US. Ambassador Andrew Young strutted on to the stage of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark and lauded the priceless contributions of the late Dr. Leon Sullivan (19222001), affectionately known for years as the “Lion of Zion.” The great minister was the pastor of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Philadelphia, serving as its under shepherd from 1970 to 1988, when he retired and moved to Phoenix, AZ.

Dr. Sullivan was the founder of the Opportunities Industrialization Center, Inc. (OIC), in Philadelphia and the self-help organization has become a worldwide entity serving as a conduit for those who need a second chance. And don’t we all from time to time?
The extravagant gala was held on September 29, touting the 35 years of service given by the Greater Paterson OIC under both the guiding hand and tutelage of a giant called Harvey Nutter. It truly was a night to remember. Ambassador Young recalled the genesis of OIC and also acknowledged that Dr.
Sullivan was on the road of helping urban “brothers” and “sisters” before Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his disciples, Young being one of them, began their journey of seeking justice for people of color and the poor in general.
Harvey Nutter is a visionary. He came aboard the OIC goodwill train some 29 years ago and the community-based organization has been an oasis in the asphalt jungle of Paterson, NJ.
Often times his vast dreams have not always been embraced immediately because he’s sometimes years ahead of his time. And, others find themselves coming along kicking and screaming but are glad they took the plunge with him because his efforts always spell e-x-c-e-l-l-e-n-c-e.
The black tie gala was hosted by WBLS radio personality Hal Jackson—the 91 years young Hal Jackson—thank you very much.
And, the performers included singers Al Jarreau, KEM and Rachelle Ferrell. Prominent area politicians and businessmen also were touted for their giving spirits in the persons of the honorable Paterson Mayor Joey Torres, Mike Jackson, owner of the On the Job Sports Cafe, the honorable Chairman of the Passaic County Democratic Committee John Currie, Dr. Michael E. Glascoe, State District Superintendent, Paterson Public Schools, William L. Ayers, Jr., of The Ayers Group/Kelly Services and Merlyn V. LaPaix, Bergen Regional Medical Center. All exemplify the Sullivan spirit of helping those who need such assistance.

It was a packed house with entertainment by Anthony Cruz, Kelly Price and Ron Grant during the VIP reception. Who knows where Nutter is going to take the Greater Paterson OIC. My involvement with the agency has been a long one now. More than 25 years. When this executive director came to the City of Paterson there were other OIC agencies in Newark, New York and Southern, NJ.
Today, the Greater Paterson OIC is the one still standing. It’s not there because Nutter lucked out. He is a methodical thinker, a masterful politician in his own right and just a plain decent man.
God bless you, Harvey and may your stewardship continue to be a long one.
I am a former counselor of that agency and have watched both men and women come through those doors beaten psychologically, recently released from jail, on welfare and most leave chanced from the inside out ready to meet a world they previously didn’t know existed.
With Nutter’s competent staff and his brilliance, the Greater Paterson OIC will continue to be just what the doctor ordered, Dr. Leon Sullivan, that is. And, God will be pleased.