He was born, raised and remains a lifelong resident of Newark with a family history in the city that began with the immigration of his maternal grandfather from Southern Italy in 1899.
He is employed with the New Community Corporation (NCC) in Newark as director for Special Projects with a focus on Resident Organizing, Civic Engagement and Public Policy Awareness and Advocacy initiatives. In addition he oversees the NCC Federal Credit Union Youth and Adult Financial Literacy Training programs.
He has had extensive experience in Newark grassroots community organizing and neighborhood policy development. Previous positions include Executive Director for the Newark Coalition for Neighborhoods and Associate Director for Economic Initiatives, Newark Fighting Back Partnership.
He currently serves as the Chairperson for the Newark Community Development Network and chairs the Master Plan Working Group Coalition. He is an Executive Committee member of the Newark Branch NAACP and is a Board member of the Lincoln Park Coast Cultural District in Newark, the Jersey Urban Debate League and the Aljira Center for Contemporary Art in Newark. Previous Board affiliations include chairperson of the Fair Lending Coalition of N.J. and founding Board member of the Community Loan Fund of N.J.
Between 2002 and 2008 he served two terms as an elected member of the Newark Public Schools Advisory Board and chaired the Facilities Committee, Finance Committee and Curriculum Committee during the course of his tenure. He also served on two State-appointed Search Committees reviewing Superintendent candidates for the Newark Public Schools District.
He is a published poet and has had featured readings in Newark, surrounding towns and in various venues in New York City. He has performed with the Kimako’s Blues People Poetry and Jazz Collective, a group established by Amina and Amiri Baraka and he has served as the poetry editor for the Newark Arts Council Newsletter.
He graduated from Rutgers University Newark with a Bachelors Degree in English.
Nancy Darlene Crawford is a native of Roselle, NJ and Spindale, NC. Nancy is a Project Manager for Deutsche Bank in the financial district of downtown New York City. Amongst her many accomplishments, Nancy is currently pursuing her M.B.A. in Social Sciences at New York University.
In 2016, Nancy was a recipient of the 2016 Black Women that Rocks award for Public Service. Community service is Nancy’s life, and as a Board Member of the Believe in Newark Foundation and member of the National Action Network NYC Chapter, she is consistently providing community service throughout the 5 boroughs of New York and City of Newark through her Firm’s Employee Volunteer Program.
Her faith in God has allowed her to work whenever and wherever and she firmly believes that whether it’s painting a basketball court, cleaning a bathroom or serving food, it should be done with a spirit of humbleness, sincerity and love for serving others. Her Pastor and spiritual counselor, Rev. Dr. Milton Biggham often reminds her that only what you do for Christ will last.
Nancy’s favorite hobbies are modeling, reading and providing commentating services for church and community events. She is the proud mother of 2 daughters, Rhyan and Andreya and grandmother of 4; Zahir, Rian Noel, Miliah and Ayah~Marie, whom she identifies as her heartbeats.
“Everybody can be great, because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve. You don't have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.” ~ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
LaMonica McIver is a Newark Native. She's a graduate of Central High School. Alumni of Bloomfield College holding a B.A., in English Literature and of Seton Hall University holding a M.A. in Educational Leadership & Policy. She has worked in the educational sector for over ten years, serving Essex, Burlington, and Hudson Counties. She has over 15 years’ experience dedicated to community involvement, community engagement, and non-profit organizations.
She's the Founder of Newark G.A.L.S., Inc., President of The Best Result Agency, & Executive Director of Human Resources in Burlington County.
Mr. Andre Hollis was born and raised in Newark, NJ and has over 20 years of experience in education. It started with his love of the elementary experience and belief in the importance of the elementary education that led Mr. Hollis to accept his previous position. In 2006 he was appointed Director (Principal) of New Horizon Community Charter School, a K-7 elementary school in the City of Newark. He began his career in education serving as a teacher-leader, school leadership team and technology coordinator for Plainfield Public Schools and was named teacher of the year for Barlow Elementary School in 2001. Among his accomplishments, Mr. Hollis earned a Master’s degree in Education & Supervision from Cambridge University in Massachusetts, and a BA from Rutgers University. Andre was accepted to Harvard University’s Principal’s Institute where he trained alongside educational leaders from around the world. A Vailsburg High School alumnus, Andre was one of the founding members of Black Nia FORCE, the Newark chapter-based organization that initiated citywide feedings and clothing, voter education/registration, cultural/educational programming, mobile health screenings, and rental assistance.
Mr. Hollis’ greatest initiative is to provide the leadership that will facilitate a school environment that offers rich instruction to meet the needs of all students. He is excited to promote exploration of new ideas and feels truly honored to be the director of New Horizon Community Charter School.
Mr. Hollis has made numerous professional presentations, including workshops on establishing school and community partnerships, providing extra time and support for students, and integrating technology into education. Today he serves as a coordinator with The Coalition to House the Homeless, an initiative that provides overnight shelter to the underserved population.