Greetings. On behalf of the NAACP Newark Branch Leaders, we thank you for attending our Freedom Fund Gala and honoring our 2026 Community Champions.
Examples include:
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) founded in 1909, is one of the oldest civil rights organization in America. The Newark Branch founded in 1914 is the largest unit in NJ and the second oldest in the state. Our general mission is to achieve equity, political rights and inclusion that expand human and civil rights, eliminates racial discrimination and advances policies to positively impact people of color. On the local and state level, we are all volunteers who donate our time, talent and commitment.
Our active committees are: Environmental Justice, Economic Development, Civic Engagement, Health, Education, Criminal Justice, Religious Affairs. We do the work of the NAACP through the committees. The committees plan, activate and implement activities that advocate for our community. While we are not a service association, we do conduct activities that oftentimes offer a community service.
Economic Development pushes the envelope with forward thinking opportunities for businesses, jobs and education i.e. Off shore wind enterprises.
Environmental Justice works closely with environmental coalitions to monitor pollution in our city from power plants to the inordinate volume of diesel trucks on our city streets.
Health pushes for healthcare equity and Education promotes literacy. The Criminal Justice Committee hosts resource sessions regarding law enforcement opportunities and advocates for incarcerated women and men as well as humane criminal justice reform.
Civic engagement is our main focus. We are non- partisan and cannot endorse candidates but that does not stop us from being political, pushing voter registration, voter education and monitoring legislation. We are involved in numerous initiatives and partnerships that strengthen our community. We understand the importance and power of voting.
Dr. W.E.B. Dubois, a co-founder of the NAACP noted: “The power of the ballot we need in sheer defense, else what shall save us from a second slavery?
We must VOTE in every election. Our power is in our collected vote. And we must urge our family and friends within our village to vote.
Join the NAACP not just for the sake of joining. Join to participate. Join a committee. Share the wealth of your experience. The Association is only as strong as its members. We are all volunteers. That means our effectiveness is directly linked to our effectiveness in getting volunteers willing to do the work. Join to contribute a piece of your time, talent and commitment. Join because you are needed. It does not have to be gigantic feats. Small acts by a lot of people carry great weight. We can all do something. Let’s stand together.
“We declare our right on this earth. To be a human being, to be given the rights of a human being in this society on this earth” declared Malcolm X.
It is up to us. It is our time, our turn to aggressively advocate for our community. We must push back and not give in to the shock and awe tactics, the mass disruption, the schizophrenic madness we are currently experiencing from the White House “leadership”. We are to resist by using our vote, marches, rallies, calls to elected o cials, emails, selective spending, reading credible news sources in addition to using all the tools left to us by our ancestorsResilience, Creativity, Stamina, Fortitude, Faith, Love, Courage, Strength, Resourcefulness and good old common sense!
Deborah Smith Gre ry
As Mahatma Ghandi proclaimed, “We must be the change we wish to see in the world.”
The Newark Unit NAACP
“Everybody can be great, because anybody can serve…. You only need a heart full of grace.”
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
In December 1914, a group of 79 citizens came together to form the Newark, NJ Branch of the NAACP. The original intent of these men and women was to seek an equal opportunity for their community and themselves. The founding members left the Newark Unit NAACP, the largest and the second oldest in the state. The Newark Unit stands on the shoulders of committed people who have volunteered countless hours to serve their community in the areas of civil rights, education, legal redress, health, housing, labor, economic development and political action. We salute our leaders!
