COPELAND MEN’S THIRD ANNUAL NIGHT DINNER
On Thursday, November 14, 2024, the Third Annual Men’s Night Dinner was held from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. at Dr. Crosby Copeland, Jr. Elementary School in partnership with the KAPPA ALPHA PSI Fraternity. Approximately two hundred of Copeland’s young men, their fathers, grandfathers, the concerned men in their lives, and community partners all came together to “break bread” and enjoy the camaraderie. The SABLE MUSICALITY performing Jazz Quartet provided outstanding live entertainment. All in attendance made meaningful connections, listened, were inspired, and connected with a variety of successful community members, clergy, professionals, leaders, to recognize our community’s common assets, obligations, responsibilities, common heritage, and our common cultural pride.
Copeland’s Leadership Team has prioritized the partnering with our diverse community leaders, professionals in all career fields, for the purpose of nurturing a school environment that respects all and in furthering those strengths to achieve the success of each of our young people. Inspirational speakers and attendees included Trenton Board of Education members, Vice President Gerald Truehart and Lloyd Austin, Esq. Notable in that collaboration was the involvement of the KAPPA ALPHA Psi Fraternity in making a success of our Third Annual MEN’s NIGHT and Dinner. The following collaborators were appreciably in attendance and included: Andrew Bobbitt representing Mayor Reed Guasciora, Trenton Police Director Steve Wilson, Edward Bullock, President, Trenton Literacy Movement, Howard Crossland, Trenton Public School Teacher (ret), Walter Drew Smith, who coordinates mentoring and career awareness for our young men at Copeland, Rev. Dr. Michael Coe, Pastor, Aaron Brooks, Musician and Trenton administrator, among many others. Also in attendance included Robert Banks, from Human Resources, John Dunston, Math Supervisor, and Abdel Guiterrez, Special Education Director. Aramark Inc. administrators Aldo Como, General Manager, Jamal Tyreek, Food Service Director, who spoke movingly and encouragingly of the importance of determination, hard work and commitment to doing one’s best on the job. Mack Patterson, Area Supervisor, who inspired the audience by relating his proud Trenton roots and opportunities for employment and service.
As we foster the maturation of Copeland’s young men, we recognize the importance of developing, mentoring, and nurturing each of our young men’s social, emotional and academic growth. To that end we have prioritized opportunities for our students to be informed and inspire their future aspirations and life goals. At Dr. Crosby Copeland, Jr. E.S., we truly recognize that school-family-community partnerships are built on mutual trust and respect, and that together we can dramatically prepare our young people to fulfill their fullest potential.
Michael D. Rosenberg