Gloucester County NAACP Celebrates Community Leaders
Poster with images of award winners at the Gloucester County NAACP Black and White Gala and Game Changer Awards in Deptford on Nov. 2. Photo by Charles Curtis III/For AC JosepH Media
BY CHARLES CURTIS III | AC JosepH Media
DEPTFORD – More than 20 individuals and organizations were recognized for their work in the community during the annual Gloucester County NAACP Black and White Gala and Game Changer Awards ceremony on Nov. 2.
The gala is one of the largest and prominent NAACP galas in South Jersey, drawing elected officials and various community leaders from around the region.
“We are not just here to celebrate, we’re here to activate, said Loretta Winters, president of the NAACP’s Gloucester chapter. Winters, one of most recognized NAACP presidents in the state, said the awards highlights people who have chosen to make an impact on their communities rather than stand on the sidelines.
“I’m here to celebrate the accomplishments of the honorees,” said Evangeline Bank, a lifetime member of the NAACP. “It’s always wonderful to see our community partners and the awardees.”
Attendees ate, danced, and celebrated awardees. U.S. Rep. Donald Norcross was in attendance and gave some encouraging remarks to the audience.
“The legacy awards are a moment for us to reflect on what these organizations have done to make a difference. There’s an urgency now,” Norcross said.
Andrew Bell was the recipient of the Game Changer Award for Excellence in Education. Bell is currently superintendent of Woodbury City Public Schools.
Bell made history as the first African American superintendent in Woodbury and only the second ever in Gloucester County. “Glory” by Common and John Legend played as Bell accepted his award supported by his family and colleagues.
“I’m here to celebrate Andrew Bell,” said Kristen Anderson. “As a resident of Woodbury, as a teacher at Woodbury Junior Senior High School and as a parent of a student in the Woodbury school system, this win is phenomenal.”
“Bell has hired more Black teachers, and he has supported the school districts initiative to be more inclusive. He’s made it a priority to make Woodbury the standard in excellence and education.”
Many organizations were present and shared encouragement.
“It’s been a pleasure being a part of this wonderful experience,” said Jamila Powell, a member of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women. “And I’d like to thank the NAACP Gloucester chapter for all their hard work and the work that they continue to do.”
Jo-Ann Weiner and Rachel Green were given the President’s Award for their service. Weiner was recognized for her work through the nonprofit organization Women, Words and Wisdom.
“We amplify women’s voices,” Weiner said. “Women have to fight for their rights because of the limitations placed on us by DEI and affirmative action. This makes it more difficult for us to have party equity and education.
“We’re fighting for the right to have reproductive freedom. We’re fighting for justice! We have to use our strength and resilience every day, now more than ever.”
The NAACP honored Green, a candidate for the Millville City Commission, for her work with Acenda Integrative Health.
“I’m thrilled and honored to be recognized for the work we’re doing in the community,” said Green, the organization’s director of Culture and Belonging at Acenda.
The South Jersey Information Equity Project was awarded for their outstanding work in the local news media in cultivating young voices of color. The project began in 2019 and since then has curated several successful fellowships.
The project trains community members to be able to tell their own stories by teaching them the fundamentals of journalism, educating fellows on incorporating multimedia storytelling, and fostering collaboration between local news outlets and residents.
“I feel grateful that it’s like being able to support the next generation of journalists,” said the organization’s executive director Velvet McNeil. “Is it something that I feel strongly believe in. I feel honored that we were acknowledged for continuing to amplify voices in the community.
“I really want to thank most importantly the fellows. The fellows not only participated in learning but continue to thrive. I believe that that came to be because of the leadership team, Cassandra Etienne and Adrienne Bauldock brought together the right people to help to grow the project.”
The ceremony acknowledges those in the fields of service, law and justice, and civil rights. Individuals who have committed countless hours to the progression of justice and equity enjoyed a night to be celebrated and rewarded for their positive contributions to society.
Other award winners included:
- Power Couples of the Year: Dr. Melvin and Natalie Pierson; Alex and Aykine Hicks
- Wilfredo Rojas Civil Rights Award: Silvia Catalan-Culnan
- Irene Hill Smith Civil Rights Award: Joe Kidd
- Law and Public Service Award: West Deptford Chief Matthew Brenner
- Entrepreneurial Award: Reggie Foster
- Community Medical Award: Dr. Garmina Thapar
- MVP-Gloucester County NAACP Award: Leatrice Lambert
- Public Policy and Government Award: Charles Walker
- Nonprofit Award: Lukeisha Walker
- Veterans and Armed Services Award: Jeffrey Beck
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