Ken Gibson, Newark NJ's first black mayor dead at 86

Ken Gibson, Newark’s first black mayor, elected in the wake of the city’s turbulent riots, has died.

Gibson was 86.

Propelled to leadership after the Newark Riots tore at the city in 1967, Gibson helped establish a foundation for black political power. He served as the city’s mayor from 1970 to 1986 and was the first black mayor of a major northeastern city.

Elected in 1970, when Newark was still just three summers removed from its devastating 1967 riots, Gibson served for 16 years, during an era that was difficult not only for Newark, but for American cities in general.

And while he was sometimes faulted for lacking the dynamism of his successor in City Hall, Sharpe James, history later came to view Gibson as a competent and well-meaning civil servant who stabilized Newark’s finances, improved the health of its citizens and fought the good fight during difficult times.

“He gets a lot of credit for holding things together when things could have easily fallen apart,” the late Bob Curvin, who spearheaded Gibson’s 1970 campaign and later became the director of the Ford Foundation’s Urban Poverty Program, once said about Gibson.

[SOURCE: NJ.COM]

NJ Congressman Donald Payne statement on marijuana legalization in NJ

N.J. Congressman Donald Payne (NJ 10th District) released the following statement on marijuana legislation in the state:

Like many other states, New Jersey has suffered from disproportionate impacts of drug enforcement in minority communities, and this legislation will help rectify iniquities of the past. New Jersey is ready to move forward, and it’s time for the state’s leaders to get behind it.

— Rep. Donald Payne Jr (@RepDonaldPayne) March 20, 2019

Formerly homeless teen gets into dream college

The story of Dylan Chidick is a tale of triumph over tragedy when, after being in and out of homelessness during his youth, he got admissions letters from 17 schools. On Tuesday, the teen landed this 18th acceptance letter, and it was the one that counted the most: His dream school, The College of New Jersey.

The College of New Jersey surprised him at his high school, by bringing his acceptance letter. Watch the video below:

Buena wrestler's parents release statement on cutting on son's dreadlocks

The parents of a Buena Regional High School wrestler who was thrust into the national spotlight when an official required him to cut his dreadlocks or forfeit his bout expressed immense, heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming show of support for their son.

Charles and Rosa Johnson, the parents of junior Andrew Johnson, released a statement on Monday morning through their lawyer Dominic A. Speziali.

“Andrew has been deeply moved by the thunderous outpouring of unsolicited support — including from an Olympic wrestler, leading civil rights advocates and elected officials — after the shocking pre-match ultimatum,” the statement said.

“Wrestling has taught Andrew to be resilient in the face of adversity. As we move forward, we are comforted by both the strength of Andrew’s character and the support he’s received from the community. We will do all that we can to make sure that no student-athlete is forced to endure what Andrew experienced.”

[SOURCE: Courier Post]

Cory Booker response to rumors about his sexuality: I’m heterosexual

It’s a question he has been asked since entering public life, and U.S. Sen. Cory Booker sought to put the rumors to rest as he considers whether to run for president in 2020.

“I’m heterosexual,” Booker told the Philadelphia Inquirer.

The interview took place as Booker decides whether to jump into the race for the Democratic presidential nomination. He told NJ Advance Media last month that he would “consider running for president" in 2020 and would "take some time during this holiday season to sit with family and close friends and advisers to give it a really good consideration.”

Despite his best efforts to talk about policies and issues in his campaigns for Newark mayor and U.S. Senate, the unmarried Booker’s sexuality has been a topic of interest. U.S. Sen.. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., faced similar scrutiny when he sought the Republican presidential nomination in 2016.

When Booker first ran for the Senate and was asked about his sexual orientation, Booker answered, “What does it matter?”

Should he win the White House, Booker would be the first unmarried president since Grover Cleveland in 1884. He said it wasn’t necessarily by choice.

“It’s tough to date as a senator,” Booker, D-N.J., told New York magazine in September. “The title I seek the most is probably husband and father."

Booker told the Inquirer that there were more important things to talk about on the campaign trail.

”Every candidate should run on their authentic self, tell their truth, and more importantly, or mostly importantly, talk about their vision for the country," he said.

[SOURCE: NJ.COM]

11 year old Angel Riley Izraael is missing

New Jersey police are searching for a missing 11-year-old girl after she did not get on the bus for school Thursday morning.

Authorities said Friday that Angel Riley Izraael, 11, of East Orange, was last seen at 8 a.m. Thursday walking on Telford Avenue in Newark toward South Orange Avenue.