NEWARK NAACP PRESIDENTS
1916-1920 Mr. J.M. Stoute
1920 Mr. R. W. Stewart *
Early 1930’s Mrs. Anna M. Monroe*
Mid 1930’s Rev. Louis H. Berry
1934 Mrs. Lillian A. Simmons*
Late 1930’s Mrs. Grace B. Fenderson*
1940’s Mr. J. Leroy Baxter*
1934-1947 Mr. James Curtis*
1947-1950 Hon. Harry Hazelwood, Jr.*
1953-1955 Mr. Theodore Pettigrew*
1955-1958 Mr. Samuel Haynes*
1957 Hon. Harry Hazelwood Jr.*
1957 Mr. Carlton B. Norris*
1963-1966 Rev. Boyd B. Cantrell*
1967-1974
1975-1979
1979-1981
1981-1984
1984-1989
1990-1994
1995-1998
1999-2001
Ms. Sally G. Carroll*
Mr. Norman E. Threadgill*
Mrs. Eldora Maynard*
Mr. Bobbie Cottle*
Mr. Keith M. Jones
Ms. Jacqueline Lawrence*
Ms. Susie M. McGhee
Mr. Daniel Williams
2001 Ms. Cheryl D. Bush**
2002-2005
2005-2007
2007-2008
2009-2013
Mr. Keith Jones
Ms. Dorothea Lee*
Mr. John Smith
Mrs. Joyce M. Simmons
2013-Present Ms. Deborah Smith Gregory
NAACP NEWARK OFFICERS
Deborah Smith Gregory..............................................President
Ali McBridge Jr. .............................................1st Vice President
LaVita E. Johnson .......................................2nd Vice President
John L. Smith .................................................3rd Vice President
Health .................................................................................................... Timia Wilson & Liselle Lewis
Religious Affairs ..................................................Elder Judith Favors & Min. Keisha Feaster
Housing .............................................................................Alexa McNeil & Lisa Maddox Douglas
Judith C. Favors
2026 FREEDOM FUND CHAIRPERSON
“To everyone assembled here for this beautiful afternoon in the historic Terrace Ballroom as it celebrates 100 years: My message to you is a Clarion Call. As America prepares for its 250th anniversary, we find that Black and brown people are still struggling for the fundamental rights to vote, speak, and be heard.
As a great grandmother of one beautiful great granddaughter, four handsome grandsons, and an amazing daughter, my family is the heartbeat of my service. They are the reason I remain steadfast in this journey, serving as a member of the boldest, baddest, and oldest organization in the country as we celebrate 117 years of the NAACP.
We look around today and recognize that we have come a long way; our presence in this room is a testament to that progress. However, we must also be honest: we still have a long way ahead. We must stand together—right now—to create a lasting impact for our children and their children. We move forward today because, as our theme reminds us, we cannot afford to wait.”
Today, we don’t just speak of change; we honor those who are creating it. It is my great privilege to congratulate our 2026 Community Champions. These leaders have answered the call with action, courage, and unwavering commitment.”
“If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.”
— Dr. Martin Luther King Jr
Elder
Jud h C. Favors, Chair
John L. Smith
“The Fierce Urgency of Now”
We gather this afternoon in a defining season of the American experience—a time that many within our Black and Brown communities recognize as both challenging and consequential. Across this nation, there is a growing awareness that the work of justice, equity, and inclusion remains unfinished. Yet history reminds us that our people have never been strangers to adversity, nor have we ever failed to rise to meet the moment.
The theme of today’s gathering, “The Fierce Urgency of Now,” serves as both a reminder and a call to action. It reminds us that progress has never come through waiting comfortably for change—it has always required courage, sacrifice, and the willingness of ordinary people to rise in extraordinary times. The responsibility of this generation is no different.
We stand on the shoulders of giants—men and women who marched, organized, sacrificed, and believed deeply in an America that could live up to its promise for all people. Today, we honor their legacy not simply through remembrance, but through our commitment to continue their work. We must remain steadfast in uplifting our communities, protecting our progress, and preparing the next generation to lead with wisdom, excellence, and integrity.
As we gather under the banner of the Newark Branch of the NAACP, may this afternoon leave us renewed in spirit, strengthened in unity, and recommitted in purpose. Let us answer the call of this moment with boldness, wisdom, and faith—for history will remember not only the challenges of our time, but how we chose to respond to them.
