New Haven Register (Sunday) (New Haven, CT)
‘Encouragers’ honored at Black Heritage celebration
WEST HAVEN — Without the support of Robbin Watt Hamilton, several West Haven elected officials would likely be somewhere else.
“Because of women like her, I am here today,” said Trenee McGee, the state’s youngest Black female state representative who represents West Haven.
Jonathan Jones, who serves on the city’s Board of Education, said that it was Watt Hamilton’s behind the scenes encouragement that helped to get him involved.
Watt Hamilton, a former city councilwoman honored Thursday at West Haven’s 28th Annual Black Heritage Celebration, said she stands on the shoulders of people like Ernestine Jackson.
“She was an upstanding pillar of the community with a sweet spirit who always gave me encouraging words,” she said. “She lives in my heart forever.”
Watt Hamilton was the West Haven Black Heritage Committee’s first ever Ernestine Jackson Citizen of Distinction Award recipient; the previous 27 celebrations honored a citizen of the year. Jackson, who died last April, was a charter member of the Black Heritage Committee.
“Ernestine was an encourager,” said Jones.
West Haven Mayor Dorinda Borer said it was Jackson who was among those who approached former Mayor Richard Borer, the current mayor’s exhusband, to request that the city recognize the city’s Black heritage.
“It’s only fitting that it’s named for her,” Borer said. “She was a fierce advocate and a great family woman.”
Jackson served on the Board of Health and was very involved with her church Immanuel Baptist Church in New Haven. Her son Herbert briefly told the crowd that his mother loved the city of West Haven.
Steven Mullins, president of the Black Heritage Committee, said he knew Jackson from when he was a teenager and would bag her groceries.
“She gave so much to the community and the Black community in general,” he said. “She was very politically active and very knowledgeable.”
Watt Hamilton said she has learned a lot from her younger brother Brent Watt, who was previously honored as the African American Citizen of the Year in 2016.
“He loved serving on the City Council because it was serving his community. I too love serving the community,” she said.
Watt Hamilton said she gets happiness and purpose from volunteering at Vertical Church’s Dream Center, describing the sensation of finding a winter hat for someone in need in their favorite shade of purple. She encouraged everyone else to act in service to others.
“You won’t regret it, and you too will experience the happiness effect,” she said.
Watt Hamilton came to politics reluctantly, initially ascending to councilwoman to complete the term of her brother, who died in 2016. At the time of her brother’s death in 2016, he was the city’s only sitting Black councilman. At Thursday’s ceremony, Watt Hamilton was joined by McGee, Katherine Tucker, D-7, and her 5th District successor Mackie McMillian, three Black council representatives elected after Watt Hamilton.
“Robbin accepted the call having no political aspirations, no political background and no political agenda,” McMillian said at the ceremony. “Her only intention was to carry on the work of her brother. Knowing Robbin, she is a person comfortable being in the background and out of the spotlight with no mic, and offstage she’ll help you in any way she can behind the scenes.”
However, McMillian said Watt Hamilton soon learned to become an outspoken advocate for her community and united 5th District residents politically, having spearheaded the dedication of Brent Watt Park and arranging Christmas tree lightings, council dinners and starting the city’s annual Juneteenth celebration. He said she made it a point to always insist that the city’s Allingtown neighborhood not be overlooked or forgotten for street paving, snow plowing or the allocation of city resources.
In addition to Watt Hamilton, three exemplary West Haven High School students — Dana Davis-Anagboso, Alison Frazer and Da’ron Markell Tucker — received honors and scholarship money.