She is described as 5 feet 3 inches, 130 pounds, with brown hair, brown eyes and glasses. She was last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and carrying a grey backpack.

She is asthmatic and may be in need of medical assistance.

Anyone with any information is asked to call police at 973-266-5000.

[SOURC: ABC NEWS]

NJ Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman questions manhood of men in congress when it comes to Trump

In a series of tweets and in a very NJ way, New Jersey's Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (Dem, New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District) questioned the manhood of the men in Congress when it comes to the willingness of doing their job and checking President Trump on things like Russia and following the law.

For a Congress so full of men, it's incredible that we don't have the balls to check a president that: asks aides to violate protocol and law; praises dictators from Russia to the Philippines; and torpedos relationships with our allies.

— Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (@RepBonnie) August 23, 2018

This is a reckoning, and any member of Congress unwilling to do his or her job should step aside.

— Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (@RepBonnie) August 23, 2018

If making a mockery of the emoluments clause wasn't enough; if comforting confederates and nazis wasn't enough; if rampant racism, collaborating with Russians, and being implicated in federal elections crimes wasn't enough, then WHAT IS ENOUGH for Congress to act?

— Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (@RepBonnie) August 23, 2018

Newark's own Shakur Stevenson stays unbeaten

Shakur Stevenson, (8-0, 4 KOs), of Newark NJ, a 2016 Olympic silver medalist, won a unanimous eight-round decision over Carlos Ruiz (16-4-2, 6 KOs), of Mexico City, in a featherweight bout.

Stevenson had won his two fights prior to Ruiz by knockout, but spent most of the bout moving laterally along the ropes, throwing just enough punches to win every round.

Ruiz followed Stevenson around but never launched an attack. Every round was the same, totally void of highlights.

After the fight, members of Stevenson's camp claimed he broke his right hand in the second round.

[SOURCE: ESPN]

All three judges scored the fight for Stevenson, 80-72.

Meet Zakiya Smith Ellis, the New Jersey Secretary of Higher Education

Zakiya Smith Ellis was confirmed as New Jersey's Secretary of Higher Education on June 7, 2018, where she will be responsible for policy development and coordination of other higher education activities for the state.

Smith Ellis previously led work at Lumina Foundation, the nation’s largest foundation focused solely on higher education, to advance federal policy to increase attainment and to develop new postsecondary finance models, focusing on issues of affordability.

Prior to her work in philanthropy, Zakiya served as a Senior Advisor for Education at the White House Domestic Policy Council, where she was tasked with developing, informing, and promoting President Obama's higher education policy. She also served in the Obama administration as a senior adviser at the U. S. Department of Education, where she developed programmatic, policy and budget solutions to respond to pressing challenges in college access, affordability, and completion.

Before transitioning to work as a political appointee, Dr. Ellis served as Director of Government Relations for the Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance, where she authored reports on the efficacy of financial advising in college access programs, on community college transfer and articulation, and on the ability of low- and moderate- income families to afford college more broadly.

Earlier in her career, Zakiya worked directly with students in various capacities across the K-12 system, and her goal is to always bring those insights to her current work. She worked on staff in various capacities for Teach For America, helping to train new teachers, and for the federal GEAR UP program in East Boston, Massachusetts, providing college preparation and financial aid information to high school students. Ellis was introduced to federal policy as an intern on Capitol Hill with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, working for her former hometown Congresswoman.

Zakiya has been featured on C-SPAN and Fox Business News, profiled in the Chronicle of Higher Education and Diverse Issues in Higher Education and was twice named to Forbes Magazine 30 Under 30. She recently completed a three-year term as an appointed memberon the board of directors for the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC).

Dr. Ellis holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and secondary education from Vanderbilt University, a master’s degree in education policy and management from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and holds a doctorate in higher education management from the University of Pennsylvania.

NJ Governor Phil Murphy and Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver recognize Juneteenth

About two days ago I reached out to the office my governor, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy to ask whether the governor intended to recognize Juneteenth with a brief statement. You can imagine my surprise when today I received a proclamation recognizing Juneteenth from Governor Murphy's office signed by not only Murphy but by Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver also. Thank you Governor Murphy! George L. Cook III African American Reports.Read the proclamation below:

Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman Statement on Shooting at Trenton Art All Night

Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) released the following statement on the shooting at the Art All Night festival in Trenton early this morning:

“I am saddened and angered at the violence that took place at Art All Night early this morning, and I am praying for all of the families involved, but, as I’ve said before, that’s not enough. After every shooting, we talk about motive, mental illness and every other distraction from the real problem — guns.

