Wednesday, January 9, 2002
Former Atlantic City Mayor and educator James L. Usry and local historian Sid Trusty will be honored for their significant service to the community at Atlantic County's 15th annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Birthday Celebration on Friday, January 18 at 11 AM in the auditorium of the County Office Building, 1333 Atlantic Avenue, Atlantic City.
County Executive Dennis Levinson, who will present the honorees with their awards, said, "I can not think of two more deserving individuals than Jim Usry and Sid Trusty. Each has left his mark on Atlantic City and has contributed to the betterment of our community."
Jim Usry became Atlantic City's first African-American Mayor in 1984 following a career in education as a teacher and principal. Prior to his career in public service, Usry played basketball for the New York City Renaissance, the nation's first all-black professional team, and later for the world renowned Harlem Globetrotters. As Mayor, Usry guided the city he had grown up in through a period of rapid growth and development.
Sid Trusty is considered by many as the "Mayor of Kentucky Avenue." Trusty began as a jazz musician in the Kentucky Avenue clubs: Club Harlem, The Cotton Club, Harry's Bar and more. He also began collecting and documenting items concerning African-Americans and the world famous entertainers he encountered at these clubs. In 1991 his concept of a local black history museum was born. With the help of Willie Gainer the Kentucky Avenue Museum came to fruition.
The keynote address will be provided by Reverend Forrest Watson, III, the Senior Vice President of Reliance Healthcare Group in Pleasantville and a former financial planner.
For more information, please contact Howard J. Kyle, Chief of Staff, at (609) 343-2368.