2022 Hall of Fame Inductees

Our life legacy is not measured by the number of years that we are blessed to live but by the positive impact that one makes during his lifetime, Johnny’s legacy lives on…. Johnny F. Battle born in Greensboro N.C was only three years of age when his parents Thomas and Nokomis Orrell migrated to New Jersey. Johnny’s formal education began in the East Orange School District where he attended Kentopp ( renamed Mildred Barry-Garvin and Stockton School( renamed Gordon Parks). Johnny’s athleticism became apparent early on as his journey began with the legendary Little League Oval Park Tigers during his Elementary and Middle School years. Johnny’s Football skills continued to bloom as he entered East Orange High School. He was placed on the Freshman and Sophomore team. As an underclassman under Coach Thomas Dean, Johnny in his Junior Year was placed in a starting position at swingback in the dynamic backfield that featured fullback Ralph Folks, All-America Tailback- Charles Hinton, All-Staters Daryl White, Kevin Fletcher and Reginald Griffin. The East Orange High School Panthers won the State Championship by completing the “Back-Back” (68,69) seasons. The Panthers finished undefeated and number 1 In the Star Ledger top 20 two years in a row. As a senior(1970) Johnny starred for the Panthers with his speed, quickness and unbelievable kickoff return ability earning him Newark Daily News All- Group selection. He also earned four full scholarships, two being a major college program Arizona State University recruited by the late legendary coach Frank Kush which he declined and accepted a Advance Freshman and athletic scholarship at West Virginia State University. Many can say Mr. Battle has put himself potentially in the best position for extraordinary accomplishments. John F. Battle legacy has transcended throughout the years with community and family that demonstrates what the true meaning of what a student athlete exemplifies. There is a privately donated scholarship in his honor, to assist college students with out of pocket expenses; “ The Johnny F. Battle Higher Education Scholarship”. Johnny Battle’s legacy is not based on the short 18 years that he lived but his motto that illustrated “Goal setting and determination with a willingness to work results in physical and financial Success.”

Former East Orange Resident Gladys E. Blount, who used to live at 36 North Oraton Parkway in East Orange and raised her children there  recently celebrated her 100th Birthday this past June. She was one of 855 women who were selected from more than 6,000 African American  Women  serving in the Army Air Corps and Service Corps during WWII to become part of the exclusive All-Black, All-Women WWII Central Postal Directory Battalion. Blount reportedly is one of only six surviving members.

The 6888th Battalion Unit, nicknamed the “Six-Triple-Eight, historically completed the massive undertaking of cleaning a six-month backlog of letters and packages - millions of pieces of mail – while stationed in Europe in 1945 in just three months. Adhering to the motto: “No Mail, Low Morale,” these women provided an essential support during wartime linking soldiers to their loved ones back home. Under dire conditions, these extraordinary women toiled around the clock sorting, tracking and re-routing mail, averaging 65,000 pieces per shift and a total of more than 17 million by their assignment’s end.

Civil Rights Leader, Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune along with First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, were instrumental in enlisting these African American women to the Women’s Army Corps (WAC), which consisted of a physical training program, often followed by four to 12 weeks of specialist training, which included learning to identify enemy aircraft, ships, and weapons; climb ropes; board and evacuate ships, and to perform long marches with rucksacks, which were rugged backpacks used to carry heavy loads.

In early March 1946, the Army deactivated the Six-Triple-Eight without any recognition or praise for their service, but now nearly eight decades later, the unit is finally receiving the attention it deserves. In recent years, the history of the 6888th Central Postal Battalion has been explored and celebrated in written accounts, documentaries, museum exhibits, and public ceremonies, including in 2022 when the Six-Triple-Eight was awarded a Congressional Gold Medal -the nation’s highest award for distinguished achievements – by President Joe Biden. The unit is the subject of a new project by movie mogul Tyler Perry and a Broadway musical “6888:The Musical” (working title) by executive producer Blair Underwood. 

On Friday, July 29, 2022, Mayor Ted R. Green traveled to Blount’s home in Ruskin, Florida to personally honor the East Orange heroine for her pioneering contributions during WWII and pay homage to her determination, dedication and distinction as a part of this esteemed unit of women. Green presented her with a Key to the City, a proclamation and a “Green Medal of Honor,” a new award to bestow the city’s highest expression for East Orange citizens who have made notable contributions and achievements with global impact. A ceremonial street re-naming on North Oraton Parkway is being planned for August 2022.

