William Still, dubbed the father of the Underground Railroad, and his efforts to help enslaved people were recognized last month by Samuel Still III, his second great-grand-nephew, at the Underground Railroad Museum’s annual Black History Month Wall of Honors induction.
The Underground Railroad Museum of Burlington County celebrated several of the county’s trailblazers during Rowan College at Burlington County’s annual Black History Month Wall of Honors induction on Feb. 20.
This year’s inductees are multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and producer Adam Blackstone; Grammy-nominated singer, rapper and songwriter Anthony “Ant” Clemons; Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter Dionne Farris; county Commissioner Director Dr. Felicia Hopson; gospel singer, educator and community servant Rev. Sharon G. Lightsey; and Grammy-winning gospel singer, songwriter and keyboardist Tyrone “Tye” Tribbett.
Past inductees have included former Judge Marie White Bell, the first African American to serve on council and as mayor of Willingboro; Moorestown High alumnus Richard “David” Robinson, the first Black linebacker in the NFL and the first Negro Penn State football player to receive the honor of NEA First team All-American in 1962; and state Sen. Troy Singleton.
“Tonight … I encourage you to see yourself in the legacy and vision of the heroes that you are going to learn about and celebrate,” said Dr. David Spang, Rowan College’s acting president, at the induction. “See yourself in the local and national impact that all good collective efforts have.
“See yourself in the role of inspiring future generations and perhaps, being inspired yourself.”
Guest speaker Samuel Still III is the second great-grand-nephew of Dr. James and William Still, the former a physician and herbalist, the latter an abolitionist. James, a county resident most of his life, was born in 1812 and was known as the Black doctor of the Pines.
Born into poverty and mostly self-educated, he became one of the wealthiest men in the county and owned land along Church Road in Medford from Cross Roads to the intersection of Church and Mount Holly roads, to Wilkins Station. William, James’ brother, was born in 1821 and dubbed the “Father of the Underground Railroad” for the help he provided to escaped enslaved people while risking his own freedom.
After a 40-year search, William located his and James’ brother, Peter, and helped him escape via the Underground Railroad. Both James and William were the youngest of 18 children of Levin and Charity Still. Levin bought his freedom, while Charity escaped slavery in Maryland.
“ … Black history isn’t just 28 days out of the year, it is 365 days of the year,” Still III emphasized. “ … I have been researching and telling my family’s story all (these) years, and I live Black history every day of my life.”
Willingboro native Blackstone was born into a musical family in Trenton. His father Rod was a church organist and his mother sang in the choir. That influenced Blackstone’s early love for music, and his career includes working with Rihanna and Justin Timberlake, among others. He won a Grammy for producing Alicia Keys’ Broadway musical, “Hell’s Kitchen,” and an Emmy for his musical direction of Super Bowl halftime shows.
Blackstone also runs his own production company with his wife Kaisha. BBE (BASSic Black Entertainment) features several up-and-coming pop and R&B acts.
Clemons is also a Willingboro native and a five-time Grammy Award nominee who describes his childhood as a creatively expressive environment. His musical taste was shaped by his parents playing Michael Jackson, The Notorious B.I.G. and Stevie Wonder. He rose to prominence as a guest performer on Kanye West’s 2018 single “All Mine,” and contributed to West’s album, “Jesus is King.”
Besides singing in his church choir – and a budding career as a Michael Jackson impersonator – young Clemons would perform with his sisters Ashley and Amber as the Clemons Trio.
Farris was raised in Bordentown and was introduced to the musical acts that shaped and influenced her mother’s side of the family. She’s known for blending R&B, pop, soul, alternative hip hop, pop rock and jazz, and after moving to Atlanta, she began writing songs for acts such as TLC and singing backgrounds for the likes of Xscape and El Debarge.
Farris first gained attention as the featured vocalist on hip hop group Arrested Development’s hit single “Tennessee” in 1992, and subsequently found solo success with her debut album, “Wild Seed – Wild Flower” in 1994.
Willingboro resident Hopson first took office in 2019 as only the second Black woman in the county’s history elected a commissioner. She served as commissioner director in 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024 and 2025, and is currently board liaison to county administration, the Department of Corrections and the Department of Economic Development.
Hopson also taught at Rowan College at Burlington County, Middlesex County College, Mercer County College, Atlantic County Community College and the University of Phoenix. She was a Willingboro school board member for four years and held the offices of both president and vice-president.
Lightsey, a Willingboro resident for 55 years, dedicated 39 years to its board of education. As a recipient of both the NAACP Award and the Afro One Award, she was recognized for her contributions to social justice and cultural enrichment. She was a steadfast advocate for youth and community development, working to uplift the lives of those around her, and known for her compassionate ministry and unwavering support for families in need.
Lightsey died in 2021, but her family continues to honor her memory through the arts, faith, service and in song.
“Black history … it’s a living, breathing part of the world we move through every single day,” noted Deborah Price, executive director of the Underground Railroad Museum, at the induction. “Black history is American history. The South Jersey region is home to many iconic, historical trailblazers. Some known, some unknown, unfound, silenced, erased and unarchivable.
“Tonight, we honor not only the inductees, but their families …” she added. “The families because (of) their ceaseless support, their spirit, their presence … Without them, these inductees could not have achieved their respected accomplishments.”
Tribbett, a Grammy award-winning gospel artist, is the founder of Grammy-nominated gospel choir Tye Tribbett & G.A. (Short for Greater Anointing). His parents, Thomas and Neicy, played significant roles in the radio and music industry, as well as in the growth of Tribbett’s roots in church leadership and gospel music communities.
Tribbett is the co-founder and current pastor of Live Church in Orlando, Florida, alongside his wife Shante, who also serves as co-founder and pastor. He is known for his influential voice in modern gospel, merging worship, hip hop, rock and choir traditions.