J n L. Sm h
Lt. Govenor Dr. Dale Caldwell
New Jersey’s 4th Lieutenant Governor and 35th Secretary of State GUEST
SPEAKER
Dr. Dale G. Caldwell is New Jersey’s 4th Lieutenant Governor and 35th Secretary of State, serving with Governor Mikie Sherrill. As Secretary of State, Dr. Caldwell leads the New Jersey Department of State and serves as New Jersey’s chief election o cer. In this role, he brings decades of leadership experience across government, education, community development, faith, and business to expand opportunity across the state and build a more affordable Garden State Service, faith, and justice are deeply rooted in his family legacy. Dr. Caldwell’s mother was an educator, and his father, the Rev. Gilbert Caldwell, was a prominent civil rights leader who marched alongside the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This legacy continues to shape his leadership philosophy and commitment to equity and opportunity.
Prior to his election, Dr. Caldwell served as President of Centenary University, where he led transformative initiatives focused on access, innovation, workforce development, and student success. His career includes senior leadership roles as Executive Director of the Rothman Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Fairleigh Dickinson University; President of the Educational Services Commission of New Jersey (ESCNJ); Deputy Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs; Founding Executive Director of the Newark Alliance; and Senior Manager at Deloitte Consulting.
Dr. Caldwell has also dedicated his life to serving his church and his community. For many years, he has served as a United Methodist pastor at Covenant United Methodist Church in Plainfield, New Jersey, where he leads a congregation grounded in inclusivity, compassion, and community engagement. His ministry is guided by Proverbs 31:8–9, which calls on leaders to “speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves. Dr. Caldwell also dedicated more than a quarter-century to public education and community service, volunteering on the New Brunswick Board of Education for 26 years, including six years as Board President. His lifelong commitment to civic engagement reflects a belief that strong communities are built through partnership, accountability, and service.
An accomplished athlete and advocate for sports equity, Dr. Caldwell is an avid tennis player and coach. He served as President and CEO of the USTA Eastern Section, founded the Black Tennis Hall of Fame, and is a member of the Eastern Tennis Hall of Fame. Dr. Caldwell is also a staunch supporter of the Arts having served on the Board of Trustees for the Tony Award winning Crossroads Theater in New Brunswick.
Dr. Caldwell is a graduate of Princeton University, earned his MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and completed his Doctorate in Education Administration at Seton Hall University. He resides in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and is the proud father of his daughter, Ashley, who studies public policy at Rutgers University.
— 112TH ANNUAL FREEDOM FUND GALA AWARDS PROGRAM —
Call to Order ...................................................... Elder Judith Favors, Freedom Fund Gala, Chairperson
John L. Smith, Freedom Fund Gala, Co-Chairperson
Processional ................................................................. Community Champions & Scholarship Awardees
Welcome & Introduction of MC ................................................................................ Deborah Smith Gregory President, NAACP Newark Branch
Mistress of Ceremonies .................................................................... Tracy Munford, Executive Committee
Invocation ........................................................................................................ Cheryl Williams, Master of Science
“Lift Every Voice & Sing” .............................................................................. Londyn Rogers, Newark ACT-SO
Greetings......................................................................................................... Congresswoman, LaMonica McIver Newark Council President C. Larry Crump
— LUNCH IS SERVED — Entertainment by the Dexter Allgood Band
KEYNOTE SPEAKER The Honorable Dr. Dale G. Caldwell NJ Lieutenant Governor/ Secretary of State
Scholarship Awards Dr. Christie Oliver Hawley, Education Committee — Community Champion Presentations —
Congressman Donald M. Payne Sr. Award ......... Ryan Haygood, NJ Institute for Social Justice
Sally G. Carroll Legacy & Branch Service Award ...............A. K. Kenyatta, STEP Inc. New Jersey
Community Service Award Tanya & Matthew Veltz Tree House Ent Cultural Arts Movement Inc.
Economic Development Award .................................................................. Siree Morris, MCI Collective Ayana Morris, Indepentent Filmmaker & Visionary
Education Award............................................................. Tauheedah Hill, NJ Department of Corrections
Branch Leadership Award ............................. Colette Jackson Belle, Newark ACT-SO Chairperson
President’s Award (Surprise) ................................................................................................................................................