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A beautician before WWII, Blount said she initially enlisted because she was restless and concerned as “there were only old men and young boys around.” As an able-bodied young woman, Blount said she was compelled to help in any way she could.

Upon her sister’s suggestion, Blount joined the armed forces and completed basic training on Des Moines, IA before being assigned to Fort Benning, Blount seized the chance to go overseas, an opportunity which would satisfy her strong desire to travel around the world.

“I felt secure because there were so many women with me,” said Blount.

Although Blount acknowledged experiencing several incidents of racism and segregation during her tour, she says that those moments were eclipsed by the important mission at hand: “Our assignment may have seemed simple, but the work was important to so many,” she said, citing the motto edged in her memory: “No Mail, Low Morale.”

Chakaia Booker, born Jacqueline Barnes (1953) Newark, New Jersey) is an internationally renowned and widely collected American sculptor known for creating monumental, abstract works from recycled tires and stainless steel for both the gallery and outdoor public spaces. 

Booker is a 1971 graduate of East Orange High School. She received a B.A. in sociology from Rutgers University in 1976, and an M.F.A. from the City College of New York in 1993. Booker gained international acclaim at the 2000 Whitney Biennial with It’s So Hard to Be Green (2000), her 12.5 x 21 foot wall-hung tire sculpture. Booker received the Pollock-Krasner Grant in 2002 and a Guggenheim Fellowship in 2005. She has exhibited in group and solo exhibitions nationally and internationally. 

Chakaia Booker is a New York based International sculptor who has extensive experience in creating work for sculpture parks, as well as, work for recreational parks, gardens, indoor, outdoor, public and private areas in urban and rural settings. Her sculpture encompasses environmental and recycling issues. Architects, engineers, landscape architects, lighting designers, and most important, fabricators, have been a part of a team collaborating in all of the work. Repugnant Rapunzel (Let Down Your Hair) shown in the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden at the White House demonstrates some of the issues involved. Most of the art is expressed in abstract forms. “It’s So Hard To Be Green” created from rubber tires and wood was included in the Whitney Biennial, Whitney Museum of American Art in New York. She has shown in major sculpture parks throughout the country, “A Moment In Time” is included in the Storm King Art Center permanent collection in rural New York and “Deja Vu” is a work shown in downtown Chicago IL. Her work is in the permanent collections of major art museums, for example “Raw Attraction” at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City and in other public and private collections

Chakaia Booker fuses ecological concerns with explorations of racial and economic difference, globalization, and gender by recycling discarded tires into complex assemblages. Booker began to integrate discarded construction materials into large, outdoor sculptures in the early 1990s. Tires resonate with her for their versatility and rich range of historical and cultural associations. Booker slices, twists, weaves, and rivets this medium into radically new forms and textures, which easily withstand outdoor environments. For her, the varied tones of the rubber parallels human diversity, while the tire treads suggest images as varied as African scarification and textile designs. The visible wear and tear on the tires evokes the physical marks of human aging. Equally, Booker’s use of discarded tires references industrialization, consumer culture, and environmental concerns.

Booker’s artistic process is enormously physical, from transporting the tires to reshaping them with machinery. Though she has adopted utilitarian jeans and work boots in her studio, she always wears a large, intricately wrapped headdress, which has links to her earliest wearable art and has become her fashion signature. Her works are contained in more than 40 public collections and have been exhibited across the US, in Europe, Africa, and Asia. Booker was included in the 2000 Whitney Biennial and received a Guggenheim Fellowship in 2005. 

Recent public installation highlights include Millennium Park, Chicago (2016-2018), Garment District Alliance Broadway Plazas, New York, NY (2014), and National Museum of Women in the Arts New York Avenue Sculpture Project, Washington DC (2012). 

