The Anibal Ramos Jr. Civic Association honored nine leaders in Newark at its First Annual Leadership Awards Breakfast that raised funds for scholarship and other civic activities.
"All of the honrees deserve special recognition because they have made a positive contribution in the City of Newark," said Councilman Anibal Ramos Jr., who founded the organization. "We are blessed that these individuals have stepped up, investing their time, money and in some cases, their lives in our city."
Nearly 200 attendees packed the Crystal Room at The Robert Treat Hotel on Thursday, March 12, 2015 to recognized and celebrate the contributions of the honorees.
Stephen N. Adubato Sr., the founder of The North Ward Center, and Alfonso Pérez, owner of Pueblo Meat Supermarket, received lifetime achievement awards.
"In their own individual ways, both men have impacted the community," Ramos said.
"As founder of The North Ward Center and Robert Treat Academy," Steve has impacted tens of thousands of lives in our city, giving our citizens the tools they need to become productive members of our society," Ramos said.
Ramos recalled working as a 14-year old for Perez in his supermarket, where he learned the values of hard work that he still uses to this day.
"Alfonso escaped Communist Cuba and came to America in 1972, penniless and unable to speak English," Ramos said. "But he was entrepreneurial and started Twin City and Pueblo Supermarkets, which cater to our community and give job opportunities to many residents."
Others who were recognized were (click on the links for their full bios).
- Senior Community Leader: Jacqueline Sharp, president of the Parkside Manor Tenant Association;
- Community Leader: Steven Yglesias, owner of Mompou Tapas & Wine Bar and president of the Ironbound Business Improvement District;
- Business Leader: Rafael Concepcion, owner of El Merengue Restaurant;
- Business Leader: Scott A. Fields, owner of Daybreak Express;
- Educational Leader: Kathy Duke Jackson, principal at First Avenue School;
- Public Service Leader: Keith Kinard, executive director of the Newark Housing Authority;
- Law Enforcement Leader: Anthony Ambrose, chief of investigators for the Essex County Prosecutor's Office.
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Facebook TwitterMy name is Gabrielle Vera, I’m 18 years old and a student at Rutgers University Newark. I grew up in Newark and live in our city’s North ward. I am the former secretary of the Newark Student union, an organization that worked tirelessly for the return of local control in our city.
Throughout my high school career I dedicated countless hours to engaging, supporting, and empowering my community. I have done work with Sadie Nash to support young woman of color and was recently selected as an Aspen young leaders fellow in Newark.
I began my college career early after dropping out of high school at 16 years old and returning to a non-traditional program known as gateway to college , located at Essex County College. After returning to school, I graduated at 17 with a high school diploma and 40 college credits, and immediately began Rutgers University in the Fall of 2017. All of my experiences combined led me to decide to become a political science major and legal studies minor at Rutgers.
As a political science major, I have been given a once in a lifetime opportunity to intern at our nation’s capital with the Washington Center. Unfortunately the costs of the program total to approximately $14,700. I have already earned a residential scholarship through the Honors Living Learning Community at Rutgers Newark to help minimize costs, however I am still in need.
Is there any way that you, Councilman, can assist me with scholarship funds? I have and still am an active member in my community and see this as a great opportunity for my community to help me. As we all know, it takes a village
Please keep in touch and read part of my story through my GoFundMe account.
Thank you for your time,
Gabrielle G. Vera
GoFundMe.com/sendgabrielletoDC
C-201-887-2534
E- [email protected]