Cathy Stephenson Smith is a lifelong resident of Montclair, New Jersey, whose deep-rooted

commitment to her community and heritage has shaped much of her personal and professional life. A

proud graduate of Montclair High School, Cathy furthered her education at Morgan State University,

where she cultivated a passion for community service and leadership.

In 1994, Cathy began her journey as a volunteer with The Montclair African-American Parade & Festival

Committee (MAAHF). What started as a simple volunteer role quickly evolved into a more significant

involvement as she played a crucial part in the growth of the organization. Initially, Cathy helped sell

festival T-shirts and soon became the Chairperson of the T-shirt Committee. Her dedication and

leadership were recognized as she took on roles in MAAHF's Marketing and Branding efforts, event

fundraising, and ultimately joined the Executive Board.

Throughout her years with the organization, Cathy was instrumental in organizing several signature

fundraisers, including the Harlem Renaissance Awards & Dinner Banquet, the MAAHF Ad Journal, the

MAAHF Golf Classic, and Men Who Cook. These events have not only helped raise funds but have also

become key moments in Montclair’s cultural calendar, showcasing Cathy’s ability to merge community-

building with creative vision.

Her work with MAAHF extended beyond event planning; Cathy continued to contribute to the festival’s

success through her work on posters, T-shirts, and assisting with parade and festival planning and

execution. Her commitment to the festival and the Montclair African-American community has made

her a pivotal figure in the organization’s ongoing success.

In addition to her work with MAAHF, Cathy is the Vice President of the Board for Friends of Howe

House, an organization dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich history of Montclair. She is also an

active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., where she continues to contribute to the service of

her community.

Cathy Stephenson Smith’s legacy is one of unwavering dedication, leadership, and service to Montclair,

particularly to its African-American community. Through her volunteerism, event planning, and

commitment to local history and culture, Cathy has proven to be an invaluable asset to both Montclair

and the organizations she serves.

Weatau E. McPherson is a native of Montclair, New Jersey, and graduated from Montclair High

School in 1974. Following high school, she attended Essex County College in Newark, NJ, and

Upsala College in East Orange, NJ. Although she initially aspired to become a computer

programmer, she worked part-time at Montclair Day Nurseries in Montclair, NJ, to support her

education. Her favorite subject was math, and even though her career in computer

programming did not materialize, she utilized her skills with computer systems and numbers

throughout her career.

Her math skills proved valuable in various roles, including part-time positions as a tax preparer

at H&R Block and as a bookkeeper for Union Gardens in Montclair. Weatau's first full-time job

was with TRW in Fairfield, NJ, where she worked for 10 years using computer software to

remotely load crashed POS systems nationwide. She then moved on to Panasonic, where she

has been working for 37 years as a Senior Program Analyst. In this role, she supports over 600

resellers by managing numerous sales incentive programs and analytic reporting.

In her community, Weatau has been a member of St. Paul Baptist Church, Montclair, NJ for 56

years and has served as an usher for over 37 years, among other activities. In 1992, she moved

from Montclair, NJ, to West Orange, NJ, and began volunteering with the Montclair African-

American Heritage Parade & Festival. After starting as a volunteer, she took on various roles

and eventually became the Parade Chairperson for four years. The committee became

incorporated in 2014, and became their treasurer, for the Montlcair African-American Heritage

Foundation, Inc. In 2024, Weatau was elected as the West Orange 3rd Ward Democratic Leader

for the Essex County Democratic Committee. Weatau loves people and is always willing to

support family and friends.

Weatau is a proud mother of one son, Ryan S. McPherson. As a single mother, she holds onto

strong faith in God and believes that He can lift you up at all times. Her favorite scripture is

Isaiah 41:10: "Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will

hold you with my victorious right hand."

Homer C. Robinson was affectionately known as “Mr. Robb” or “Coach Robb” by many members of the

Montclair community. He was born in Elizabeth, NJ on April 21, 1937 and grew up in Vauxhall, NJ. He

was a graduate of Union High School in 1955 and served in the United States military as a commissioned

officer in the army through ROTC at Morgan State (College) University. During his college years he was a

talented player on the Morgan State football team and an active member of the Omega Psi Phi

Fraternity, Inc. He graduated from Morgan State University with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in health

and physical education.

