Description

U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) announced the honorees for his 11th annual “Standing on the Shoulders of Giants” Black History Month celebration. The event celebrates and honors the contributions and legacies of African Americans to history and society across New Jersey and the nation.

This year’s honorees are six-time GRAMMY-Award winner and East Orange native, Dionne Warwick, and retired New Jersey State Senator Ronald L. Rice.

The event emcee is ABC7 Eyewitness News reporter Toni Yates.

Dionne Warwick, six-time GRAMMY-Award winner, will be honored for her astounding voice and humanitarian actions throughout her 60-year career. Warwick has received the Lifetime Humanitarian award, SupportMusic Appreciation Award, and has been honored by the American Red Ribbon AIDS Foundation.

Retired NJ Senator Ronald L. Rice will receive an honorary award for his extensive, lifelong service to the State of New Jersey. Rice, the longest-serving Black representative in the New Jersey Senate, served the 28thLegislative District for 35 years from 1986 to 2022.

The event, which is free and open to the public, will also include performances by the Cicely L. Tyson School of Performing and Fine Arts Choir. Moyo Kehinde, a Nigerian born singer and alumni of the Cicely L. Tyson School of Performing & Fine Arts, will perform the National Anthem.

Also participating in the Black History Month Celebration are Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver who will deliver remarks and the Rev. Maria Crompton of Elmwood United Presbyterian Church of East Orange who will perform the invocation.

The East Orange Public Safety Honor Guard will present the colors for the event and Pledge of Allegiance will be led by Bobbi and Haden Wilson of Caldwell.

Members of the public wishing to attend the event should RSVP.