essex county commissioners honor community leaders for lgbtq pride month

L to R: Comm'r President Carlos Pomares, Comm'r A'Dorian Murray-Thomas, Comm'r Brendan Gill, Director of the Essex County Office of LGBTQ Affairs Reggie Bledsoe, Angelica Midolo of Nutley Pride, Comm'r Leonard Luciano, Paul Blank of Nutley Pride, Jack Denelsbeck of Pet Wants SOMA, Kristine-Ellis Petrik and Dr. Jodie Dawson of Java Love, Leslie Farber, Esq., Comm'r Patricia Sebold, Comm'r Wayne Richardson, Bloomfield Councilwoman Monica Charris Tabares, Comm'r Vice President Tyshammie Cooper.

(Newark, NJ) – On Wednesday, June 25, the Essex County Board of County Commissioners held its third annual LGBTQ Pride Month celebration. The Board acknowledged outstanding queer community members throughout the County, and re-affirmed their commitment that Essex County is a welcoming, inclusive place to live and work for all identities and orientations.

The honorees this year included Newark Pride, Nutley Pride, Dr. Jodie Thorz Dawson and Kristine-Ellis Petrik of Java Love Coffee Roasters in Montclair, Jack Denelsbeck and Jonathan Javins of Pet Wants SOMA in South Orange, and Leslie Farber, Esq., co-chair of the Essex County LGBTQ Advisory Board. The Spectrum Club of Columbia High School in Maplewood was also recognized, although they were not able to attend the event.

“There is a long history around the world of queer people being forced to deny who they are and who they love,” said Commissioner President Carlos M. Pomares. “While the fight for acceptance is not over, today in Essex, things are different. We are proud to celebrate Pride Month, and declare that we are not just allies but defenders of our LGBTQ friends, family, and neighbors. Congratulations to all our honorees, and thank you for all you do!”

Musical accompaniment was provided by Haneefah James of the Aurway Ensemble.

See more pictures of the event here. Watch a recording of the event here.

Honorees:

Newark Pride, presented by Commissioner A’Dorian Murray-Thomas, was founded in 2005 by June Dowell-Burton in direct response to the tragic 2003 murder of 15-year-old Sakia Gunn, a Black lesbian teenager who was killed in a hate crime while returning home to Newark. Sakia’s death shook the community and revealed the urgent need for greater visibility, protection, and celebration of LGBTQIA+ lives—especially those of queer and trans youth of color. Out of that grief and resolve, Newark Pride was born as a movement rooted in both remembrance and resistance. Over the past two decades, Newark Pride has grown into a cornerstone of advocacy, culture, and community empowerment, organizing year-round programs and an annual festival that uplifts the vibrancy, resilience, and diversity of LGBTQIA+ Newarkers. In 2025, Newark Pride proudly commemorated its 20th anniversary during its annual Newark Pride Festival, honoring the legacy of Sakia Gunn and all those who have paved the way for the continued fight for justice, joy, and liberation. The Mission of Newark Pride is to increase awareness of the LGBTQ+ community by providing education, advocating for social justice, increasing progressive public policy, and developing opportunities for empowerment through fellowship. The Newark Pride Executive Board includes President Alonzo S. Blalock, Vice President of Operations Jaivon Lewis, Vice President of Programming Kareem Willis, PhD, Financial Secretary Christene Carr, and Executive Secretary Darrius W. Edwards, MA..

Nutley Pride, presented by Commissioner President Carlos Pomares, was founded in 2019, when a dream took root in the township of Nutley — a dream of a community where LGBTQ+ friends, family, and neighbors in Nutley and Essex County felt fully embraced. That dream is now the heart of everything Nutley Pride does. Nutley Pride is a safe and loving space for the LGBTQ+ community and allies to come together, share their stories, and celebrate the gift of their authentic selves. From a single voice to a proud chorus, Nutley Pride is dedicated to creating positive change, providing a shoulder to lean on, and joyfully celebrating the diverse tapestry of the Nutley community. Here, you are not just welcome; you are home. Nutley Pride is led by Executive Director Angelica Midolo, and Community Engagement Director Paul Blank.