Carol Y. Clark is a 1978 graduate of East Orange High School. Carol was elected as District III Freeholder in 2002 and re-elected in 2005, 2008 and 2011.  She served 8 years on the East Orange City Council and as the city’s Assistant Director of Community Affairs and Public Relations.  She also served as Deputy County Administrator and Chief of Staff for the Essex County Department of Citizen Services, as an Essex County Utilities Authority Commissioner, and was the Assistant to the Dean of Student Affairs and Director of Student Activities at Essex County College.  Freeholder Clark also coached women’s basketball at both the collegiate and scholastic levels at Essex County College, NJIT, Upsala College and Clifford J. Scott High School, as well as with the AAU and at the United States Youth Games.  She has represented the Freeholder Board at the New Jersey Association of Counties since 2003 and served as the organization’s President in 2009.  She is also a member and former President (2002) of the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials, a board member of the National League of Cities, and a NJ League of Municipalities Legislative Committee member.  She earned her B.A. in History/Political Science from Douglass College, her M.A. in Education from Seton Hall University, and received a fellowship from the Institute for Educational Leadership in Washington, D.C.

Have you noticed that everyone's craving a touch of soul? From fashion to art to music, the flavor of soul continues to be on the rise. With the perfect blend of five silky smooth voices and uncanny showmanship, 14 Karat Soul's powerful vocal sound is a welcome alternative to modern day pop. It all started in 1975 when, at the age of 16, founder and vocalist, Glenn “Glenny T” Wright, with a vision for a unique style of vocal performance presentation, set out to find the best voices he could find in East Orange, NJ. One by one, Glenny recruited Russell Fox II, David Thurmond, Brian Simpson, and Reginald “Briz” Brisbon to create and develop what he had envisioned. 

From14K’s first performances at East Orange Public Library, then the High School, and then on to several live performances over the years throughout New Jersey, these voices were eventually hailed by the Village Voice as, "The best teenage singing group in America”. Since then, Glenny and his group have been taking their audiences by storm. Although other amazing members have come and gone over the years, the most recent recording and performing members of 14 Karat Soul, all from East Orange, are: Glenny T, Tony Zeke, Calvin "Nadir" Powell, Mark Aaron Beckett, and B. David Whitworth. 

The strength and purity of their voices coupled with a captivating performance has led them to become one of the most popular groups in England and Europe, leading to the highest heights of their career in Japan. With albums, tours, and a devoted following, it is no wonder that Kleenex, Coca-Cola, and Walt Disney Enterprises rode the wave of the Karat's popularity by signing them to write, produce and perform on their latest television commercial and recordings; and appear on billboards throughout Japan. Some of their credits include U.S. and European tours (including a five month U.S. tour with The Stray Cats and a European tour with Whitney Houston); two off-Broadway plays (Sister Suzie Cinema and Gospel At Colonus), produced by Joseph Papp, written and directed by Lee Breuer, and music by Bob "Otis" Telson; radio and television performances in the U.S., Europe and Japan; various film work, including "Alphabet City" and “The Luckiest Man In The World”, a host of U.S. commercials for "Roy Rogers," "New JerseyLottery”,"3 Musketeers", and three appearances on NBC's "Saturday Night Live".

In addition, 14 Karat Soul performed for the audience of NBC's "The Cosby Show" until its last taping; earned the "Best Arranger's" and the "TBS TV" awards in the 1990 Tokyo Music Festival; participated in the 1994 World Music Awards held in Monaco; and are continuously being aired throughout the world on re-runs and videos of CTW's "Sesame Street” and WGBH’s “Between the Lions”. 14 Karat has co-produced and performed in video commercials for ESPN's Big East College Basketball Playoffs and were featured in Sesame Street's Emmy Award Winning Movie, "Elmo Saves Christmas", and have completed two history making Walt Disney Classics album, for Japanese distribution. After spending time captivated by the sounds and style of these charming men, you too will be happy to have added a touch of soul to your life.

