20 Oct ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIVINCENZO DEDICATES MEMORIAL PLAQUES ALONG ESSEX COUNTY LEGENDS WAY IN HONOR OF TELEVISION JOURNALIST MICHAEL ARON, THE NEW HOPE BAPTIST CHURCH PASTOR JOSEPH A. CARTER FORMER GOVERNOR AND NJ SENATOR RICHARD J. CODEY AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH BISHOP REGINALD T. JACKSON Bronze Plaques Recognize Community Leaders who Impacted Essex County
Published on October 20, 2026
Newark, NJ – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. dedicated four bronze plaques honoring television journalist Michael Aron, The New Hope Baptist Church Pastor Joseph A. Carter, Former Governor and NJ Senator Richard J. Codey and African Methodist Episcopal Church Bishop Reginald T. Jackson. The dedication ceremony was on Tuesday, October 20th in the Essex County Martin Luther King, Jr. Justice Building in Newark. The plaques are located along Essex County Legends Way at the Essex County Government Complex in Newark.
“Michael Aron, Pastor Joe Carter, Richard Codey and Bishop Reginald Jackson all were proud of their connection to Essex County and became examples for others to follow because of their hard work, the barriers they broke and their lifelong accomplishments. They are deserving of being remembered as Essex County legends,” DiVincenzo said. “Our government complex is a special place for us to honor the men and women who have positively impacted our lives both on a national and local level. The statues, plazas, buildings and plaques are our opportunity to remember them and teach current and future generations about their importance,” he added.
The plaque for Michael Aron begins with a quote from legendary news anchorman Walter Cronkite: “Journalism is what we need to make democracy work.” It continues: “Known as the ‘Dean of the New Jersey Statehouse,’ Michael Aron’s journalistic career spanned more than four decades before he semi-retired in 2021. A respected and revered member of our state’s press corps, Michael was a trusted source of information and brought the news of the day to millions of New Jerseyans as the Senior Political Correspondent on New Jersey’s public television network. He had the pulse of the state at his fingertips, interviewing governors, senators, assembly members and other powerful people whose roles impacted our state. Never afraid to ask difficult questions, Michael himself was recognized as an influential Garden State personality because his reporting helped to shape the policy decisions being made by our state’s decision makers. For young reporters, Michael was a teacher and mentor, imparting that a reporter’s integrity, honesty and truthfulness are their most important qualities, and set a gold standard for all future generations of journalists to attain. When he wasn’t reporting, he could be found in Essex County Brookdale Park playing pick-up soccer with friends.”
“He shared so much of his life with his viewers and so it is special for us to share this day with you. My father could not have loved this city and this state more. It is so moving to hear what he meant to so many people. Today I have enormous pride in my father,” said Mr. Aron’s daughter, Leah.
The plaque for Pastor Joe A. Carter begins with a quote from the Bible, Philippians 2:3: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” It continues: “Joe Carter answered the call to serve God at the young age of 9 and dedicated his life to bridging the gap between the church and community. He used the ministries of the church to serve the spiritual and humanitarian needs of his congregation and the general public. He joined The New Hope Baptist Church in Newark in 1993 as Assistant Pastor where he became the sixth and youngest pastor in the church’s history in 2000. For the next quarter century, The New Hope Baptist Church became a beacon of hope for those facing difficulties in their daily lives by expanding its outreach beyond religious guidance and teaching to include addiction services, counseling, court advocacy, meals and homeless prevention. In times of crisis, the church heightened its response, such as in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy and during the coronavirus pandemic, when it became an even greater trusted resource. At his core, Pastor Carter was dedicated to helping children and believed that the problems of the world could be solved if the immediate and long-term needs of our next generation were addressed. We thank Pastor Carter for joining us in Putting Essex County First.”
“Thank you so much. I am just overwhelmed and so grateful. My husband was a living legend,” Pastor Carter’s wife, Monica.
The plaque for Richard J. Codey begins with his own quote: “I want to be an advocate for the people who don’t have time to read the newspaper … or the money to make a political contribution.” It continues: “Governor Richard J. Codey represented the people of New Jersey in the State Legislature for half a century, earning him the distinction of being the longest serving State lawmaker in our state’s history. A funeral director by trade, he was first elected to the General Assembly in 1974 and made the jump to the Senate chambers in 1982, where he remained until his retirement in 2024. His undercover initiative working in a state psychiatric hospital heightened attention on mental illness and made it part of political and public health conversations. He also championed other issues relating to public health, including promoting indoor smoking bans, supporting stem cell research and combating steroid use. Governor Codey gained statewide influence when he was elected Senate President. As Senate President, he rose to statewide prominence and, in 2004, became New Jersey’s 53rd Governor – the “Accidental Governor” – stepping in to lead the state when the office was left vacant. Outside of politics, he was an ardent basketball fan and could be found regularly cheering on the Seton Hall University Pirates men’s basketball games or coaching the next generation of hoopsters in local recreation leagues.”
“Thank you for all the kindness you have shown my family. My heart still aches when I see a picture of Richie. The one thing about my husband was that he never turned his back on people. All he wanted to do was help,” said Governor Codey’s wife, Mary Jo.