Dr. Jodie Thorz Dawson and Kristine-Ellis Petrik, presented by Commissioner Brendan W. Gill, are co-owners of Java Love Coffee Roasting Co. in Montclair. Dr. Jodie Thorz Dawson, Psy.D., CPCC, worked as a psychologist and certified life coach for over 15 years in the field of Attention Deficit Disorders and Learning Disabilities with women, youth, and families, until her hobby became a full-time endeavor and business venture. Kristine-Ellis Petrik worked for 24 years as a journalist and executive at CNN before she and her spouse Dr. Dawson began their current venture with Java Love. In 2011, partners Dr. Dawson and Ms. Petrik took on the challenge of opening a small-batch, organic coffee roasting company to fulfill a lifelong dream of opening a small business as well as being part of the economic development of their communities. They were guided not by a detailed business plan, but by a shared passion for community and connection. Since that time, the company has become an LGBTQ Certified Business Enterprise, and serves as a leading business in Essex County for creating safe spaces for the queer community. What began as a romantic idea has blossomed into a beloved local institution, with multiple locations in Montclair, a thriving online and wholesale presence, and a roastery in nearby Woodland Park. Dr. Dawson’s driving force keeps the company’s mission and vision at the forefront while managing all operations, staff, community relationships and wholesale customers. Although no longer involved in the day-to-day operations, Kristine remains deeply connected to the spirit of Java Love—curating coffee, training staff, and nurturing the welcoming, inclusive atmosphere the company is known for. Together, they have built more than a business — they’ve created spaces where people feel seen, valued, and, above all, loved. Because sometimes, sharing coffee truly is the best way to share love. Dr. Dawson and Ms. Petrik and their two daughters have lived in Montclair for 17 years, and are committed to advancing LGBTQIA+ communities and agendas within Essex County and New Jersey.

Jack Denelsbeck & Jonathan Javins, presented by Commissioner Vice President Tyshammie L. Cooper, met in 1997 in a Brooklyn Heights coffeehouse and immediately fell in love. After they moved in together, they would sit in the windowsill, look at the abandoned antique stores across the street of their Atlantic Avenue apartment, and daydream of opening their own pet shop. That dream was put on hold while they spent two decades building their professional careers in New York City – Jack in LGBTQ+ non-profit program management, and Jonathan in corporate team leadership and luxury retail. Jack and Jonathan moved to the Northern New Jersey suburbs in 2006. All their free time was spent volunteering for over a decade with Garden State Equality: engaging NJ elected officials to build intersectional coalitions for LGBTQ+ marriage equality, anti-bullying initiatives and transgender equality in the workplace. When the global recession hit in 2015, they decided it was time to make a big change in their professional lives. Around this time, Jonathan and Jack were offered the opportunity to join the Pet Wants family and finally fulfill their dream of opening their own pet shop. Pet Wants SOMA is an LGBTQ+ founded, independently owned and operated local brick and mortar pet business that provides proprietary dog and cat food, made fresh monthly and sold by the pound. They offer premium private label treats, house made jerky, hand-stitched and up cycled toys, and homemade balms, salves and sprays for dogs and cats. Pet nutrition is Pet Wants SOMA’s primary focus, offering free nutritional consultations and recommendations to educate customers on why pet food ingredients matter. Jonathan and Jack have been working together full-time for 9 years, organically building their business by word of mouth through their passion for educating people about pet nutrition and continuing to support other local small business owners in the pet industry through referrals. They are affectionately known as “The Pet Shop Boys”.

Leslie A. Farber, Esq., presented by Commissioner Patricia Sebold, is an attorney at law practicing in Montclair, concentrating primarily in the areas of employment law and family law, along with estate planning. Ms. Farber received her law degree in 1991 from Pace University School of Law where she was an editor of the Pace Law Review. She has an undergraduate degree in Political Science from Drew University. She is licensed to practice law in state and federal courts in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania, and the United States Supreme Court. Leslie is Immediate Past President of the National Employment Lawyers of Association-New Jersey. She also was the first chairperson of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights Section of the New Jersey State Bar Association, and is currently a trustee of that Section. She also is a past member of the Board of Trustees of the National LGBT Bar Association. Outside the practice of law, Leslie is a board member of the Garden State Equality Education Fund, co-chair of the Essex County LGBTQ Advisory Board, and was a board member of Out Montclair. Personal interests include playing music, golf, and bicycle riding.

The Spectrum Club, recognized by Commissioner A’Dorian Murray-Thomas, is the student gay-straight alliance club at Columbia High School in Maplewood. At Spectrum, students discuss issues relevant to and in support of students and their families who self-identify as straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or are questioning these issues. The club is a vitally important place of support and inclusion for students exploring their identity and orientation. Spectrum hosts an impressive array of events throughout the year to foster community and belonging with queer and straight students alike. Events include the annual Lavendar Graduation, “Spectrum Screenings” of culturally impactful films with subsequent discussions, talent showcases of club members, open mic nights, political organizing and advocacy for LGBTQ+ youth issues, and much more. 2024-2025 club leadership includes Aster Sigrid Groselink (she/her), Ezra Kaminsky (he/him), and Izzy Sandoval.