North Ward Center Executive Director Honored by Thurgood Marshall College Fund

Dr. Adrianne Davis, the co-founder and executive director of The North Ward Center in Newark, was honored by the Thurgood Marshall College Fund at its 14th Annual Awards of Excellence dinner.

Davis was honored along with Patrick C. Dunican Jr, the chairman and managing partner of Gibbons; Kevin H. Marino, the founder and principal of Marino, Tortorella & Boyle; and U.S. District Court Judge Michael A. Shipp.

“It is with great pleasure that we pay tribute to the outstanding honorees who have achieved excellence in their respective fields and who exemplify Justice Thurgood Marshall’s passion for civil rights, justice and education,” said Johnny C. Taylor Jr., the president and CEO of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.

The awards were created in 2000 to recognize individuals who serve as role models through their significant achievement in a chosen field, through community service, or by exemplifying Justice Thurgood Marshall’s commitment to justice, civil rights and education.

Davis has been associated with The North Ward Center since its founding in 1970. She has served in a variety of roles with the organization and was named its executive director in 2008.

“It’s truly an honor to be recognized in the presence of so many distinguished guests,” Davis said as she accepted the award at the March 13 dinner held at Nanina’s in the Park in Belleville. “I am humbled to be honored in the company of the other honorees.”

Davis has a long record of accomplishment as an educator, administrator and an elected official. She began her career as a teacher at West Side High School, where she taught business courses. She joined The North Ward Center full time as an administrator in 1973.

“Both of our organizations understand the importance of education for the minority populations that we serve,” Davis said. “We both understand that minority children have traditionally been underserved. And that’s why both of our organizations seek to increase educational opportunities for young minority children.”

Davis was presented the award by Dr. Stephen N. Adubato, Jr., who credited her for continuing the mission of The North Ward Center.

“It was truly an honor to present Adrianne Davis with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund Award of Excellence,” Adubato said. “I applaud Adrianne for her commitment to making a difference in the lives of children and young adults in Newark and it was a pleasure to be a small part of such an amazing event.”

Davis was elected to the Essex County Freeholder Board in 1982 and served for two terms before being appointed Clerk to the board in 1989, where she remained until her retirement in 2008.

Throughout her career, Davis continued to play an active role in education. She worked as an adjunct professor at the County College of Morris and in 1979, she was named chair of the Board of Trustees of Essex County College. She was awarded an honorary doctorate from the college in 2008.

Davis also serves as Vice President of the Robert Treat Academy Charter School Board of Trustees, Vice President of the Essex County Vocational Schools Board of Education and served as a board member of Christ the King Preparatory School in Newark.

Stephen N. Adubato, the founder of The North Ward Center, was honored by the Thurgood Marshal College Fund in 2010. Adubato said the recognition Davis  received from the Fund is well deserved.

“I can think of no one better to be recognized by the Thurgood Marshall College Fund than Adrianne,” Adubato Sr. said. “She has dedicated her career to creating opportunities for those struggling in Newark.”

At the dinner, Philip Thigpen Sr., the immediate past chair of the Essex County Democratic Committee, was also honored posthumously.

Funds raised from the Thurgood Marshall College Fund Awards of Excellence dinner help support students at the Fund’s 47 member-schools that include public Historically Black Colleges and Universities, medical schools and law schools.