Champion Jersey Joe Walcott Statue

“He’s an example of faith and determination and perseverance, and the statue will be a magnet for students and will connect people to his legacy. It will be a combination of education, and inspiration" says grandson Vince Cream.  “People come to Philadelphia, and seeing the Rocky statue is one of the first things on their list,” said poet Sandra Turner-Barnes.  “That’s all well and good. But Rocky is a fictitious character, and in Jersey Joe, Camden has a genuine hero. He was the world champion and he was also the champion of our community.”
“The location (1900 Park Boulevard, Camden, NJ) is near the Camden High football field and it’s ideal — the athletes will see it as they go by,” said Sheilah Greene, a longtime Parkside resident and Cream family friend who is involved in the project.  The site also is significant because Pomona Hall, the Cooper family plantation house that is preserved as a museum, was home to several enslaved Africans. The society is talking to sculptor Vinnie Bagwell about a second bronze to honor them, as well, board president Chris Perks said.