Kiki Haynes is native of East Orange, NJ and is known to be a true “Jersey Girl”. She is a talented actress who has been seen in many notable TV shows, feature films & theater productions. At the early age of 12, Kiki knew she wanted to be an actress after winning a competition in her drama club at Heart Middle School. She continued her studies in the arts by attending Arts High School as a drama major and received her BA in TV Broadcasting at Fairleigh Dickinson University. Immediately upon graduation, Kiki began her acting career. In less than a year, she landed a role in Spike Lee’s film, “Bamboozled”. After gaining the attention of a legacy like Mr. Lee, Kiki wanted to ensure she was one of the best in her field before moving into her next project. She shifted her focus from auditioning further, to intensively studying for 2 years with accredited teachers such as Earle Hyman and Susan Batson. In 2003, Kiki felt extremely prepared and decided to move to LA. Upon her arrival, she achieved success almost immediately, booking roles in the film comedy “Nora’s Hair Salon” and Lifetime TV’s “Strong Medicine”. The following year, she booked a role playing opposite Robin Givens in a film entitled “Restraining Order”. That role led to a series of offers in the independent film world and from 2004-2010, Kiki’s film credits expanded. Projects include “Message From A Mistress”, “My First Love” and “Love The One You’re With”. Progressing in TV didn’t come as easy to Kiki but that all changed when she booked a guest star role on CBS’s “Rules of Engagement”, playing David Spade’s uneasily swayed nurse. The role greatly displayed Kiki’s comedic skills and got the attention of casting directors working on other popular TV shows at that time, like Bounce TV’s “In The Cut” and “Family Time’. Kiki was also able to breakthrough in the world of theater. She was cast as the romantic lead opposite R&B singer Ginuwine, in a 13 city, national touring play, “The Bachelorette Party”. For years Kiki maintained a reputable flow of work in her acting career, but in 2011, things changed significantly. Kiki landed her first series regular role in “Tyler Perry’s For Better or Worse” in June of 2011. The show began airing in the fall of that year and for 6 seasons, Kiki played the sassy, troublemaking Keisha and acquired an enormous amount of attention from fans who loved to hate her. The show ended in 2017 and the success train has continued upward for Kiki. She is currently on several projects including ALLBLK’s “Ladies of The Law”, Lena Waithe’s “Twenties” and her most notable current project, “All The Queens Men”, where she plays the no nonsense, Detective Davis. In addition to AQM, Kiki can be seen in trending films “The Missing” and “A Wesley Christmas” on BET. Kiki also joined the world of producing. She stars in her 1st self-produced short film entitled, “Just A Phase” and since its release in 2020, the film has been accepted in numerous film festivals and won several awards, including BEST NARRATIVE & BEST ACTRESS in a short film. The project has been developed into a 6 episode series, packaged to be pitched to several streaming platforms. So sky’s the limit with Kiki. She is a determined, entrepreneurial spirit who is destined for great success. She’s smart, tenacious, beautiful and, most important, has a solid faith in God.

Born in Orange, New Jersey, Reginald T. Jeffries lived most of his life in East Orange, New Jersey. He earned a B.S. Degree in Chemistry from Upsala College and furthered his education at Rutgers University. Jeffries has always been committed to embracing the quality of life for the youth in the community and was largely giving of his time.

The late Reginald T. Jeffries was a longtime civic leader and trailblazer for justice and equality who dedicated his life to improving the quality of life for all East Orange residents. He was the founder of the East Orange Citizens Advisory Council, a member of the East Orange Board of Education, Chairman of the Kuzuri Kijiji Housing Board of Directors and Chairman of the East Orange Daycare and Child Development Council. A driving force with the local, regional and national leadership of the NAACP as First Vice President and Legal Redress Chairman of the NJ State Conference, a member of the regional Steering Committee, National Convention Committee, a troubleshooter for the National Office, and President of the Oranges and Maplewood Branch for many years;  he served for many years as Fifth Ward District Leader with the East Orange Democratic Municipal County Committee and is fondly remembered as an author of the popular phrase, “The Mighty Fifth Ward!” Jeffries 

The Reginald T. Jeffries Civic Service Award was established by the Oranges and Maplewood Branch and is presented to a male member of the Oranges and Maplewood NAACP, who has exemplified the highest standards of leadership excellence as a servant leader and support of the mission of the NAACP to achieve social justice and equality. With this honor. his longtime legacy of fighting for civil rights and social justice is remembered.
On October 19, 2010, at the corner of North Maple Avenue and Fourth Avenue, a ceremony was held renaming the site Reginald T Jeffries Plaza” in honor of the revered and respected Fifth Ward community leader and civil rights activist who passed in 1997.

