By Vin Gopal
During March and February, we hosted celebrations of Black history, Irish American heritage, women’s history and Greek Independence. It’s gratifying to report that the high turnouts at these events show that LD11 residents share our interest in meeting and learning about their neighbors who come from different backgrounds.
With the divisive climate in America today, we wanted to give a shout out to the honorees, whose work and accomplishments contribute to our communities and remind us of all the positive things we share.
Our Black History Month celebration had an excellent turnout in spite of bad weather that forced us to hold the gathering virtually. We celebrated legacies of resiliency, community-building, cultural achievement, and activism in Monmouth County and the vibrant history of artists, musicians, business owners, and civil rights leaders here.
We had the pleasure of honoring LD11 residents who are making history today, including: Sophia Taylor, Freehold Township, founder of Monmouth County Meets the Needs; Yasmeen Jones Muhammad, the first African American Female Neptune Township Police Officer; Rashidah Cartwright, Tinton Falls, the founder and CEO of Autism for Badass Moms; Quavon Newton, Pastor, St. Stephen A.M.E. Zion Church in Asbury Park; Angela Traymon, Eatontown, an advocate for addiction and mental health resources; David A. Brown, former Long Branch NAACP president. and Juanita Lewis, former vice president of the Red Bank Board of Education and a former Borough Councilwoman.
Our Women’s History Month Celebration drew a big crowd to the Parlor Gallery in Asbury Park, where our honorees represented a wide range of interests and accomplishments. With a strong sense of public service and the importance of community, they are genuine changemakers who are making history today.
We are proud of the accomplishments of our honoree: Briseis Berry, an exceptional fourth-grade student and vice president at Thurgood Marshall Elementary in Asbury Park; Ivy Morales, an extraordinary third-grade student at Thurgood Marshall Elementary who achieved the highest benchmark testing scores in the school; Diane Shelton, Asbury Park, a community development specialist in non-profit organization management, philanthropy, and fundraising; Adanech Asghedom, Tinton Falls, owner of Ada’s Gojjo, an Asbury Park; Randi Moore, Red Bank, for more than 20 years of shaping affordable housing policy and solutions across New Jersey; Sara Weimer, the first female Fire Chief in Tinton Falls history; Lisa Laird Dunn, CEO of her family's 242-year-old distillery, Laird & Company in Colts Neck, and Michele Risley, a lifelong educator before becoming an EMT in Colts Neck at age 50.
We celebrated Irish Heritage Celebration at Jack’s Last Stand in Long Branch, recognizing Irish American constituents for their strong work ethics, dedication to community, and pride in serving those around them.
Our Irish Heritage Celebration honorees were Sue Fitzpatrick, Colts Neck, president of Fitzpatrick Printing Solutions, Inc., and past president of the Colts Neck Business Association; Capt. Tim Griffin of the Long Branch Fire Department who oversees the Special Operations and Training Division; TJ Shaheen, Fair Haven, who helped his family-owned Builders’ General Supply Co. grow to seven locations employing 170 families; Sarah Reichenbecher, Freehold Borough, an educator and union leader who taught English at Colts Neck HS for 25 years; Don Brockel, Ocean Township, for more than 60 years in Boy Scouts and community service including the Interfaith Neighbors advisory board and as a longtime Little League coach.
We end March by joining friends and local government officials in Ocean Township on March 25 to celebrate Greek Independence Day. We will raise the flag of Greece in recognition of the rich heritage and culture of our Greek-American neighbors and friends and to honor their independence. We will announce the honorees soon.
When we experience the cultures and achievements of our diverse neighbors, we realize the truth in the words of the brilliant author and poet Maya Angelou: “We are more alike, my friends, than we are unalike.”
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