Atlantic County Government Honors Kaleem Shabazz with Their MLK Award!

Two Lifelong County Residents To Receive 2012 MLK Awards

Two lifelong Atlantic County residents who have worked in multiple capacities to improve the lives of their fellow citizens will be honored at Atlantic County's 25th annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Birthday Celebration. The event, to be held at 11 AM on Friday, January 13 at the County Office Building, 1333 Atlantic Avenue, Atlantic City, will celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. King and recognize John McLernon, a licensed clinical social worker and Director, Community Relations and Social Services; and Kaleem Shabazz, community leader and president of Shabazz and Associates.

McLernon is a resident of Northfield who started his career as an Atlantic City Press reporter detailing the social impact of the casino industry on county residents. In 1986 he joined Atlantic County government as a coordinator in the Office on Aging. He would later become a supervisor in the Adult Protective Services Unit where he helped protect residents from abuse, neglect and exploitation. As the coordinator of the Atlantic County Human Services Advisory Council he also helped identify services and funding to meet the unmet needs of county residents. Since 2001 he has served in his current position where he is responsible for administering emergency assistance programs and intervention to at-risk families in addition to implementing discharge planning services for inmates at the county jail that promote successful transitions upon their return to their communities and help to reduce recidivism.

"John embodies the principles upheld by Martin Luther King,” stated Dennis Levinson, Atlantic County Executive. “He continually provides an outstretched hand to lift people up, to encourage them to help themselves, and to embrace a better life. He is one of the most caring and compassionate people with whom I have had the pleasure to know and work. He has never turned his back on anyone.”

Kaleem Shabazz was born and raised in Atlantic City where he continues to reside today. He has devoted himself to many professional and civic organizations. He is the president of Shabazz and Associates and currently serves as a board member for the American Conference on Diversity and as vice president of the Atlantic City Boardwalk Holocaust Memorial organization. He is the former South Jersey Director of the National Conference of Christians and Jews, a past member of the Martin Luther King Commission, and a co-founder of the local African-American Male Conference. He is also a past board member and Executive Director of the Atlantic City Art Center.

"Kaleem is synonymous with Atlantic City. There are very few Atlantic City initiatives that he has not been involved in, especially those that promote education and acceptance of cultural and ethnic diversity. He is well respected and truly dedicated to making a difference in his community and beyond,” said Levinson.

In addition to the presentation of the 2012 MLK Awards, the ceremony will feature a keynote address by Rev. Milton Hendricks, pastor of Faith Baptist Church in Pleasantville and a past MLK award recipient.