Great American Emancipation Day Awards 2025
On February 22, 2025, The Positive Community hosted its 6th Annual Great American Emancipation Day Awards Banquet. Over 450 friends and supporters gathered at the historic Robert Treat Hotel in downtown Newark, NJ, for a “function at the junction!”
This growing tradition honors January 1, 1863 as one of the most important dates on the American calendar—especially for African American people.
On that day, freedom came to 3.5 million of our ancestors held in bondage in the Confederate South. On that day, the Civil War transformed from a “war to save the Union” to a “war to end slavery.” On that day, 200,000 Negro troops were mobilized to fight on the side of the Union Army in a war that cost over 600,000 American lives.
On this late February afternoon, thought leaders, multipliers, and mighty influencers from across the region and beyond gathered in a spirit of unity and cultural pride to affirm the dignity of our humanity. It was an intergenerational celebration of collective achievement, American freedom, and the community-building ideals of positive change.
This Year’s Theme: A Legacy of Love
This year’s theme recognized leadership in education. The honorees included:
- Dr. Lonnie G. Bunch, educator and historian, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution — Dr. Clement Alexander Price Award
- Rev. Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson, Senior Pastor, Grace Baptist Church, Mt. Vernon, NY; Chairman, National Action Network; Board Chair, Virginia Union University; Chair, Conference of National Black Churches — Servant Leadership Award
- Rev. Dr. Herbert Daughtry Sr., National Presiding Minister Emeritus, The House of the Lord Churches — Torchbearer Award
- New Jersey Legislative Black Caucus, represented by Assemblywoman Hon. Shavonda Sumter, President — NJ State Senator Ronald Rice Award
- Stacy Stewart, CEO, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) — Public Safety Award
- Dr. Lamont O. Repollet, President of Kean University — Education Leadership Award
- Hon. C. Lawrence Crump, President, Newark Municipal Council — Hon. Mildred C. Crump Loving Service Award
- Darrell Terry, CEO, Newark Beth Israel Hospital, accepting on behalf of RWJBarnabas Health — Corporate Leadership Award
The event continues to evolve, becoming more refined and polished each year, as leaders in clergy, business, education, health, media, community, and public service travel from near and far to support this noble and righteous cause.
Good food, music, and fellowship were high on the agenda. All agreed that the entertainment highlight was the enthusiastic and stirring performance by the Children’s Choir of Grace Baptist Church of Mount Vernon, NY.
A solemn Watch Night (December 31) and a joyous Emancipation Day (January 1) are not traditions to be treated passively. The Positive Community’s Annual Great American Emancipation Day Awards Banquet is the observance of a historical reality—a universal fact! It is a wholesome recognition and celebration of who we truly are: beloved, liberated sons and daughters of The Most High God.
We are now entering a new season of Positive Change. Let us continue to support and encourage one another—press on! Celebrate and enjoy our individual and collective talents and gifts—on our own terms.
TPC’s Awards Banquet reflects our best hopes and brightest ideals: the truth, beauty, and goodness of a loving and gifted race.
We extend heartfelt thanks to the individuals, churches, businesses, and public and private institutions that recognized the importance of being part of a meaningful experience by purchasing tickets and tables. We are especially grateful to our forward-thinking community partners for progress, our corporate sponsors, and advertisers for investing in the present and future prosperity and well-being of our community of consumers and leaders.
…Because a positive community is everybody’s business; it really pays to care!
— Adrian Council Sr.
