“In honoring her legacy, the Coalition pledges to continue embracing the values Carol taught us, and to be unwavering as we strive toward the inclusive, equitable community she envisioned.”

Honored for tackling local food insecurity and enriching the community, the Elks Rent Party garden has grown enough to produce 2,000 pounds of fresh produce every summer to support local food initiatives.

Mayor Sheena Collum: “This is such an important issue to the South Orange Council, to members of our community, and not just people in our community, but people who work in our community, people who visit our community.”

“These myths rob an entire people of our humanity as we fight for our own survival and seek out the American dream, even as we navigate the innumerable and pervasive American nightmares,” said Ibi Zoboi, who has found a home in Maplewood, as have others with ties to Haiti.

Leo Panagopulos’ non-profit project “ReSTRUNG” lets him turn his passion for playing and refurbishing guitars into a way to help Veterans in VA hospitals.

Councilwoman Jennifer Greenberg: “The pain and fear that these acts create cannot be underestimated. In these challenging times, we cannot allow intolerance to take root.”