NEWARK, NJ — Michellene Davis, a senior executive at RWJBarnabas Health, recently earned the “Thurgood Marshall Award of Excellence for New Jersey” from the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.
According to a news release, the award is presented annually to an individual who “exemplifies the late Justice Marshall’s passion for civil rights, justice and education.”
This year’s awards – which are presented within the greater Newark community – also honored:
- Former governor Brendan Byrne (posthumously)
- Former NJ Public Advocate and dean of Rutgers University School of Law, Ron Chen
- Richard Thigpen, SVP, Corporate Citizenship, PSE&G
A reception and ceremony was held at Nanina’s in the Park in Belleville.
“This award means so much to me because Justice Marshall embodied that which the premise of my life’s work is premised upon, such as advocacy, education, justice and civil rights,” Davis said. “I am honored that my very small contributions were deemed worthy of this amazing award.”
The Award of Excellence is given out by the Thurgood Marshall College Fund which was established in 1987. The fund provides support for historically black colleges and universities (HBCU) and predominately black institutions. The award event also raises funds to support students attending those institutions.
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