At the 24th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Observance, the South Orange/Maplewood Community Coalition on Race brought together community members, leaders, and activists to reaffirm Dr. King’s vision of justice, equality, and beloved community. The observance was followed by a volunteer fair and the community luminary lighting.

We are grateful to the planning committee led by Mark Mucci and Barbara Velazquez, to the speakers noted below, to our town leaders, our local faith leaders, and to the Columbia High School chorus led by Nicholas Diaz, and to the Columbia High School Special Dance troupe led by Kayla Fleming, for stellar performances.

In her welcoming remarks, Coalition Trustee Barbara Velazquez reflected on the significance of the event coinciding with the second inauguration of President Donald J. Trump. “It might not be such a bad thing,” she noted, “because communities all across the nation are celebrating the values and the accomplishments of Dr. King and the love that he had for a beloved community. These energies could counter other negative energy.” She emphasized the Coalition’s ongoing commitment to justice, anti-racism, diversity, equity, inclusion, and immigrant support—values that remain at the heart of our work.

The Power of Words: Leaders Call for Action

MLK Observance Planning Chair and former Coalition Trustee Mark Mucci invoked King’s powerful words from the Montgomery Bus Boycott:

“If peace means accepting second-class citizenship, I don’t want it. If peace means keeping my mouth shut in the midst of injustice and evil, I don’t want it. If peace means being complacently adjusted to a deadening status quo, I don’t want peace.”

Rabbi Alexandra Klein of Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel spoke about the contradiction of honoring Dr. King’s legacy on a day of political transition. “We are here to proclaim that a change in power does not mean that our values have changed,” she declared. “In a moment when xenophobia tries to take center stage, give us the strength to say no—we will love the stranger in our midst. In a moment when difference is used to divide us, give us the courage to say, no, our diversity is a precious gift.”

“Take Heart” – A Message of Hope

Coalition Executive Director Nancy Gagnier encouraged attendees to remain steadfast, as she remembered her work with recently retired program director Audrey Rowe:

“We walk through the world believing that tomorrow is a better day, and we work to make it so—doing all the things that might get us there: the hard things, the anti-racism training, challenging systemic racism, and getting people to understand their own biases.”

She reminded everyone that real change happens through building community, fostering dialogue, and taking action—core elements of the Coalition’s mission.

Community Leaders Speak on Unity and Inclusion

Maplewood Mayor Nancy Adams celebrated the progress made in South Orange and Maplewood but cautioned against complacency:

“Some of the progress we’ve worked so hard for feels like it’s on shaky ground. That’s why we have to stay strong. Dr. King showed us what’s possible when people come together with courage and with love.”

South Orange Mayor Sheena Collum emphasized the power of community in overcoming division:

“In times when equality feels like an uphill battle, we must hold fast to the power of community. Community is where change begins. Community is where courage is born. Community is where we find our strength to rise above the rhetoric that seeks to divide.”

She challenged attendees to foster understanding through dialogue rather than division:

“Let’s trade likes and shares for handshakes and heart-to-heart conversations. In doing so, we not only honor each other’s dignity, but also strengthen the fabric of our community.”

Art, Performance, and a Call for Interdependence

The event featured performances from the Columbia High School Select Chorus and Special Dance Company, setting the stage for powerful keynote speeches from Dr. Saladin Ambar of the Eagleton Center at Rutgers University and New York Times bestselling author Ibi Zoboi.

Dr. Ambar called for resistance and love in the face of growing inequality:

“Fewer and fewer of those in power control more and more wealth, resources, and media in our country. More and more Americans are disenchanted with our entire system. Where do we go from here? We must learn to object when an objection is needed. We must learn to resist when resistance is called for. And above all, we must learn to love where love is most needed.”

He turned to the students in the audience, urging them to embrace their role in shaping the future:

“You can still unleash through your love a force greater than yourself—a force to rock the foundations of the world.”

A Personal Reflection on Displacement and Justice

Ibi Zoboi reflected on her Haitian heritage and the injustices faced by displaced communities worldwide:

“Everything that is wrong about Haiti is also everything wrong about how America treats and views people like them all across the globe. These myths rob an entire people of our humanity as we fight for our own survival.”

Quoting poet Warsan Shire, she reminded the audience:

“No one leaves home unless home is the mouth of a shark.”

Zoboi emphasized that, in honoring Dr. King, we must fight for the rights and dignity of displaced people, immigrants, and those seeking refuge.

Carrying Dr. King’s Legacy Forward

The event closed with a call to action: to continue building community, standing up for justice, and resisting oppression in all its forms. As Dr. King taught us, the road to justice is long, but together, we move forward.

Thanks to all the businesses, neighborhood captains, and to the Meadowland Park Conservancy for making the Luminary Lighting a beautiful success once again this year!

more photos to come!