By Comatha B. Johnson
Special to the AFRO
On Dec. 13, 2023, the Rev. Dr. J. Jerome Newton made history as the first African American to be sworn in as mayor of the town of Mount Olive, N.C., since it was incorporated in 1870.
Newton, a Mount Olive native and a retired Marine Corps officer, took the oath of office in the Southern Bank Auditorium on the University of Mount Olive campus. District Court Judge Erika James officiated Newton’s swearing in at 1:30 p.m.
Dr. Newton served honorably for 20-plus years in numerous places abroad—Japan, Korea, Philippines, Thailand, Italy and Republic of Panama, to name a few. Upon his retirement, he taught school at grade levels K-12 in Maryland for eight years and served three years as a small business specialist in the Office of the Deputy Secretary of Education in Washington, D.C.
An ordained minister, Newton is the founding pastor of Rock Of Faith Christian Church, now relocated to Mount Olive, North Carolina, from Clinton Maryland. He has served as an adjunct professor of religion at the University of Mount Olive. He is a lifetime member of Carver Alumni and Friends Association and currently serves as national president. Newton is also a published author.
Newton’s educational background consist of:
- Southern Wayne High School, Dudley, N.C.
- Bachelor of Science Degree-Winston Salem State University, Winston Salem, North Carolina
- Advanced Military Training In: Education, Amphibious Warfare, Advance Officer Communication Course, Command and Staff College Training.
- Master of Divinity Degree-Howard University, Washington, DC
- Doctor of Ministry Degree-Virginia Union University, Richmond, Virginia
In his message to the citizens and guests attending his swearing in, Newton said: “I am extremely humbled yet profoundly grateful for the confidence that the town of Mount Olive has placed in me.
“Mount Olive has become a melting pot of eastern North Carolina…, rich with different backgrounds and cultures like African Americans, Caucasians, Haitians, Hispanics, Asians and more,” he continued. “We are all part of this community and we must recognize and embrace all.
Newton encouraged residents to embrace his goal of ensuring “One Community, One Town, One Mount Olive.”
“Let this be our coming of age as we partner, build, and cultivate our town together to make it better,” he concluded. “We can do this if we all work together. It’s not about Newton. It’s about us.”