“New Jersey has some of the strongest gun safety legislation in the country. That should make it very clear that this is a problem we can only solve at the national level, with Congress leading the way. Despite all of our state’s efforts, New Jersey is not an island — we can’t make our neighborhoods safe as long as guns can come in across a bridge or state line, from Pennsylvania or North Carolina. There has to be federal action.

“So many times since being elected to Congress, I’ve begged people to take this seriously. As it comes home to my own district, I’m heartbroken knowing we could make it harder to access these weapons. Dozens of the congressmen and women I work with every day have gotten the call I got this morning alerting them to a shooting in their district. For anyone that hasn’t, I’m asking to work with you now, before it happens to you. There are bills ready for consideration right now. We just need to be brave enough to call for votes.”

NJ Gov-Elect Phil Murphy calls out Trump over racist remarks

I was fortunate enough to attend an event for NJ Gov-Elect Phil Murphy today and get this video. During a speech at the Newark Museum at an Inaugural Weekend kickoff event Democrat Phil Murphy called out Trump over his racist remarks. Watch those remarks below:

Tahesha Way named New Jersey Secretary of State

Gov.-elect Phil Murphy on Monday introduced former Passaic County Freeholder (county commissioner) Tahesha Way as his choice for secretary of state, handing her a mandate to expand voter access and push back against President Donald Trump's administration.

The secretary of state is the chief election official, but also oversees the state's $44 billion tourism industry and is responsible for administering artistic, cultural and historical programs. Murphy said the position requires a "tested" leader who understands both business and law and "respects the vast cultures which make our state a melting pot." In Way, he said, he and Lt. Gov.-elect Sheila Oliver have found someone who fulfills those requirements and will "serve New Jersey with distinction."

Way was appointed to the Passaic County Freeholder Board in 2006 and served as its director in 2009. She spent five years as an administrative law judge and taught law at Fairleigh Dickinson University. She is currently the special counsel for the county's Board of Social Services.

"I look forward to working with the governor-elect to make democracy real for all residents of New Jersey through maintaining and strengthening voting rights and common-ground efforts to modernize the voting process, and I hope to ensure the integrity of the voting process," she said during a news conference in Trenton, where she was joined by three of her four daughters and her husband, Charles, a former running back for the New York Giants.

[SOURCE: NORTHJERSEY.COM]

Two African Americans elected as Lieutenant Governors on Election Day 2017

While much attention was payed to Democratic candidates that won governor's races in both New Jersey and Virginia, two African American candidates also won statewide office. Both Sheila Oliver of New jersey and Justin Fairfax of Virginia were elected as Lieutenant Governors of their prospective states.

Sheila Oliver

New Jersey elected Sheila Oliver as its first female African-American lieutenant governor. Oliver is no stranger to breaking records: She became the first African-American woman to be elected as Assembly speaker in New Jersey and only the second black female speaker in U.S. history.

“This may not be the first glass ceiling I have broken, but it is certainly the highest,” Oliver said during Democrat Phil Murphy’s victory party. “And I hope somewhere in this great state of New Jersey, a young girl of color is watching tonight and realizing that she does not have a limit to how high she can go.”

Justin Fairfax

Democrat Justin Fairfax was elected to become Virginia’s next lieutenant governor. With his victory, the former federal prosecutor will be the second African-American to win statewide in Virginia.

“I am so grateful for this opportunity,” Fairfax said during a statewide victory party, according to WJLA-TV. “We are changing the course of history in this commonwealth.”

[SOURCE: HUFFPOST]

NJ Gov Race: Murphy Picks Sheila Oliver as Running Mate

NJ Democratic gubernatorial nominee Phil Murphy has chosen Sheila Oliver, the former speaker of the Assembly, as his running mate in this November's election, according to a source with direct knowledge of the selection process.

The first African-American woman Assembly speaker in state history, Oliver has more than a dozen years of legislative experience, serving in the lower house of the New Jersey Legislature since 2004.

She also served on the Essex County board of chosen freeholders (county commissioners) from 1996 to 1999.

Born and raised in Newark, Oliver, 65, graduated from Weequahic High School before moving to Pennsylvania to earn a degree in sociology at Lincoln University, the nation's first degree-granting historically black university.

Oliver took her masters in urban planning and administration she got from Columbia University and put to extensive use in Essex County, where she works as an assistant administrator.

She previously served on the East Orange Board of Education from 1994-2000 and as its president from 1999 to 2000.

