News and Events Archive

On Friday, January 31, 2025, Clarence Curry, Jr., Immediate Past Chair of the Morris County Human Relations Commission (MCHRC), and Commission member, Judith Favors, participated in the annual Project Homeless Connect at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 70 Maple Ave., Morristown. The event was sponsored by the Morris County Mental Health Association in conjunction with the Morris County Department of Human Services. Project Homeless Connect provides a wide range of services, resources, and support to help the homeless and those at risk of homelessness access essential care and opportunities for stability. In addition to representing the MCHRC, Mr. Curry represented the Continuum of Care, and Ms. Favors represented Visions and Pathways. Over 50 County Agencies and Service Providers participated.

The 2025 Celebration of Diversity in Morris County was an overwhelming success.  Due to possible threatening weather conditions, the event was held inside the Morristown United Methodist Church, a very welcoming venue.  The Morris County Human Relations Commission (MCHRC) was one of twenty-nine participating organizations, which included Houses of Worship, Law Enforcement, Health and other Morris County Resources and much more.  There were activities for all ages and delicious food to be given away.  The constant stream of attendees came away with important knowledge of available resources in Morris County. 

The event began with an interfaith service which included a selection by the Interfaith Choir made up of singers from several congregations and organizations.  Inspiring speakers and a “Call to Action” by Dr. Ali Chaudry rounded out the service.

There was also a raffle drawing with many wonderful prizes.  Clearly, a good time was had by all.

Members of the MCHRC who volunteered:  Wayne Cresta, Clarence Curry, Theresa Maughan, Meyer Rosenthal, Sue Rosenthal, Rabbi Moshe Rudin, Susan J. Waldman, and Dr. Edward Yaw.

On Monday, January 20, 2025, several members of the Morris County Human Relations Commission attended the 55th Commemoration of the Life and Legacy of the Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr. at the Hyatt Regency in Morristown.  This was the 39th Interfaith Breakfast honoring Dr. King. 

We all enjoyed the many talents of the beloved community including the Emcees Monty and Ila Tatum, video statements and in-person presentations by current and former MLK Scholarship winners, greetings and blessings by local clergy, a message from the Morris County Board of Commissioners, and inspiring musical interludes by Kamuela Nikki Tillman.  The Keynote Speaker, Reverend Doctor Sidney Williams, Senior Pastor, Bethel Church, Morristown, certainly did not disappoint with his stirring speech.  In closing we joined hands and sang “We Shall Overcome” bringing us together in hope for a better future.

Members in attendance:  Rabbi Moshe Rudin, Commission Chair; Clarence Curry, Jr., Immediate Past Chair; Sue Rosenthal, Secretary, Susan J. Waldman, Treasurer; Meyer Rosenthal, Chair Emeritus; Judith Favors; Maria P. Isaza; Theresa Maughan; Diana Mejia; and William Schievella.

Photo #1, L-R, Clarence Curry, Jr., Maria P. Isaza, Diana Mejia, Rabbi Moshe Rudin, Sue Rosenthal, Theresa Maughan, Meyer Rosenthal, Judith Favors, Susan J. Waldman.  Missing from photo:  William Schievella.

Photo #2, Reverend Doctor Sidney Williams

The Morris County Human Relations Commission held their Annual Meeting on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at the Famished Frog restaurant in Morristown. In keeping with tradition, Commissioners and Officers for 2025-26 were elected and installed.

The program included a look back at the past year by Chair Rabbi Moshe Rudin, with a presentation by immediate past chair, Clarence Curry, Jr., on the Commission’s involvement with the Morris County Continuum of Care, a plan to end homelessness, and a report by Dr. Edward Yaw on the Commission’s involvement with the Morris County Superintendent of Schools.

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of Community Service Awards to the following organizations:

• The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office,
• The Diversity Coalition of Morris County, and
• Randolph PEACE.

Each organization received an engraved plaque which read, “In recognition of dedicated leadership in strengthening respect for human rights and cultural diversity in Morris County.”

In addition, Certificates of Appreciation were presented to the following people:

Morris County Prosecutor’s Office: Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Samantha DeNegri, and Detective Sergeant Patrick LaGuerre.

Diversity Council of Morris County: Dr. Beverly Tignor, CEO, and Franz Owens, Chief Technical Officer.

Randolph PEACE: Meredith Ross, Amanda Adams, Hazel Ball, Chitra Bhat, Valencia Hutchinson, Josie Scanlan, Tessa Schultz and Tracy A. Snow.

It was especially enjoyable to meet in person, and we are all looking forward to continuing our work together.

(L-R) Detective Sergeant Patrick LaGuerre, Sue Rosenthal, Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll

(L-R) Hazel Ball, Susan J. Waldman, Meredith Kurland-Ross, Chitra Bhat

(L-R) Jasmine Lim, Theresa Maughan

(L-R) Diana Mejia, Stuart Sydenstricker, Wind of the Spirit

HRC Members and guests

Dr, Beverly Tignor, Dr. Edward Yaw, Franz Owens

(L-R) Clarence Curry, Jr., Rabbi Moshe Rudin

The Morris County Human Relations Commission celebrated Juneteenth, 2025, at two separate events this year. 

First, HRC members attended the Randolph PEACE event on June 19, 2025, at the Randolph Township Community Center.  It was a beautiful program filled with music, dance, drumming and inspiring speeches.  Randolph Township Mayor, Joe Hathaway, read the official Randolph Juneteenth Resolution, and we were moved by keynote speaker, Rev. Charles Lattimore Howard, who spoke about HOPE.  As part of the program, Meredith Kurland-Ross, founder of Randolph PEACE, proudly displayed the award the organization had received the night before at the MCHRC Annual Dinner and Award Ceremony. 

At County College of Morris (CCM), on Saturday, June 21, 2025, the MCHRC celebrated Juneteenth, 2025, by attending the presentation of a new, award-winning documentary about how one young attorney's battle to overcome cancer reshaped her world.  The film was followed by a Q&A with Queen Stewart, Esq., the featured attorney in the film. 

The MCHRC was one of the co-sponsors of the event.  Before the film, each co-sponsor was called upon to speak a bit about their organization.  The opening presentation by an officer of CCM’s Black Student Union was beyond inspirational and set the tone for the evening.

The event was coordinated by Clifford D. Dawkins, Esq., the Assistant Dean & Director of the Minority Student Program (MSP) at Rutgers Law School.  The MSP is part of the Law School’s ongoing commitment to promote diversity, equity and inclusion within the Law School and in the legal community.  Many organizations were represented as co-sponsors, including the Morris County Human Relations Commission.