Acknowledgements ................................................................................ Lavita Johnson, 2nd Vice President
Closing Remarks ................................................................................................. Ali McBride, 1st Vice President
Colette Jackson Belle is a dedicated educator, performer, mentor and arts advocate whose work centers on expanding access to high quality arts opportunities for young people. A proud alumna of the Newark NAACP ACT-SO program, she holds the distinction of being the only New Jerseyan to receive a national ACT-SO medal in classical voice.Her continued commitment to the program includes numerous years of service as a state judge and mentor. She currently serves as Chairperson of the Newark NAACP ACT-SO program, a role she has held for the past eight years.
The Newark ACT-SO program is a transformative force for students across the city. Participants meet weekly for intensive mentoring, training, and portfolio development, receiving consistent guidance from dedicated professionals in their fields. Through this structured support, students build not only their artistic and academic skills, but also confidence, discipline, and a clear vision for their futures. Many students go on to attend top colleges, conservatories, and specialized programs, earning scholarships and national recognition. Newark ACT-SO is also the only branch in New Jersey to offer a culinary arts program, providing students with hands-on experience and pathways to prestigious opportunities, including scholarships to the Culinary Institute of America.
In addition to her work with ACT-SO, Colette is the founder and owner of Studio 31, a performing arts school she has led for over 20 years. Rooted in a mission of equity and access, Studio 31 serves students in Newark and Bayonne by providing free private music lessons and arts training to those who may not otherwise have the opportunity. The studio has become a vital resource, ensuring that financial barriers never stand in the way of artistic growth. Through Studio 31, Colette continues to make music education accessible to all, nurturing talent while fostering confidence, creativity, and lifelong passion.
Colette’s musical journey includes training at the Manhattan School of Music and Westminster Choir College. She has performed on prestigious stages including The Metropolitan Opera House, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, The Civic Opera House, and the Kennedy Center throughout her impressive professional career. In addition to her work as a performer, Colette has been a director of musical theatre for over 20 years and currently serves as the Director of Musical Theatre at High Tech High School, where she leads a program recently recognized as one of the top three in the state.
Through every facet of her work as a mentor, educator, director, and performer, Colette Jackson-Belle is committed to creating pathways where none existed before. Her impact is measured in the lives she transforms by ensuring young people have the access, support, and belief needed to pursue their passions and achieve at the highest levels.
Tauheedah Hill EDUCATION AWARD
Tauheedah Hill is an education advocate with over twenty years of experience in urban education. She is a proud Newark native, a graduate of Science High School, and formerly served as a mentor and tutor for Newark Pop Warner football, parent liaison for Newark public schools’ high school football and track, and a volunteer for Brick City Rowing.
Tauheedah is a staunch advocate for high-quality urban education. Prior to her current role, she served in the public schools as a teacher, school leader, and district leader, but in 2014, Tauheedah answered the call to take her passion for education and serve in a place most people do not consider, the New Jersey Department of Corrections. For 12 years, she has demonstrated a true commitment to prison education, as evidenced by her career growth. Starting as an Assistant Supervisor of Education, Tauheedah was quickly promoted to Supervisor, Educational Program Specialist 1, and Deputy Director of Education.
In 2025, under the Governor Murphy Administration, Tauheedah was appointed to the highest role in NJ Correctional Education as the Director of Academic Affairs for the NJ prison system. Her leadership in managing the department’s Adult Basic Education and in-prison College degree programs with Rutgers-Newark, Princeton University, Raritan Valley Community College, and Drew University demonstrates her capacity to drive meaningful change. Her recent achievements, including transitioning GED testing to an online platform and launching a master’s program at East Jersey State Prison, highlight her commitment to innovative education.
When it comes to delivering a high-quality educational experience that supports successful reintegration into the community, Tauheedah stands on business. When she tells her students, “Yes, you can do this,” they don’t just hear her; they believe her because they know she believes in them. Known for her trademark work uniform, a suit with color-coordinated Air Jordans, her students and staff know Director Hill does not play when it comes to education or her sneaker game.
Her effective educational leadership is built on her belief that equity and a growth mindset are essential for teachers to create meaningful, inclusive experiences for all students, but especially those who are marginalized. Tauheedah’s convictions are rooted in the concept that when students see an educator who looks like them and may have had similar life experiences, they will feel recognized and supported, fostering a sense of community and shared goals.
