Watch 2023 MLK Celebration In West Orange: Speeches, Performances

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The West Orange Human Relations Commission spearheaded an annual celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. on Tuesday, which saw spirited speeches and performances from several community members and students.

The event – held at Liberty Middle School – honored a group of awardees for “serving the community”: the St. Cloud Elementary School Diversity Council, the GrassROOTS Community Foundation, and the United Asian Voices of West Orange.

Speakers included David Jones, who serves as the immediate past chair of the Human Relations Commission, the group’s chair, Elizabeth Milhim, and vice chair, Dawn Adams. Pastor Lisa Adams of the Joy Church of God led participants in a unity prayer, and West Orange High School Principal Oscar Guerrero praised the hard work of the local students who took part in the event, including four seniors who offered inspiring speeches about their perspective on current events and their hopes for the future.

“I believe we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday 50 years after his death because we still must recognize social injustices that need to be resolved locally, nationally, and globally,” West Orange Mayor Susan McCartney said.

“We celebrate his birthday because his non-violent means of communication gave us courage and inspires hope in all of us,” McCartney said.

Watch a video of the celebration below.

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