Caprice R. Jenerson, Esq. was raised in East Orange and attended the public school system. After graduating from East Orange High School in 1986, Caprice entered Rutgers University, Douglass College in New Brunswick. She graduated in 1990 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy and a minor in Early Elementary Education. After working 2 years in the insurance industry, Caprice enrolled in Georgia State University College of Law. She began her legal career as a criminal defense attorney in Georgia and served those charged with crimes in both state and federal courts for 19 years. As the Managing Attorney of a small, yet prominent, criminal defense practice, Caprice also worked diligently to recruit, train, and mentor other black law students and junior attorneys to increase representation of people of color in the judicial system. In her practice, Caprice challenged racial disparities in sentencing, over policing and over criminalization of black communities, and the systemic mass incarceration of black bodies. She advocated to give voice to the humanity of men and women appearing in Georgia State and Federal criminal courts, particularly from communities of color, who were facing mental illness, drug addiction, accused of crimes of poverty and related to untreated trauma. Although Caprice was a member of the private bar, and not a public defender, she was committed to providing access to justice to those experiencing poverty by providing representation on a reduced fee scale or pro bono basis. 

Caprice also spent two years in Washington, D.C., as the Senior Resource Counsel of the Clemency Project 2014, a collaborative effort led by the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers to engage and train more than 4,000 lawyers to prepare clemency petitions for individual incarcerated in federal prisons. Through the project 2,581 petitions were filed and President Obama granted 894 clemency petitions. More than 13,000 collective years were reduced from the grantees sentences and 314 life sentences were commuted. Caprice represented 10 individuals who were granted clemency and returned home. 

Currently, Caprice serves a dual role at the New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG), a leading provider of free civil legal services and financial counseling for those experiencing poverty. As the Director of the Pro Bono and Volunteer Unit, Caprice leads a team of volunteer management professionals who work to expand the capacity of NYLAG to serve a greater number of people with unmet civil legal needs. She cultivates and maintains relationships with corporations, law firms and law schools to advance organizational goals and to meet the needs of the clients they serve.  

Caprice is also NYLAG’s first ever Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer.  In this role, Caprice serves as the organization’s key strategist to build cultural awareness, implement diversity and inclusion initiatives, and create programs and policies that foster an inclusive workplace climate. Caprice represents the organization externally as a thought leader on race equity, diversity, and inclusion related topics at conferences and professional associations. In the first year in her new role, Caprice established and led a 16-person standing committee to delve deeply into workplace issues ranging from diversity hiring, implicit bias, cultural humility, and fostering an inclusive workplace. Additionally, Caprice created a framework for employee resource groups, launched Courageous Conversations to normalize cross-cultural conversations in the workplace, and drafted the organization’s Race Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategic and Change Management Plan. Caprice’s work, including speaking engagements and written work, Caprice focuses on advancing access to justice for those experiencing poverty while challenging racial disparities and structural racism. 

As an active alumna and past president of the Associate Alumnae of Douglass College Black Alumnae Network (AADC BAN), Caprice helped create meaningful engagement opportunities. She takes pride in having been at the helm during the establishment and the inaugural meeting of the Evelyn Sermons Field '49 Literary Society in August 2016. Caprice was also integral to planning the 2016 AADC BAN Sisters Conference "Telling Our Truth", commemorating the 35th anniversary of BAN.  In addition, Caprice continues to partner with the Bold Center at Douglass for Leadership, Career and Personal Development by providing externship opportunities for Douglass students.  

Caprice serves as a member of several advisory boards, including the New York State Attorney Emeritus Advisory Council, the Law School Subcommittee of the New York City Bar Pro Bono and Legal Services Committee, and the Volunteer Management Institute of the UJA Federation of New York. In 2019, Caprice was also named to the Top 100 Lawyers by the National Black Lawyers. On December 1, 2020, Caprice was selected and currently serves as the President and Attorney-in-Charge for the Office of the Appellate Defender. 