Tauheedah earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education/Special Education from New Jersey City University and a Master’s Degree in Education from Grand Canyon University. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership at Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts.
Matthew & Tanya Veltz
Founders, Tree House Ent Cultural Arts Movement Inc. DBA Tree House Cares COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD
Matthew and Tanya Veltz are the dedicated founders of Tree House Ent Cultural Arts Movement Inc., doing business as Tree House Cares, a community-driven nonprofit organization established in 2017 in Newark, New Jersey. United by a shared passion for service, equity, and community empowerment, they have built a powerful grassroots movement focused on combating hunger, promoting health and wellness, and increasing access to essential resources for underserved populations.
Through their leadership, Tree House Cares provides free groceries to over 12,000 individuals and families monthly, operates a mobile soup kitchen serving over 800 meals weekly, and delivers home-cooked meals to more than 600 elderly, disabled, and homebound residents each month.
They have also developed community garden spaces that educate youth and adults on agriculture, healthy eating, and self-su ciency, while organizing community arts and wellness events that promote healing and unity.
Together, Matthew and Tanya Veltz lead with compassion and vision, creating lasting impact in the communities they serve.
DEVELOPMENT AWARD
Ayana Stafford Morris ECONOMIC
Ayana Stafford Morris is an independent filmmaker, visual artist, producer and director. She is the creator of The Culture Parlor, that has become widely known by amplifying Black narratives. Her latest project, the popular Don’t Touch My Hair exhibit, explores Black identity, body politics, and the cultural significance of hair. Through interactive art, the exhibit encourages dialogue on autonomy, beauty, and cultural ownership.
The project embraces an avant garde vision placing a museum quality show within a shipment container as well as the use of traditional space.
As a filmmaker, Ayana is best known for her critically acclaimed documentary Why Is We Americans (2022), a deep exploration of the life and legacy of poet Amiri Baraka. Co-directed with Udi Aloni and Executive Produced by Lauryn Hill, the film has been praised by the New York Times and Los Angeles Times for its compelling storytelling and call to action.
In addition to her work in film and curation, Ayana made history during the COVID-19 pandemic by co-founding Newark Moonlight Cinema with her husband, Siree. The first Blackowned drive-in movie theater in the U.S., Newark Moonlight Cinema provided a much-needed space for the community to experience cinema while celebrating Black voices.
Through her production company, Leopard Stripes Productions, Ayana has produced and directed numerous projects, including her role as Senior Producer for the Cannes Diversity Collective at the 2019 Cannes Lions Festival. Ayana’s work—through film, art, and community initiatives—continues to push boundaries and inspire others to explore the rich history, resilience, and identity of Black culture.
In 2022, Ayana and her husband Siree were recognized by the NJ Performing Arts Center as visionaries of the future, underscoring their dedication to elevating the community with their entrepreneurial spirit.
Siree I. Morris ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AWARD
Siree I. Morris has established himself as a pioneering force in real estate development and community impact. Through designing and constructing large-scale projects, he recognized the critical importance of market sustainability via sound property management and construction practices. This insight led to the founding of MCI in 2013, a vertically integrated firm that develops and manages its own properties throughout Northern New Jersey.
MCI has been at the forefront of innovation in the real estate industry. Notably, in 2015, Siree designed and received approval for New Jersey’s first multi-family housing project constructed from shipping containers, a groundbreaking initiative that garnered attention from The Wall Street Journal. Initially specializing in urban infill multi-family developments, MCI has since expanded its portfolio to include transformative low-, mid-, and high-rise projects.
Among its flagship developments, MCI broke ground in September 2024 on a $336 million mixed-use project in collaboration with the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC). This development includes a 25-story tower and a six-story low-rise building. Most recently, the firm began construction on a $94 million, 250-unit mixed-use project with the Newark Museum, featuring a 12-story mid-rise and a seven-story low-rise structure housing an art gallery. Today, MCI has 600 units under construction with over 400 additional units scheduled to be completed between 2026 and 2028. With its robust pipeline, MCI has solidified its position as a leader in commercial real estate.