In 1964, Mr. Robb began his tenure in the Montclair Public Schools. He was a health and physical

education teacher at Hillside (Grammar) School for a number of years and then transitioned to the same

role at Montclair High School. He took a short break from teaching to serve as the director at the South

West School for a short period of time before returning to teaching health and physical education at

Montclair High School.  Homer Robinson was a key figure in the Montclair High School Varsity lacrosse

team becoming the first lacrosse dynasty in the Northeast region of the United States. He coached the

Varsity lacrosse team alongside Gil Gibbs; and served as the JV Head Coach with an astonishing final

record of 110 wins and 11 losses over a ten-year span. He led the JV lacrosse team to eight consecutive

JV State Championships from 1971 to 1978. Homer Robinson was initiated into the New Jersey Lacrosse

Hall of Fame as their “Man of the Year”, posthumously, in 1999.

Coach Robb was also the defensive coordinator for the Montclair High School varsity football team from

1968 to 1998 and coached many teams to the NJ Football State Championship. As a result of his

dedication to the Montclair High School Football program, he helped four new head coaches make

successful transitions into the Mounties program. As a teacher and coach - Mr. Robb most notably

touched the lives of so many who attended the Montclair Public Schools. For generations of students

and athletes in Montclair, his brand of tough love and his passion for family, faith, and love placed him

in the “gap” for many students of all races, colors, and creeds as a father-figure, role model, and

mentor. He served the Montclair Public Schools as a health and physical education teacher, driver’s

education instructor, lacrosse and football coach, track and field timekeeper, table tennis club advisor,

and department chair of the physical education department. He retired from the Montclair Public

Schools in 1996.

Mr. Robb was a man of faith and believed in the power of prayer and the love of God. He was a member

of St. Paul Baptist Church in Montclair and served faithfully on the usher board. He was an avid sports

fan and would never pick a favorite team, he always just wanted “to see a good game.” Homer C.

Robinson was blessed with four beautiful children - Mrs. Dawn L. Taylor (Robinson), Mr. Darrow N.

Robinson, Mr. Todd C. Robinson, and Dr. Kimberly Robinson Santos. He was also the doting grandfather

to six grandchildren - Dr. Kera C. Street, Paul E. Taylor III, Taqi N. Robinson, Michael A. Santos, Jr., Sydnie

F. Taylor, and Devinne K. Santos. Homer C. Robinson left a legacy in the township of Montclair, NJ that

continues to live on to this very day.

In 1916, a small group of black townspeople came together to protest the atrocities being

perpetrated against members of their race, and the Montclair Branch NAACP was born.

This was 7 years after the National Organization was founded. The first President was Rev.

Fred Handy, pastor of St. Mark’s Methodist Church. Mrs. Atlanta Lipscomb was elected

secretary, and Albert Terry became the first Treasurer. In the ensuing years, Presidents

were Dr. Edgar S. Ballou, Mrs. Mary Allen, Arthur Williams, George Wibecan, Leo Marsh,

Joseph Green, George Rice, George Palmer, Mrs. Octavia Carlett, Dr. Ferdinand Williams,

Richard Johnson, Raoul Howard, Rev. Marvin A McMickle, Mrs. Garvice Reid, James E.

Harris, W. Shirley Davenport, Albertus Jenkins, Ms. Patricia Sturdivant-Little, James E.

Harris, David Heron, Beverly A Bussey, Ruth C. Taylor, and currently, Thomas L. Reynolds,

Albert E. Pelham, Roger Terry, and Diane Anglin. In the 1960’s, the branch questioned the

adequacy of an under populated junior high school and joined with Parents School

Emergency committee to lead the three-day boycott and demonstration which was

successful in achieving token school integration. In 1966, community frustration and

impatience over the slowness in correcting quality and racial balance in the education

system, resulted in cour suit. The suit resulted in policies regarding de-facto segregation in

school districts. The Montclair NAACP continues to monitor the educational system and

respond to issues that affect the quality of education through its Education Committee. The

