By Comatha B. JohnsonSpecial to the AFRO
On Dec. 13, 2023, the Rev. Dr. J. Jerome Newton made historical past as the primary African American to be sworn in as mayor of the city of Mount Olive, N.C., because it was integrated in 1870.
Newton, a Mount Olive native and a retired Marine Corps officer, took the oath of workplace within the Southern Financial institution Auditorium on the College of Mount Olive campus. District Courtroom Decide Erika James officiated Newton’s swearing in at 1:30 p.m.
Dr. Newton served honorably for 20-plus years in quite a few locations overseas—Japan, Korea, Philippines, Thailand, Italy and Republic of Panama, to call just a few. Upon his retirement, he taught college at grade ranges Okay-12 in Maryland for eight years and served three years as a small enterprise specialist within the Workplace of the Deputy Secretary of Training in Washington, D.C.
An ordained minister, Newton is the founding pastor of Rock Of Religion Christian Church, now relocated to Mount Olive, North Carolina, from Clinton Maryland. He has served as an adjunct professor of faith on the College of Mount Olive. He’s a lifetime member of Carver Alumni and Mates Affiliation and at the moment serves as nationwide president. Newton can also be a printed creator.
Newton’s academic background include:
Southern Wayne Excessive College, Dudley, N.C.
Bachelor of Science Diploma-Winston Salem State College, Winston Salem, North Carolina
Superior Navy Coaching In: Training, Amphibious Warfare, Advance Officer Communication Course, Command and Workers Faculty Coaching.
Grasp of Divinity Diploma-Howard College, Washington, DC
Physician of Ministry Diploma-Virginia Union College, Richmond, Virginia
In his message to the residents and friends attending his swearing in, Newton mentioned: “I’m extraordinarily humbled but profoundly grateful for the boldness that the city of Mount Olive has positioned in me.
“Mount Olive has turn into a melting pot of jap North Carolina…, wealthy with completely different backgrounds and cultures like African People, Caucasians, Haitians, Hispanics, Asians and extra,” he continued. “We’re all a part of this group and we should acknowledge and embrace all.
Newton inspired residents to embrace his aim of guaranteeing “One Neighborhood, One City, One Mount Olive.”
“Let this be our coming of age as we companion, construct, and domesticate our city collectively to make it higher,” he concluded. “We are able to do that if all of us work collectively. It’s not about Newton. It’s about us.”