Siree, MCI, and their ventures have been widely recognized, with features on NBC, ABC’s Good Morning America, MSNBC, CNBC, WPIX 11, News 12 NJ, The New York Times, and the Commercial Observer, among others. He was named a top influencer of color by ROI-NJ for his holistic approach to revitalization, emphasizing economic growth, housing, employment, and entertainment.
Beyond real estate, Siree is deeply committed to giving back to his hometown of Newark, NJ. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, he transformed a six-acre demolished baseball stadium into Newark Moonlight Cinema, America’s first Black-owned drive-in movie theater that was featured on major outlets like NBC, ABC, Good Morning America, CBS, CNBC, NPR, and BBC.
Siree married his college sweetheart Ayana, and together, they are raising two sons. His commitment to family, faith, and community remains at the heart of everything he does, ensuring his legacy extends beyond business to inspire meaningful change in Newark and beyond.
A.K. Kenyatta Director & Founder
Striving Together Equals Progress, Inc.
SALLY G. CARROLL LIFETIME
LEGACY AWARD
Ajamu Khalfani Kenyatta, aka Brother Kenyatta is a youth advocate and mentor as well as a counselor specializing in wholistic, culturally based education and development of young Black men.
After a brush with the law and incarceration as a young man, he saw firsthand a magnified version of the hopelessness experienced by so many other young Black men. So many were lacking the ability to read, write, to communicate effectively and to advocate for themselves in prison or in the courts in a meaningful way.
As a young man Brother Kenyatta always exhibited the desire to assist people around him in need, and that desire to assist began to take on new life. He began assisting those incarcerated in learning to read, and to write letters to their family and loved ones, to prepare and submit legal documents in pending cases and offered assistance in representation in prison disciplinary proceedings. He also began workshops helping others understand the rights and privileges guaranteed to them under law and the US Constitution, even in incarceration.
However, the most powerful and enlightening experience during this period, and that which would help to transform his life and the lives of hundreds of other young Black men from that point forward, was the liberating effect of the study and application of Black history, Culture and Afrikan centered education.
Due to the prison administration relaxing the policy on incoming literature, access and exposure to the works of great Afrikan scholars were obtained and circulated amongst prisoners looking for knowledge. Those in the circle who shared this valuable information, agreed to not only elevate themselves, mentally physically and spiritually but also to share and make it a point to elevate others. He referred to this evolutionary period as “The Malcolm Syndrome.”
It was with this experience that he began to truly understand the power of Afrikan centered knowledge and education. Beyond the theory, but in reality, he experienced and witnessed the transformation of not only himself but so many around him due to their exposure to their history and culture. “Knowledge of Self”
After his release, brother Kenyatta relocated to the Newark area. Remaining true to his decision to assist the community, and in-particular young black men, he worked and volunteered with various youth organizations, including the Newark YMCA, the Newark Boys & Girls Club, International Youth Organization (IYO) and LST Rites of Passage Organization.
A burning desire to help elevate Black youth to their highest potential and the scarcity of Afrikan centered programming for area youth, led him to create a structured, proactive, comprehensive, Afrikan Centered Rights of Passage Program, that would expose young Black men to knowledge of their history, culture and a true understanding of themselves. In 2000, the Striving Together Equals Progress ( S.T.E.P.) Rites Of Passage & Manhood Development Organization for youth ages 5-17 was born.
Mr Kenyatta is currently the Executive Director of the S.T.E.P. organization and also acts as a consultant for other community groups in the area specializing in conscious, wholistic, culturally based youth development.
With his 30 year accumulation of knowledge and expertise in the field of Afrikan centered and wholistic youth development, as well as his concern for the community, he has openly shared his knowledge and expertise with organizations and groups around the country, helping to develop and organize curriculums, various special projects and workshops geared towards guiding both youth and their families towards healthier, holistic lifestyles.
Ryan P. Haygood, Esq.