Montclair Branch has influenced the election of black persons to position in local

government, the revision of the structure of municipal government, urban renewal, senior

citizen housing, health services and voter education/registration. The Montclair Youth

Council makes it possible for local youth to become actively involved in the struggle for civil

rights at the local, regional, state and national levels. The Branch has organized and

implemented S.A.T. preparation workshops for high school students and sponsored a Youth

Speak-Out Forum in 1988, in an effort to encourage young adults to express their concerns

and develop resolutions for problems facing them. The annual Martin Luther King Day

celebration is open to all citizens of the community. Annually, the Montclair branch awards

two scholarships to two senior students within the Montclair area. The Branch has formed

coalitions with fraternal and community groups and organizations to sponsor forums and

activities of interest to members and the community. In addition, the Branch has found an

increasing number of opportunities to support the programs of local groups, whose efforts

are in concert with the ideals and mission of the NAACP. In recent years, the Branch has

worked closely with the National Council on Negro Women, Inc (NCNW), The League of

Women Voters, The Montclair Senior Housing Corporation, The Montclair Neighborhood

Development Corporation, The Fourth Ward Collaborative, the Urban League, local

sororities, fraternities and churches. Members of the Branch represent the NAACP on

various community boards and committees. The Thurgood Marshall Freedom Fund Dinner

and Awards Ceremony marks that time of year when the Montclair Branch NAACP honors

those members of the organization and community who have consistently contributed their

time and effort towards fostering the goal and mission of the NAACP in the continuing

struggle for civil and human rights.

Stephen Eric Swinton was born in Newark, New Jersey on Christmas Day, December 25, 1964. He attended

Vailsburg High School where he met his wife Nita and was captain of the basketball team, graduating from the

class of 1983. He earned a spot on the basketball team at Montclair State University, and in 1987, he became

part of the inaugural class to receive a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the institution. In the same year, he founded

Swinton Studio, where, for over 35 years, the award-winning design, marketing, and interactive studio served

a range of clients, from nonprofits and entrepreneurs to Fortune 500 companies. Some of his clients include

Newark Symphony Hall, UniverSoul Circus, Atlantic Records, USPS, Virgin Airlines, Burger King and Coca-Cola.

Through Swinton Studio he has created (but not limited to) custom apparel, uniforms, signage, awards,

website design and hosting, book and CD covers, logo and branding, content strategy and planning,

advertising, model searching, marketing, invitations, posters, and billboards. He has received industry design

awards on every level. Some of his projects include:

 Creating the Opening Night Poster for the New Jersey Performing Arts Center to celebrate its

Inaugural Season

 Designing and publishing What Would Yogi Do?, a book on Yogi Berra by John D. McCarthy

 Branding the Montclair State University Basketball Alumni and the Fred Hill Foundation annual

holiday tournament with the logo design, event journal and promotional materials

 Conducting the national model search and creating the billboard & poster campaigns and in-store

promotions for Colt, one of the nation's oldest breweries

He married his high school sweetheart and traveling partner, Nita, in 1989, before welcoming twin daughters,

Nakia and Erica, in 1994. 

Stephen is a past Grand Master of the Eureka Lodge #2 and past Grand Master of Ezeikel Grand Lodge AF&AM

Inc. of New Jersey. He deeply valued community and provided his service and duties through the Masons, as

well as serving on the Washington Township Land Use Board. Additionally, he was an inaugural member of the

Montclair African - American Heritage Foundation and each year he created innovative designs and logos for

its annual parade. 

Stephen will be remembered for his artistic design, his community service, the love he has for friends and

family, and of course, his ability to make anyone laugh.

Stephen transitioned into his eternal life on Monday, September 16, 2024. He was preceded in death by his

father Leroy Swinton and brother Michael Swinton. Stephen leaves to cherish in his memory, a loving wife of

35 years Nita Swinton, mother: Minnie Louise Swinton, two daughters: Nakia and Erica Swinton, two sisters:

Yolanda and Ingrid Swinton, and two brothers: Derius and Kelvin Swinton. He shared a special bond with his

nephews Troy and Andrew Hurdle whom he cherished as sons. He is also survived by seven additional

nephews, five nieces, and a host of aunts, uncles, other relatives, and friends.