The seven honored included Joan Boone of Englewood’s AARP (Association for the Advancement of Retired Persons) chapter who received the Legacy Award and Co-founders Isaiah M. Jefferson and Kayellen Dunston-Jefferson of Circle of Colors Business Network in Englewood for the Community Partners Award.
In addition to Black History Month, this year marks the Centennial Anniversary of the National Urban League. Both Boone and Jefferson talk about what it means to be part of the movement of empowering the African-American community.
Q: What does Black History Month mean to you?
Boone: It means a lot. I was born and raised in New York City and I’ve seen a bit of discrimination, and it means a lot to see how far we’ve come. Black history should be included in all our schools. It’s American history. It’s nice to celebrate one month out of the year for black history but I think it would be nice if we can continue to recognize black American history throughout all months of the year.
Jefferson: It means sacrifice. It means that someone came before me and sacrificed whatever it was they wanted to do. I’m sure they had aspirations and goals and now that I’m in a new generation and honored for Black History Month by representatives and the county, I need to sacrifice too.
Q: Who is someone you look up to in the history of African- Americans?
Boone: Locally, we have a president of our local AARP branch who is 97 years old and I really look up to her. I’m 76 myself but I always said when I grow up I want to be just like her. Ester Hilliard is really something – to be able to travel with a fine mind at 97 years old. Someone else I look up to – who has passed and should really belong in black American history – is Louis Armstrong, who happens to be my godfather. I looked up to him as a little girl and always have.
Jefferson: There are a number of people. I’m into people that took chances. I think of Richard Allen and Absalom Jones – two individuals who started the Free African Society back in the 1700s and I think about these individuals who took that chance. |
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I also think of W. E. B. Du Bois and his old mindset of getting involved. I wouldn’t be here today without their achievements because that was during a timeframe when America was doing experiments and figuring out what they wanted to do with black people.
Q: How do you hope to empower the community locally through your organization and what you do?
Boone: We give to certain charities and we meet at the Elks home in Englewood, where we have donated to them. We’ve also given money to the children nurseries in town and are getting ready to donate to the new homeless shelter that opened up in Hackensack. We try to encourage people to get involved through our different stories, and try to have different people come to speak at our AARP group of the different services available in the community.
Jefferson: We want to establish a lecture series called "You’re the Author of Your Own Life Story" at Dwight Morrow and build that throughout the county where we can offer professional lectures from local professionals and bring them back to the school and at the same time build a network in the community.
Q: What do you hope for the future of the African-American community?
Boone: As far as the younger generation goes, this is a great time. We hope for them to continue to get their education and come back to the neighborhood to help out.
Jefferson: The hope I have for the future is to be self-sustaining, not to continuously be top consumers. We’re the top consumers but bottom of the food chain. I’m part of a new generation – I’m educated and I’m here. I have to choose to assess whatever situation we’re in and do something about it. I hope to balance out the African-American community to sustain ourselves and to educate ourselves. My plan is to pass this on to the next generation. My whole being is for the next generation. That’s a mindset and not just age.
E-mail: kimj@northjersey.com or 201-894-6723
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