services Bureau for 39 years. He was recognized for various civic activities, including the Paterson Task Force for Community Action, the Board of Education, Paterson YMCA, and Passaic County Youth Commission. Moody received the Martin Luther King Jr. Award.

*Harvey Nutter, executive director of the Greater Paterson Opportunities Industrialization Center. He was honored for community work through the Passaic County Board of Social Services, Passaic County College and Great Falls Preservation and Development Corporation. Nutter received the Carter G. Woodson Award.

*Carol Powe Newton, the first woman and first African-American judge in Passaic County. Newton was honored for pursuing a law career during the civil rights movement of the 1960s. After starting her own practice, she was appointed a municipal judge and eventually was named Paterson’s presiding judge.

Newton received the Thurgood Marshall Award.

*Rev. Darryl Redmond, pastor of the Faith Chapel Reformed Church in Paterson. He was recognized as “an inspiration and guiding force in religion and social services in the community’’ for his work as a community rights advocate and public servant in the 3^rd Ward. Redmond received the Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth Award.

*Iman Ameer P. Salahuddin, a co-founder of the Passaic/Paterson Islamic Center. He was recognized for five decades of human rights activism, his work counseling inmates at the county jail and his efforts with the Sadaqa Community Development Corporation and the 4^th Ward Community Development Center. He received the Warith Deen Mohammed Award.

*Dale “Skip” Van Rensalier, a social worker for Paterson Public Schools for 37 years. He was recognized for his work as counselor and mentor for the Juvenile Justice Youth Advocacy program, for his efforts with choir at First A.M.E. Zion Church and for his years as track coach at Eastside High. He received the Duke Ellington Award.