Leander Knight, Jr. (born February 16, 1963) is a 1981 graduate of East Orange High School, and he was an outstanding high school standout, letterman of the Panther Football team. Knight had a four-year career at three different schools: Hudson Valley Community College (NY) where he was second team all-conference choice before transferring to Ferrum College (VA). He played middle linebacker for Ferrum during his sophomore season.  Knight finished his college tenure at Montclair State College.  He received all-conference honors as a junior. During his senior year, he was a member of MSC’s football and track teams. He was First Team All-New Jersey College Athletic Association and he set a school record for the 55-meter dash in track, and this was his first-time running track. He was fourth in the country in Division III Athletics. 

This former American Defensive Back has been around. In 1986, He signed to play with the USFL’s New Jersey Generals, but the league folded. He ended up with the Connecticut Giants of the Continental League and had seven interceptions in ten games. After signing as a free agent with the San Diego Chargers in 1987, he was waived during training camp and later signed with the Atlanta Falcons (1987-1988).  He played two games for Atlanta before being waived.  In 1989, he signed as a free agent with the New York Jets. He appeared in 13 games on special teams and as an extra DB finishing with 28 tackles (23, 5) plus nine special team solos; he saved a TD by forcing a fumble in loss to New Orleans; Top tackle game of season came with New England - knocked QB Bubby Brister out of game with ferocious fourth quarter hit in loss to Steelers. Knight was an excellent nickel situational player who was also a special team standout. He was an intelligent player with good speed and hitting ability. He played for the Falcons and Jets before joining the Houston Oilers in 1990. He played in all 16 games. Knight’s Oiler teammates called him “Notebook” because he had the notion that everything he hears in secondary or special meetings belonged neatly etched into a blue notebook that he kept. Knight’s impressive in-training camp led the Oilers to an early decision selecting Knight over a Plan B acquisition from the Steelers who was vying for the same spot. Coach Pat Thomas said, “Knight was very smart. He did not blow coverages and he was the hardest worker they had.” Knight was listed on Pardee’s depth chart as a strong backup safety to Bubba McDowell.  Other noteworthy accomplishments include: He had five tackles and forced a fumble in the 24-10 home opening win over the Colts; He notched a career high seven tackles and recovered a Boomer Esiason fumble that led to a Houston field goal besting of Bengals; He made his first interception of his career on a Jim Everett pass at the Oiler four-yard line in their 17-13 loss to the Rams; In the 27-10 win at Kansas City, Knight replaced Bubba McDowell in the fourth quarter (who suffered a dislocated kneecap); he got his first start in place of McDowell the following week in a 40-20 loss to Cincinnati where he had six tackles; 5 hits in relief of McDowell plus two on special teams in 34-14 win over Pittsburgh and he made his first playoff appearance against Cincinnati.

Leander Knight is a Retired NFL Player who returned to coaching in New Jersey and has given back to his hometown, East Orange, NJ and surrounding communities: Manchester Regional High School (Manchester, NJ) - first undefeated 9-0 season in 1996 and the first playoff berth in the school’s history; Weequahic High School (Newark, NJ) - first undefeated 12-0 season in school’s history earning the 2016 North 2, Group 1 State Championship. As Defensive Coordinator, Knight held opponents to 35 points in 12 games (averaging 2.91 points per game with “NO SCORING” on the defense for 9 consecutive games); and finally, his Alma Mater, East Orange Campus High School (East Orange, NJ) - Coach Knight was the Defensive Coordinator for the first Group 5 undefeated 13-0 State and Regional Championships in the school’s history in 2021.

Coach Knight has had the pleasure of coaching and impacting a number of lives such as Lance Wigfall: 2018 East Orange Hall of Fame Ambassador (2003 Winter Male Athlete of the Year who broke the indoor track 400-meter record (47.19 sec.) - East Orange) and 2016, 2017, 2108 Super-Essex Co-Coach of the Year - Indoor/Outdoor seasons - East Orange; Sidney Gopre - (2013 New Jersey State Player of the Year); and Ihmir Smith Marsette (currently playing for the Minnesota Vikings).  

