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Coalitions Member,
In the final days of Black History Month we wanted to take a moment to highlight a number of our NJDSC Caucus Chairs that are incredible Black leaders throughout the state and nation that are continuing to do the work of making America a more equitable place for ALL. We are so lucky to have them leading our Coalitions program and creating space for Democrats across the state to come together and get involved in the democratic process. We also wanted to share a panel discussion on voting rights we have going on tomorrow, hosted by the Black Caucus.
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Black Caucus Chair T. Missy Balmir has served in senior roles for New Jersey’s top government and political leaders at federal, state and municipal levels. She specializes in developing effective strategies for long- term and short-term planning; data-driven outreach; stakeholder engagement and advocacy. Missy’s track record of success has also been driven by her ability to understand and navigate the political, business and community landscape with common-sense approaches. She is considered to be one of the most forward-thinking operatives in the Garden State.
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Black Caucus Vice-Chair Eash Haughton specializes in campaign management, strategic communications, issue advocacy and public policy. He is a Senior Associate at Kivvit. Eash received his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Cum Laude with a minor in African - American Studies from The College of New Jersey and his Masters of Public Policy with a concentration in Political Processes and Institutions from Rutgers University.
The mission of the Black Caucus is to educate and engage the Black community to drive change across the state that reflects our values and ideals, and we are so grateful to have Missy and Eash leading the charge in the fight to make New Jersey, and the country as a whole, a more inclusive, accessible, and equitable place.
Missy and Eash have worked tirelessly in their roles to increase the visibility of Black leaders, mobilize voters on issues that affect Black New Jerseyans, and fight for increased representation at all levels of government.
Keep up with the Black Caucus on Facebook [[link removed]] and Instagram [[link removed]] .
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Emerging Leaders Caucus Chair Fatima Heyward is the youngest Commissioner on the New Jersey Amistad Commission, appointed by Governor Phil Murphy in 2022. In addition to being the Chair of the NJDSC Emerging Leaders Caucus, Fatima is also the first African American woman president of the New Jersey Young Democrats. She is also theIssue Advocacy Director for Young Democrats of America, co-founder of the South Jersey Young Democrats Black Caucus, Vice Chair for the Evesham Human Rights Advisory Council, Diversity Chair for New Leaders Council New Jersey, and member of Rider University's Alumni Board of Directors.
Fatima graduated Cum Laude in Communications from Rider University in 2015 and is a proud sister of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She has received multiple awards for her leadership and community service, including the NAACP Visionary Leader Award and SJ Magazine's Woman to Watch Award. She has a strong commitment to social justice, DEIB, racial equity, and public service. Her goal is to equip young leaders and community members with the tools and resources to stand up for their human and civil rights. Fatima is passionate about delivering powerful, impactful messages, igniting a fire in young people to take action, and spreading love and kindness.
Keep up with NJDSC’s Emerging Leaders Caucus on Facebook [[link removed]] and Instagram [[link removed]] .
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Veterans Caucus Chair Debbie Hamilton-Clax grew up in Brooklyn and dreamed of doing exciting things that were different from the norm. After graduating Dobbs Ferry HS, Debbie went to college for one year then enlisted in the US Navy as a cryptologist. During her enlistment, Debbie supported her recon squadron during Operation Desert Storm. Motherhood guided her decision to leave the Navy but once her youngest child enlisted in the US Marines, Debbie went back to school and earned her degree in computer security. Because Debbie missed serving her country, she began volunteering with domestic abuse and sexual assault survivors. This prompted her to volunteer as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), something she continues to do. After joining her local American Legion post, Debbie began volunteering and was trained as the post service officer. Last year, Debbie became the NJ Director of the DNC Veterans and Military Council and the Chair of the NJDSC Veterans Caucus, where she works to mobilize voters around issues concerning New Jersey’s veterans community. Debbie is still continuing her education at Rutgers, majoring in Public Policy.
Keep up with the Veterans Caucus on Facebook [[link removed]] and Instagram [[link removed]] .
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Women's Caucus Chair A'Dorian Murray-Thomas is the Founder & CEO of SHE Wins Inc., a leadership and mentoring organization for girls who, like her, lost a loved one to gun violence. Born and raised in the city of Newark, A’Dorian made history when at 23 years old, she became the youngest woman ever elected to the Newark Board of Education, representing the largest school district in the state of New Jersey. She was recently re-elected to the Board this past April. In that role, she has authored and advocated for policies and practices that promote culturally relevant curriculum, youth-based decision making, retention and hiring of diverse staff, and investing in student mental health. A’Dorian has been recognized as a President Obama White House Champion of Change, Glamour Magazine “College Woman of the Year”, and NAACP NextGen Leadership Fellow, among other incredible accolades. A’Dorian is a 2016 graduate of Swarthmore College and currently a candidate for a Master of Arts in Religion concentrating in Social Ethics at Union Theological Seminary in New York City, while continuing to Chair and lead the NJDSC Women’s caucus in mobilizing and empowering Democratic women across the state.
Keep up with NJDSC’s Women’s Caucus on Facebook [[link removed]] and Instagram [[link removed]] , and Twitter [[link removed]] .
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Black History Month Voting Rights Panel [[link removed]]
Tuesday, February 28, 2023
TIME: 6:00 P.M.- 8:30 P.M.
PLACE: The Woodland,
60 Woodland Road, Maplewood, NJ 07040
Join Coalitions for our first in a panel series! This month we are honoring Black History Month with a discussion about voting rights that is hosted by the Black Caucus. Sponsoring Caucuses: Emerging Leaders, Hindu, Latino, LGBTQ+, Muslim, Progressive & South Asian American
Moderators: Black Caucus Chair T. Missy Balmir & Black Caucus Vice-Chair Eash Haughton
Panelists: Tim Alexander - Civil Trial Attorney & Former Congressional District 2 Candidate
Reginald Bledsoe - Director of the Essex County Office of LGBTQ+ Affairs
Athina Fassu - Chair of the Mercer County Young Democrats & Legislative Director to Assemblyman Wayne P. DeAngelo
Jimmy Small - President of the Muslim League of Voters of New Jersey
Panel will begin at 6:30 PM followed by a meet and greet afterwards! Food and beverages will be provided.
RSVP HERE [[link removed]]
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Women's History Month Reproductive and Maternal Health Panel [[link removed]]
Wednesday, March 8, 2023
TIME: 6:00 P.M.- 8:30 P.M.
PLACE: War Memorial
1 Memorial Drive, Trenton, NJ 08608
In March we are celebrating Women's History Month with a panel discussion on reproductive and maternal health hosted by the Women's Caucus. Sponsoring Caucuses: AANHPI, Latino, Jewish, Veterans, Women, LGBTQ+, South Asian American, Hindu, Emerging Leaders & Progressive
Moderators: Women's Caucus Chair A'Dorian Murray-Thomas & Southern Regional Vice-Chair Commissioner Caren Fitzpatrick
Panel will begin at 6:30 PM followed by a meet and greet afterwards! Food and beverages will be provided. Panelists will be announced shortly!
RSVP HERE [[link removed]]
We hope to see you at one of our upcoming events [[link removed]] !
-NJDSC Team Coalitions
P.S. - Stay tuned for info on our Environmental Justice Panel in April that will be hosted by the Progressive Caucus!
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Paid for by the New Jersey Democratic State Committee.
New Jersey Democratic State Committee
194-196 West State Street
Trenton, NJ 08608
United States
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