It truly was a night to remember. Ambassador Young recalled the genesis of OIC and acknowledged that Dr. Sullivan was helping urban "brothers" and "sisters" before Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his disciples began their journey seeking justice for people of color and the poor in general. Mr. Young was one of Dr. Kings most trusted advisors.

The black tie gala was hosted by WBLS radio personality Hal Jackson, the 91 years young Hal Jackson, thank you very much. It was a packed house with entertainment by Anthony Cruz, Kelly Price and Ron Grant during the VIP reception. The performers for the main event included singers Al Jarreau, KEM and Rachelle Ferrell. Prominent area residents were saluted for their giving spirits in the persons of the honorable Paterson Mayor Joey Torres; Mike Jackson, owner of the On the Job Sports Café; 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, of Bergen Regional Medical Center. All exemplify the Sullivan spirit - helping those who need assistance.

Small in stature, Nutter 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 ever since. My involvement with the agency has been a long one, too- more than 25 years. Who knows where Mr. Nutter will take the Greater Paterson OIC. When he came here to become OIC’s executive director 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. May your stewardship continue to be a long one. As a former OIC counselor I have watched both men and women come through the doors beaten psychologically, recently released from jail, on welfare, etc. Most leave changed from the inside out, ready to meet a world they previously didn't know existed.

With Nutter's 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.