 Theodore A. Monica, Sr. was born in East Orange, NJ on May 5, 1929, to Anthony and Rosina Monica, and grew up at 228 Sanford Street. After graduating from East Orange High School in 1947, Ted went on to earn his undergraduate degree from Panzer College in 1951 (now Montclair State University), as well as a master’s degree in Educational Administration. Ted proudly served in the United States Marine Corps during the height of the Korean War, earning 

In 1954, after returning home from the war, Ted accepted his first position as an assistant coach with Glen Ridge High School, and then Jonathan Dayton Regional High School in Springfield. He was a natural leader and quickly gained the respect and admiration of his players.  He married the love of his life, Pasqualina “Lee” Esposito from Jersey City, on June 26, 1954. 

In 1955, Ted was offered the position of physical education teacher and head football coach by the Madison Board of Education and eventually served as Director of Athletics for almost 30 years. 

Throughout Coach Monica’s career in Madison, he refined the football team to a “Tradition of Excellence” and put Madison on the map for high school football. He had high standards for both his students and athletes, and it showed.  It has been said that Coach Monica took mediocre athletes and turned them into champions.  

Under his guidance and in addition to nine State Championships and a thirty-eight-game winning streak, the Madison High School football program held many other conference and county records throughout the years.  At one time, Coach Monica was named the all-time winningest coach in the State of NJ and held that title for many years.  

Throughout the 1960’s, Coach Monica, under the guidance of Coach Vince Lombardi, ran the NFL draft day for the Green Bay Packers.  He was also very involved locally and was instrumental in the development of the Madison Recreation Department.  Coach Ted Monica took great pride in ensuring that children of all ages in town had extracurricular sports and recreation available to them throughout the year. 

He retired from coaching in 1981 with a record of 177-50-4, however, he followed and remained active in Madison High School football for the rest of his life. 

He and his beloved wife, Lee, retired from education together in 1999.  After retirement, Coach Monica scouted for the Cleveland Browns. In 2007, the Madison Board of Education named the Madison High School football stadium in his honor -- Ted Monica Stadium at Twombly Field.

Duane M. Smith, MD is a physician administrator who has had a long and distinguished career in community health and in providing services for people living with HIV.

Duane was born in East Orange General Hospital and grew up on Park Street living with three generations of family members. He attended Ashland School until his family moved across town to South Clinton Street. He there attended Elmwood School and Vernon L. Davey Junior High School before attending East Orange High School, where he graduated second in his class in 1976. 

He went to Brown University in Providence, RI, where he earned an undergraduate degree in Biochemistry in 1980. He was involved in student government, campus activism, and radio. His segment of the WBRU-FM Sunday show “The 360 Degree Black Experience in Sound” was at one point the highest rated program in that time slot in the Providence radio market. He continued at Brown for medical school. As a third-year medical student, he helped to care for a patient who was one of the first in the state to be diagnosed with AIDS. He experienced first-hand both the terrible impact on patients of what was then considered a universally fatal disease and the intense levels of fear and discrimination that people with AIDS faced in the health care system. It was an experience that would define his future in medicine. He graduated with an M.D. in 1984.

Duane did his residency at Harlem Hospital Center, an affiliate hospital of the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, in New York City during the height of the AIDS and crack epidemics. He learned there the impact of social problems on health and how to provide medical services to a low-income population. He was well trained in medicine and working both independently and in a team. He also served as president of the local chapter of the Committee on Interns and Residents (CIR), the union for resident physicians in the NYC public hospitals. 

After completing his residency in 1987, he moved to Boston to work at a community health center located in the African-American community of Roxbury. After about a year of practicing adult and adolescent medicine at Roxbury Comprehensive, Duane was promoted to the position of Medical Director. In this position he was able to raise grant money to improve services and to start new programs, including the center’s first HIV services program. By this time, HIV had been discovered as the cause of AIDS, and treatments were becoming available. It was no longer considered a death sentence, and he worked on developing a program that moved from providing end-of-life care to those helping people live with a chronic illness. The Center’s HIV Services program integrated preventive health education, testing and counseling, and primary care for people living with HIV. He also served as a founding member and Board Chair of the Multicultural AIDS Coalition, a community-based organization focused on preventing HIV infection in communities of color.

