Morris Leader

Hundreds gathered at the Hyatt Regency in Morristown to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on what would have been his 96th birthday. The event, organized by the Martin Luther King Observance Committee with support from the Morris Area Clergy Council and the African American Clergy Association, marked its 55th commemoration with a theme of “Strength of the Dream: Moving Forward with Hope.”

Dr. Felicia Brown Jamison, founder and chair emeritus of the MLK Observance Committee, attended despite challenging weather conditions.

Morris County Commissioner Director Tayfun Selen and Commissioner John Krickus presented a framed resolution to commemorate Dr. King's birthday as a national holiday. Selen emphasized the importance of College Promise programs at County College of Morris (CCM), which provide tuition assistance for students in underserved communities.

“Programs like CCM’s College Promise are transforming lives by offering free tuition credits and resources to motivated students in underserved communities like Morristown and Dover,” said Director Selen.

The College Promise initiative began in 2020 with Dover schools and expanded to Morristown in 2023. In June 2024, Commissioner Krickus introduced the Morris Ambassador Program to promote these educational opportunities alongside CCM and MCVSD's Share Time Career and Technical Education Programs.

“Morris Ambassadors will help spread the word about this program... ensuring our young people have the tools they need to succeed,” Commissioner Krickus stated.

The celebration included reflections from former scholarship recipients influenced by Dr. King’s legacy, speeches from local high school students inspired by his writings, musical performances, and a keynote address by Rev. Dr. Sidney Williams Jr., pastor of Bethel Church.

Rev. Dr. David A. Hollowell welcomed attendees while John Thompson delivered an invocation. The event concluded with a prayer from Rev. Msgr. John E. Hart.

Key sponsors included Atlantic Health System, Valley Bank, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with notable attendees such as County Administrator Deena Leary, Sheriff James Gannon, Prosecutor Robert Carroll, CCM President Anthony Iacono, and State Sen. Anthony Bucco presenting a citation on behalf of New Jersey's 25th Legislative District.

For more information on MCVSD’s CTE programs or related educational opportunities at CCM or MCVSD visit their respective websites or download informational materials online.