The Monument
The Martin Luther King Birthday Observance Committee proposed the establishment of a monument in honor of Dr. King. Freeholder-Commissioner Dr. Vernon Walton initiated the response to this proposal through the establishment of the African American Advisory Committee. Under the leadership of County Executive Dennis McNerney and the Board of Chosen Freeholders of Bergen County, the advisory committee sanctioned the establishment of a monument honoring the life of Dr. King. Upon the election of County Executive Kathleen Donovan the project to erect a life size bronze statue of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. began on the Hackensack River Pathway as it crosses the Fairleigh Dickinson University Campus in Hackensack, NJ.
Our Mission is to commemorate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and to inspire future generations to continue his quest for peace, justice, and equality. Our focus is striving to keep the Dream alive by encouraging the development of leadership skills, educational excellence and integrity. To this end, scholarships are given to our youth in recognition of their participation in helping to fulfill the dream.
Committee Co-Chairs
The co-chairs of the African American Advisory Committee, Arnold Brown and Theodora Lacey, civil rights activists , established the Bergen County Monument Committee in 2010. This committee made up of concerned and dedicated Bergen County residents set their goal to build a public monument honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
This committee raised over $750,000 to complete the monument project.
Original Members of MLK Monument Committee
Clifton Arrington, Carol Baugh, Crystal Brown, Eve Clyburn, Joann Pearson-Collins, Edna Dismus, Barbara Giarmo, Patrick Hatchel, Wayne Hamer, Marcia Pinkett-Heller, Beverly Johnson, Fred Johnson, Janice Johnson, Barbara Landberg, Alex McLucas, Wanda Pendelton, Jeannette Curtis-Rideau, Mike Rideau, Lynda Seward, Al Stawsky, Vera Stokes, Shelley Washington, Patricia White, and Clara Williams.
The Process
Over six years ago on October 14, 2014 Phase I of the installation was completed. Phase ll was completed in 2016 with the addition of a 36 foot long black granite wall cap. The polished black granite is engraved with quotes from Dr. Martin Luther King.
Thanks to ALL of our Sponsors!
Dream Sponsor
Hackensack University Medical Center
Justice Sponsor
Bergen County Chapter of the Links, Inc.
Mt. Olive Baptist Church of Hackensack
Paladino Paving and Concrete Inc.
Puffin Foundation, Ltd.
Equality Sponsors
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Kappa Theta Lambda Chapter
Eve Clyburn
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority
Barbara and Tony Giarmo
Theodora S. Lacey
Puffin Foundation, Ltd.
TD Bank, N.A.
Peace Sponsors
Thomas Abbott
Englewood Hospital and Medical Center
Fairleigh Dickinson University
Frank and Valerie Huttle
Society of African Missions
Faith Sponsors
Central Unitarian Church
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
Myron Corporation
PNC Financial Services Group
Herman and Beverly Snyder
Charles and Maredia Warren
Freedom Sponsors
St. Anastasia’s Church
Thomas Jackson and Beverly Baker
Black Clergy Council of Englewood, Teaneck and Vicinity
Beverly M. Cannon Estate
Church of Holy Trinity
Dr. Ursula Parish Daniels
First Baptist Church of Teaneck
Sandy Greenberg
Diane Guadara
John S. Hogan
Councilwoman Monica Honis
Drs. Edwin and Gene-Ann Horne
Deborah Witcher Jackson
Anthony W. Johnson
Bishop Alfred Johnson and Rev. Sherrie Johnson
Thelma J. Jones
Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Committee, Inc.
Mikk and Derek Murphy
National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Bergen-Passaic Chapter
NY Football Giants
NVE Bank
PFLAG of Bergen County
Barbara Pinsak
Alfred Stawsky
YWCA Bergen County
Rev. Dr. Vernon C. Walton
West Side Presbyterian Church, Ridgewood
Michael Wildes, Esq.
ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY, INC., OMICRON ZETA CHAPTER, FAIRLEIGH DICKINSON UNIVERSITY
BERGEN COUNTY COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP, INC.
CLIFTON ARRINGTON
2016 BERGEN COUNTY JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION COMMITTEE
REGINA CHARLES
COMMUNITY BAPTIST CHURCH, ENGLEWOOD
MALCOLM J. CLYBURN
STEVE FISCHMAN
BERGEN COUNTY FREEHOLDER DAVID GANZ, ESQ.
DR. AND MRS. JAMES JONES