In 1995, Duane moved to the Cambridge Hospital, the public hospital in that city. He provided primary care at a site in Cambridge’s African-American community and in the hospital’s HIV program, the Zinberg Clinic. He joined the faculty at the Harvard Medical School. He soon became the Medical Director of that program as well as the Medical Director of the city’s Men of Color Health Program. This effort was directed in getting men of color into health care. He worked with a team to develop unique outreach efforts, including Hoops for Health, a basketball tournament and community health fair. This event also provided physical exams for all players and coaches as a requirement to participate in the tournament. A number of medical conditions were discovered as a result of the screenings, and people were linked to medical care.

In 1997, Duane and his wife Linnie moved back to New York City, where he became the Medical Director of a new location of the multidisciplinary HIV program at New York Hospital (now NY-Presbyterian Hospital), the Center for Special Studies and a member of the faculty at the Cornell University Medical College (now Weill Cornell Medicine). He was responsible for coordinating the final stages of the construction of the site in Chelsea and in opening the program there. The Chelsea site grew quickly over the years, and he oversaw the expansion both in size and in services. They now provide not only primary care and social services for people living with HIV, but also prevention services (PEP and PrEP) to people at risk for HIV. Most of those obtaining services there are supported by public insurance and other public programs. 

Duane has dedicated his career to providing care to an underserved population and to those with HIV. It is sometimes difficult but always satisfying work; it is important to him to be making a difference for people in need.

Mr. Norman Smith was born on September 29, 1927, in Newark, New Jersey. He attended Barringer High School and graduated in June of 1945. Mr. Smiths’ dream was to be a mortician in the funeral home like his friend Charles Whigham, Sr. but after conversation with his politician friends of Newark, black dentists, Harry Wheeler, Judge John Tier and Donald Payne Sr., he was inspired to become the first minority dental supplier in the tri-state area. Thereafter, he attended Newark dental Tech and Lab School in Newark, NJ. 

In 1952, he founded Commonwealth Dental Supply Company Family Black owned business which first started in the basement

of his house in East Orange, NJ. Business was lucrative and supported by local dentists, so he moved the business to 164 Sanford Street in East Orange, NJ where he sold dental supplies to local dentists in the tri-state area and leased dental equipment. Mr. Smiths’ expertise was helping dentist set up and lease or finance their dental equipment through his company. He also offered services to design their dental offices with an architect service specifically for their needs.

In 1990, Alpine Dental was founded for the Castellini Dental Equipment Company and was recognized as the only minority dental supplier and international supplier in the tri-state area in New Jersey. New Jersey Governor Thomas Kean recognized Mr. Smith for this outstanding accomplishment along with UMDNJ and the Black National Dental Association. Mr. Smith became the only international dental supplier for the Castellini Dental Equipment Company located in Bologna, Italy which he serviced and operated in the United States. Dentists were very intrigued with the elegance and innovated designs, styles, and most importantly, the reliability of the dental chairs. Thereafter, he obtained many government contracts with corporations and small businesses and sales were vast resulting in the business expanding to 325 Elmwood Ave., which became the showroom for the Castellini Dental Equipment. The service and sales departments were located there, and his son Gary Smith was the lead salesman for the business. Sales were high in demand so that mail order companies such as the Garden State Dental and Sav-On Dental were incorporated for dentists that were not in the tri-state area.

Mr. Smith always gave back to the community with his service and his knowledge to others including youth in the community. He employed teenagers keeping them off the street with jobs running errands and cleaning up the office. He also give them tips on business education and how to become an educator telling them to make something of themselves whether its college or being a business entrepreneur. Some youth looked up to Mr. Smith as a father figure because he was a mentor and try to guide them in the right direction of their life. He inspired many people in the community; specifically, his son, Gary, and Keith Oliver, who are now businessmen and entrepreneurs. Mr. Smith was in the dental supplier industry for 50 years in East Orange, NJ before he retired. He passed the baton to his son Gary, who also has retired from the business, but the legacy will always continue. 

Mr. Smith was a fun and intelligent man. He served in the Air Force during peacetime; served on the board of trustees at Mount Olive Baptist Church in Newark, NJ. Mr. Smith was affiliated with many organizations such as the North Jersey Men’s Club, Sundowners, Commonwealth Dental Society, New Jersey Business & Industry Association, Black Caucus of Washington, DC, Chamber of Commerce and the Bridge Club, Newark, NJ.