President & CEO NJ Institute for Social Justice
CONGRESSMAN
DONALD M. PAYNE, SR. SOCIAL JUSTICE AWARD
Ryan P. Haygood is a nationally respected civil rights lawyer and the President & CEO of the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice, a leading state-based racial justice organization.
Under Ryan’s leadership, the Institute’s racial justice work—driven by a dynamic team and stellar Board of Trustees—has become a national model for states as places to build community power.
Ryan has helped lead some of the most significant democracy-expanding victories in New Jersey’s modern history. The Institute led historic campaigns to restore the right to vote to 83,000 people on probation and parole—a right denied since 1844, secured online voter registration and early voting, ended prison-based gerrymandering, lowered the voting age to 16 for Newark school board elections, and most recently restored jury service to more than 350,000 people who have completed their sentences.
Under Ryan’s leadership, the Institute has also become the leading voice on New Jersey’s staggering $600,000-plus racial wealth gap. The organization produces original research and advocates for bold, reparative solutions—including the $15 minimum wage, universal basic income and baby bonds—while working to expand homeownership and end racially biased appraisal practices.
Central to this work, the Institute convened the first-of-its-kind New Jersey Reparations Council, which released a landmark 2025 report laying the foundation for a multi-year, state-level reparations campaign with national significance.
Ryan has also helped move New Jersey to the forefront of reimagining public safety. As a member of the Independent Monitoring Team overseeing the Newark Police Division’s federal consent decree with the United States Department of Justice, the Institute led efforts to center community engagement in the development of 16 new policing policies urged by Newark residents since the 1967 Newark Rebellion.
Before leading the Institute, Ryan served as Deputy Director of Litigation at the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, where he litigated some of the most consequential civil rights cases of our time, including twice defending the Voting Rights Act before the Supreme Court of the United States and successfully challenging Texas’s racially discriminatory photo ID law.
Ryan speaks and writes widely on race, law, democracy and power. He earned his J.D. from the University of Colorado Law School and his B.A., cum laude, from Colorado College.
Ryan serves as Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees of Colorado College, and is on the board of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center.
We Salute
Our Scholarship Recipients
Newark Youth is where the next generation of leaders and freedom keepers are made. Our Scholarship program allows us to mentor students as they navigate through their college years.
University of Pittsburg Game Programming
Tuskegee University Animal Poultry & Veterinary Sciences
GWEN OCASIO Champlain College, VT Game Programming
MARY OJO Gettysburg College Business Administration
KRISTINE ONYEBUCHI
JAYLA YOUNG
GOLD
GOLD
GOLD
GOLD
GOLD
GOLD
GOLD
NAACP
Newark, New Jersey
THE FIGHT CONTINUES
Recognizing and celebrating the social, political and economic contributions of Ryan Haygood, Siree Morris and Ayana Morris
Miles M. Hunter, Esq.
The Law Firm of Miles M. Hunter
(Real Estate Transactions/Zoning-Planning Board)
Newark, N.J. (973) 589-8578
mileshunter@hunterlaw.org
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NEWARK NAACP AND TO ALL HONOREES
UNION CHAPEL AME
209 Wainwright St., Newark, NJ. 07112
Rev. Dr. Larry D. Jennings, Senior Pastor
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NEWARK NAACP AND TO ALL THE 2026 HONOREES
BARBARA WADE
Life Member of the NAACP
CONGRATULATIONS!
Newark Branch NAACP 2026 Freedom Fund Gala The Honorees and Lt. Governor Rev. Dr. Dale Caldwell
Mother Kathryn Helms Harris, born in Newark, N.J. on March 6, 1922 (104-Years-Young). West Side High School Class of Jan. 1939; 70 years a Newark church musician; A Founder of Metropolitan Baptist Church (1938); Alumni of Newark’s National Youth Administration (NYA) Chorus (1939); Employee of Newark’s Community Hospital (1940-43); Employee of the Office of Dependency Benefits (“ODB”)(1943 -46); Employee of the N.J. Division of Labor and Industry (1948 – 87); V. P. of the Woodlands Residence Council (2000 -present)
