The Birthday Committee

The observance of the life of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. began in Teaneck, New Jersey as a Candlelight Ceremony upon his assassination on April 4, 1968. In subsequent years the Committee evolved to celebrate Dr. King’s birthday in January. When a national holiday emerged, the observance has been held on the third Monday of January. This annual observance, held in various houses of worship, churches, and temples, is an inclusive, racial, religious, and equitable service that attempts not only to remember Dr. King’s life but is an effort to raise awareness of human rights issues. In addition, recognition is given to community organizations that best exemplify the ideals of Dr. King and awards scholarships to high school students who excel academically and make significant contributions to their community through volunteerism. Our purpose is also to raise awareness of human rights issues by supporting organizations that best exemplify the ideals of Dr. King. This Bergen County Committee’s true mission is to address Dr. King’s Question:

“What have you done for others?”

In addition we:

• Donate funds to support non-profit community-based service organizations, e.g. Food Banks, Shelters, and Women’s Service organizations.

• Support the maintenance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. monument on the campus of Fairleigh Dickinson University in Hackensack, NJ through the sponsorship of special programs and events held at the site including the annual event held in August to commemorate the March on Washington DC.

• Partner with Teaneck Public Library to create and hold programs for the benefit of the community and school districts in Bergen County

• Plan & execute the Juneteenth Celebration for Bergen County

MLKJr. Birthday Committee Members

Theodora S. Lacey, Chair

Barbara Giarmo, Co-Chair

Toniette H. Duncan, Treasurer

Althea Avery, Corresponding Secretary

Libby Klein, Recording Secretary

Craig Cannon & Jessica Monaco-Coppell, Media & Publicity Co-chairs

Michael Rideau, Program Coordinator

Gwendolyn Ash

Arnold Brown

Juanita Brown

Jeannette Curtis-Rideau

Edna Dismus 

June Donohue

Cathy Felix

Lois Ferrell

Elaine Fondiller

Quron Gee

Hedy Geller

Diana Gross

Danielle Hadnott

Cheryl Hall

Wayne Hamer

Stephanie Harper

Joseph Harris

Anthony Johnson

Barbara Landberg 

Annette Machac

Dr. Marion McClary

Jackie McLeod

Tama Harris McPhatter

Peggy Monges 

Joann Pearson

Angela Perkins 

Reggie Pittman

Lee Porter 

Jeanne Reidel

Anita Rivers

Mark Robertson

Ruqayyah Sanders

Barbara Shapiro

Al Stawsky

Melanie Stokes

Vera Stokes

Levonne Turner

Shelley Washington

Patricia White

Clara Williams

Seleene Lewis Wong