AC Joseph Media

  EDITOR's NOTE: This is the first in a new monthly column for Front Runner New Jersey called "Pressing Forward," authored by educator and renowned cultural commentor Rann Miller. The subject discussed by Miller will be his views. BY RANN MILLER | For AC JosepH Media Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a champion for justice; justice for Black people, the poor, and all marginalized and oppressed people worldwide. His work centered on fighting against the power structure to bring justice to society. Therefore, the Day of Service in “honor” of this work is utter bull. King worked to eradicate injustice caused by racism, capitalism, and militarism. He didn’t die so that we could volunteer one day out of the year. He did not die so that we could feel good about a one-day “activism.” That was not his legacy.   Read the rest of the column here .

  BY CLYDE HUGHES | AC JosepH Media PENNSVILLE — Aurelia Rodriguez is proud to be a naturalized citizen of the United States and wanted to share her journey of how the Puerto Rican Action Committee of Southern New Jersey’s Hispanic Women’s Resource Center helped her in her quest. For PRAC’s executive director Elliot Hernandez , Rodriguez’s story is one of the examples of how they are trying to make a difference in the lives of Latinos who feel they have few other places to go in today’s climate that can make the life of immigrants in the United States difficult. Read the rest of the story here .

      AC JosepH Media   NORTHFIED -- The community came together on Friday, January 17, for a powerful Shabbat Service at Beth Israel honoring Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The evening was filled with reflection, hope, and a shared commitment to justice and equality.     The service featured presentations of  the Third Annual Beth Israel/NAACP Spirit of MLK Awards to area high school seniors, as well as a keynote address from a national award-winning author and participation from community religious leaders and choirs. Five local students were honored and author Michael Twitty was the keynote speaker. READ the rest of the story here .      

  BY CLYDE HUGHES | AC JosepH Media BERLIN – Chesilhurst Mayor Jamila Odom was chosen second vice president of the Camden County Mayors Association at the organization's event held at Lucien's Manor on Wednesday, Jan. 15.  Elected by the 30-member-plus-member body, Odom becomes the highest-ranked woman and Black in the association, made up of mayors throughout Camden County. Read the rest of the story here.

BY CLYDE HUGHES | AC Joseph Media PAULSBORO — Paulsboro councilman Tahje Thomas , at 26, became the youngest person ever to be elected council president in the borough of Paulsboro and in Gloucester County during its reorganization meeting this week. Thomas is a business teacher at Paulsboro High School , where he was once a student leader and served as senior class president. He was elected to council in 2023. He also leads a school-based mentorship program that assists middle school students with improving social emotional skills and lowering student disciplinary infractions. “It is truly an honor to serve in this position and it is a very exciting opportunity that I have been blessed with,” Thomas told Front Runner New Jersey when asked about how it felt to be chosen by his fellow council members for the leadership role.  Read the rest of the story here.

  Photo courtesy of Bryce Rozier BY CLYDE HUGHES | AC JosepH Media MOORESTOWN – Quinton Law made history again on Monday night as he was sworn-in as the first Black mayor of Moorestown Township during a reorganization. The Moorestown native, 27, who had already made history as the first African American and youngest person to serve on council, had been deputy mayor before the organization. Former Mayor Nicole Gillespie is currently running for New Jersey Assembly to fill the seat left vacant by current U.S. Rep. Herb Conaway.  Read the rest of the story here .