Oliver also serves on both the Assembly's commerce and economic development committee and the Legislature's joint committee on and equal employment opportunity.

As a woman of color with a long track record of helping Jersey's urban communities, Oliver as the Lt. Governor candidate could help Murphy connect his message of economic renewal to African American voters who may have cooled to Democratic politics in the post-Obama era.

[SOURCE: NJ.COM]

Booker asks N.J. to keep data from Trump voter fraud commission

U.S. Sen. Cory Booker asked NJ state officials to reject any request from President Donald Trump's voter fraud commission for information about New Jersey voter rolls.

He said comments by Robert Giles, director of New Jersey's division of elections, didn't go far enough.

"I am alarmed by the purpose of this commission: to look into a nonexistent problem of widespread voter fraud as a guise to collect data that is likely to be used to suppress legal voting in future elections and to provide President Trump's outlandish and laughable claim that he actually won the popular vote with some appearance of legitimacy," Booker said.

Booker (D-N.J.) earlier called Trump's campaign comments about voter fraud "a blatant lie" and the commission "a thinly veiled voter suppression effort."

His latest comments came in a letter to Dennis Robinson, serving as acting secretary of state since Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno has recused herself from all election-related issues while running for governor.

Booker acted after Giles rejected the commission's request for information that went beyond names, addresses and birth dates to include last four digits of Social Security numbers, voting history, felony convictions, military service and registrations in other states.

New Jersey was one of 46 states that rejected the request in all or in part.

[SOURCE: NJ.COM]

Cory Booker calls Donald Trump a liar

Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., accused President Trump of repeatedly lying to the American people and using propaganda to stir confusion and mislead the public.

In a Thursday night interview with CNN’s Erin Burnett, Booker said the media coverage of Trump should resemble reporting on any other politician. He argued that liars should be called “liars” and propaganda should be called “propaganda.”

“I don’t understand why the media is treating Donald Trump with such kid gloves. These are not ‘untruths.’ These are not ‘alternate facts.’ These are lies and propaganda,” Booker said.

“We have seen the president of the United States and his officials repeatedly lying to the American public and pushing out … what could be called propaganda to mislead the public. He needs to be called on it, and we as the American public should not accept a president that routinely lies blatantly to the American people.”

[SOURCE]

WHO IS THIS NEW CORY BOOKER?

Congressman Payne, Jr. to Boycott President-Elect Trump’s Inauguration

Nice to see the congressman I voted for has John Lewis's back! NJ Congressman Donald Payne Jr. has joined a growing number of house representatives and announced that he will not be attending Donald Trump's inauguration. Read that announcement below.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. (NJ-10) issued the following statement today announcing his decision to boycott President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration:

“I have the deepest respect for the office of the presidency, something that cannot be said for President-elect Trump. His actions and statements have consistently been below the dignity of the office, and there’s no indication that will change. Donald Trump will be our president, and I will work with him if my values permit, and if doing so is in the best interest of my constituents and the nation. But I will not celebrate his swearing-in to an office that he has proven unfit to hold.”

Charles Mainor to run for Jersey City mayor

Charles Mainor, a retired police detective and former NJ state assemblyman, told The Jersey Journal this week that he intends to challenge Mayor Steve Fulop's re-election bid next November.

Mainor, 49, who was elbowed out of a fourth term in the Assembly last year, said in an interview at Larsen's Restaurant on Bergen Avenue that he's running for mayor to make sure every resident enjoys the fruits of Jersey City's renaissance.

"Everybody should be a part of Jersey City moving forward and I don't see that right now," he said.

Mainor, who lives on Wade Street in the city's Greenville section, said his campaign will focus on decreasing crime, bringing jobs to city residents and improving education by strengthening ties between City Hall and the public-school district.

Mainor said he intends to be mayor "of the whole city, not just the Waterfront."

"There are parts of the city that do receive more attention than others," Mainor said.

[SOURCE]

Donald Payne Jr. Re-elected to Congress

New Jersey Congressman Donald Payne Jr. (DEM) has been re-elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for a third term as the Representative of New Jersey's 10th Congressional District. Payne demolished his Republican challenger David Pinckney and three others with over 86% of the vote making his margin of victory the largest in the state of N.J. Congrats to Congressman Payne.

ELECTION RESULTS:

Payne Jr., Donald Dem 179,082 86%

Pinckney, David GOP 24,628 12%

Miller, Joanne Ind 3,406 2%

Fraser, Aaron Ind 1,609 1%