Acting AG announces grants to expand summer programs for at-risk youth

Acting AG announces grants to expand summer programs for at-risk youth

TRENTON, NJ — Acting Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced July 1 that the Juvenile Justice Commission, in conjunction with the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Committee, has awarded 19 grants totaling more than $313,000 to police departments, schools and nonprofit organizations across the state to expand summer programs for at-risk youth. The grants provide […]

‘Soar With Reading’ initiative launched at Newark Public Library

‘Soar With Reading’ initiative launched at Newark Public Library

NEWARK, NJ — Mayor Ras J. Baraka, U.S. Rep. Donald M. Payne Jr., JetBlue dignitaries and children’s book authors joined together on June 28 to launch the airline’s “Soar With Reading” initiative by cutting the ribbon to unveil one of the five vending machines located in Newark to give out free children’s books to young […]

Owens named chairperson of RWJBarnabas Health board

Owens named chairperson of RWJBarnabas Health board

WEST ORANGE, NJ — On June 28, RWJBarnabas Health announced the appointment of Lester J. Owens as the new chairperson of its board of trustees, effective immediately. Owens will be the first African American to hold this position in the system. A founding member of the board, Owens has served as vice chairperson since 2019 […]

10-year-old invited to visit West Orange police HQ after writing letter

10-year-old invited to visit West Orange police HQ after writing letter

WEST ORANGE, NJ — West Orange Police Officers Herbert Granados and Frank Romayo welcomed 10-year-old Darielle Eagan to police headquarters on June 24. She was accompanied by her mother, Brigette Eagan, and grandmother, Barbara Shrank. Darielle lives in West Orange and attends Golda Och Academy. She had taken the time to write a letter to […]

Jefferson Elementary School renamed to Delia Bolden Elementary School

Jefferson Elementary School renamed to Delia Bolden Elementary School

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The South Orange–Maplewood Board of Education, as per Resolution 4320, approved the renaming of Jefferson Elementary School to the Delia Bolden Elementary School during its meeting on Wednesday, June 29. Delia Bolden was the first African American woman to graduate from Columbia High School, which she did in 1912. Upon her graduation, […]

Baraka names O’Hara as a deputy mayor, appoints new directors

NEWARK, NJ — On June 30, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka announced the appointment of Brian O’Hara as deputy mayor of strategic initiatives for police services and public safety, and Raul Malave as interim director of public safety, the position vacated by O’Hara. “I would like to congratulate Director of Public Safety Brian O’Hara, who has […]

Locals receive Pride of Essex County Awards for LGBTQ advocacy

Locals receive Pride of Essex County Awards for LGBTQ advocacy

NEWARK, NJ — Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr., the Essex County Office of LGBTQ Affairs and the Essex County LGBTQ Advisory Board hosted a Pride Month celebration on Thursday, June 30. During the ceremony, DiVincenzo presented Pride of Essex County Awards to South Orange Village Trustee Bob Zuckerman, Newark Pride Inc. board President […]

Visitors love ‘Jubilee’ at Montclair Art Museum

Visitors love ‘Jubilee’ at Montclair Art Museum

MONTCLAIR, NJ — The consensus after “Jubilee, a Celebration of African American Music” at Montclair Art Museum on June 26 was wildly positive. “Let’s do it again!” was a common refrain. The Rev. Jesse Branson Jr., minister of social justice at Union Baptist Church in Montclair, hosted the event, providing background on the evolution of […]

Men of Essex to hold 61st annual golf classic Aug. 1

Men of Essex to hold 61st annual golf classic Aug. 1

WEST ORANGE, NJ — Scores of northern New Jersey’s corporate and civic leaders, along with a host of local luminaries, plan to join the Men of Essex in its efforts to raise $100,000 at its 61st annual golf classic. The charity event will be held at the Rock Spring Golf Club, 90 Rock Spring Road […]