Statue of public activist unveiled on Central Avenuu

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Before we actually unveil the street sign I want to present this keep sake which memorializes this day to Ezekiels mother.

Ora Mobely-Sweeting pulled a rope at the corner of 43rd Place and Central Avenue to unveil a plaque honoring her son. Ezekiel Mobley Jr. who died in June 2006 was a respected community leader. Councilwoman Jan Perry said he dedicated his life to connecting African American and Central and South American communities.

He saw beyond culture and color lines lifting up the curtain and showing all of us that we are all people united by commonalities. I felt his life and commitment to unity should be memorialized here on our historic Central Avenue, a place steeped in history and a place that embodies our diversity and our desire to be a unified community.

Mobley was well educated, graduating from Georgetown University Law Center and the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. He served as a member of various economic development groups. He learned Spanish and joined the Latin American cultural union. He was also the first African American to have a syndicated television show completely in Spanish.

Mobley suffered a stroke 10 years ago. He was only 53 years old when he passed away. His sister Candida Mobley said his kindness, humility and genuine love for the community belied his accomplishments and credentials. She says the memorial is a fitting tribute to him.

God will be the one to tell us its over, and its not over until God says its over. And or Ezekiel, because of this, it will never ever ever be over.

The intersection at 43rd Place and Central Avenue will now also be known as Ezekiel Mobley Jr Square. Amina Karam, Annenberg Radio News.