The plaque for Bishop Reginald T. Jackson begins with a quote from the Bible from Matthew 25:23: “Well done, good and faithful servant… enter into the joy of your Lord.” It continues: “Bishop Reginald Jackson’s ministry spanned more than half a century and included 31 years of service as the Pastor of St. Matthew AME Church in Orange. As
Pastor, Bishop Jackson modernized the church and increased the size of the congregation. As the President of the Black Ministers Council of New Jersey, he was an outspoken advocate to end racial profiling, strengthen voting rights, achieve equity in schools and promote affordable healthcare. He also took an active role in Orange as President of the Orange Board of Education. In 2012, he was elected and consecrated the 132nd Bishop of the AME Church and was assigned to the 20th Episcopal District of the AME Church. He then was assigned as Bishop of the 6th Episcopal District in Georgia where he continued his advocacy for equality and civil rights by championing the reaccreditation of Morris Brown College, the first educational institution in Georgia to be operated entirely by African Americans, and rallying behind the passage of Georgia’s Hate Crime Legislation. At the time of his passing, he was serving as the Bishop of the 2nd Episcopal District. Bishop Jackson served as the conscience and moral compass for our community, and we are proud that he joined with us in Putting Essex County First.”
“My father wanted to make our world and our community a better place. I am thankful for this honor and the support we have received and it is important that we continue his work,” said Bishop Jackson’s daughter, Regina.
The former 13th Avenue on the southern side of the Essex County Hall of Records was transformed into a tree-lined promenade when the Jurors’ parking garage was opened in 2008. It was later named “Legends Way” and features bronze plaques recognizing people who have made significant contributions to Essex County. The plaques feature Major League Baseball Hall of Fame players Yogi Berra, Larry Doby and Monte Irvin; the late Congressman Donald Payne, Jr.; the late Congressman Bill Pascrell; the late NBA basketball player and coach Alvin “Al” Attles; the late Essex County Executive Peter Shapiro; the late Pearl Beatty, who was the first Freeholder President under the current form of County government; the late Kenneth A. Gibson, who was the first African American Mayor of Newark; the late Lebby Jones, who was a member of the Board of Freeholders and Irvington Township Council; the late Trish Morris-Yamba, who was the Executive Director of The Newark Day Center and the Fresh Air Fund; the late Ramon Rivera, who was the founder and former Executive Director of La Casa de Don Pedro; the late Monsignor William Lindor, founder and director of New Community Corporation; the late author and Newark native Philip Roth; the late Balozi Harvey, who was Director of the Essex County Office of Cultural Diversity and Affirmative Action & the Essex County Economic Development Corporation; the late Dr. Leon Smith, who was an infectious disease specialist; the late Lawrence “Lonnie” Wright, who was a two-sport professional athlete and Director of Minority and Underrepresented Student Recruitment at UMDNJ; the late John J. Clancy, who served as the first Director of the Essex County Division of Youth Services; the late Adrian M. Foley, Jr., who served as Essex County Surrogate; the late Samuel Brummer, owner of Hobby’s Delicatessen and veteran who landed at D-Day during World War II; the late Cephas Bowles, longtime WBGO Executive Director; the late Larrie West Stalks, former Essex County Register; the late Clement A. Price, Rutgers University History Professor and Newark and Essex County Historian; the late D. Bilal Beasley, Irvington City Councilman and Essex County Freeholder; the late Raymond Durkin, long-time Chairman of the Essex County Democratic Committee and New Jersey Democratic Party; the late Philip Thigpen, Essex County Register and long-time Essex County Democratic Committee Chairman; the late Thomas Durkin, a prominent Essex County attorney; the late Lena Donaldson Griffith, a cultural arts and civil rights pioneer in Newark and Essex County; the late Raymond Brown, a civil rights leader and long-time attorney; the late Superior Court Justice Thomas “Timmy” McCormack, who was one of the authors of the County’s current Administrative Code and Freeholder By-Laws; the late John Alati, who was a former government official and co-owner of LaGuardia Entertainment: the late Wynona Lipman, who was the first female African American to serve in the NJ State Senate; the late Casto Maldonado, who was the President and CEO of FOCUS Hispanic Center for Community Development, Inc., and the late Calvin West, who was the first African American to serve as an At-Large Councilman in Newark.
In addition, several buildings and open spaces in the Essex County Government Complex have been named after prominent people who have influenced the development of Essex County. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Justice Building and a 20-foot bronze statue honor Civil Rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; the park next to the Historic Courthouse and statue in front of the Hall of Records honor Barringer High School graduate and U.S. Supreme Court Justice William J. Brennan, Jr.; a plaza in front of the Essex County Veterans Courthouse and a statue honor Civil Rights pioneer Rosa Parks; the plaza in front of the LeRoy Smith Public Safety Building and a statue honor the late Congressman Donald M. Payne, Sr., who was the first African American Congressman in New Jersey; the plaza at the south entrance of the Veterans Courthouse and a statue honor former New Jersey Governor and Essex County Prosecutor Brendan Byrne; and the plaza in the Essex County Veterans Memorial Park and a statue honor the late Jorge Oliveira, a 10-year veteran of the Essex County Sheriff’s Office who was killed while serving his country in Afghanistan. The Veterans Courthouse and the Essex County Veterans Memorial Park are named as a tribute to the men and women who have defended our country and freedoms while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. The Essex County LeRoy F. Smith, Jr., Public Safety Building is named for LeRoy Smith, a Newark resident who served as Deputy Director of Emergency Medical Services for the University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey for 38 years before retiring in 2007. The 14th floor conference center in the LeRoy Smith Building is named for the late Lt. Governor Sheila Y. Oliver, who was the first African American woman to serve as Assembly Speaker and the first African American woman elected as Lt. Governor. In Brennan Park is a monument recognizing the late Charles Cummings, who served as the official Newark historian and librarian with the Newark Public Library for over 40 years. The plaza in front of the Historic Courthouse is named for former Essex County Prosecutor James Lordi. The lobby of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Justic Building also features bronze busts of Congressman and Civil Rights leader John Lewis, Supreme Court Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Thurgood Marshall and Sonya Sotomayor, Congressman Peter Rodino, Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver and Civil Rights leader Rabbi Joachim Prinz.
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