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New Jersey Insider
Minority Leaders A-C
| Cecil J. Banks, Esq. |
| Partner |
| Banks Erlanger |
| One Gateway Center |
| Newark, NJ 07102 |
| Phone:
(973) 648-0800 |
| Fax:
(973) 648-0700 |
|
| Partner
in own law firm, former partner with SILLS,
CUMMIS law firm> Serves as City Attorney, City of Orange> Active
Democrat, fundraiser for various campaigns, including Congressman ROBERT
TORRICELLI 1996 US Senate campaign> Served as legislative
counsel, Orange City Council 1980-84; general counsel, Newark Board of
Education 1978-82> J.D. RUTGERS
UNIVERSITY, M.P.A. University of Pittsburgh, B.A. Duquesne University. |
| Gloria Bonilla, Ph.D |
| Assistant Professor |
| School of Social Work |
| Rutgers University |
| Camden, NJ 08102 |
| Phone:
(609) 757-6348 |
| |
| Director
and founder, Hispanic Women Leadership Institute at RUTGERS UNIVERSITY>
Appointed 1990 by Governor JAMES
FLORIO to Transition Committee and to Audit Commission evaluating
State government spending> Publications include books, articles on
Hispanic social, economic issues, most recent book on Hispanic Women
Leaders (1990)> 1992-93
Treasurer, NJ DEMOCRATIC STATE COMMITTEE; member, NJ Democratic Hispanic Task
Force> Awards include 1988 National Competitive Fellowship at Harvard
University; 1987 National Leadership Award, National Network of Hispanic
Women> Joined Rutgers faculty 1981, previously instructor, CAMDEN
COUNTY COLLEGE> Ph.D. (sociology), M.A. City University of NY,
M.S.W. RUTGERS UNIVERSITY, B.A. ROWAN
UNIVERSITY. |
| Yvonne Bonitto-Doggett |
| Deputy Executive
Director |
| Casino Reinvestment
Development Authority |
| 1014 Atlantic Avenue |
| Atlantic City, NJ 08401 |
| Phone:
(609)
347-0500 |
| Fax:
(609) 347-7648 |
| |
| Appointed
1992 to second-ranking staff position on NJ
CASINO REINVESTMENT DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, oversees investment of tax
funds from casino-hotels in economic development projects in Atlantic
City, other areas> Previously director of economic development for
Atlantic County> Appointed 1991 by Governor JAMES
FLORIO as board member, NJ
CASINO REINVESTMENT DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY> Appointed 1986 by
Governor THOMAS H. KEAN as chair, NJ
DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY FOR SMALL BUSINESS, MINORITIES AND WOMEN'S
ENTERPRISE> Chair since 1982, Atlantic City Planning Board>
Serves on numerous other State and county boards dealing with development,
planning, health care, education and job training> Author of paper,
‘Blacks in Atlantic County's Economy - Past and Present’> M.A.
Lincoln University. |
| Cory
Booker |
| Partner |
| Booker,
Rabinowitz, Trenk, Lubetkin, Tully, DiPasquale and Webster |
| 60
Park Place |
| Newark,
NJ 07102 |
| Phone:
(973) 243-8600 |
| Web
Site: www.brtlawfirm.com
|
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Lost May 2002 election for mayor of Newark, defeated
by incumbent SHARPE
JAMES
by 53-46% margin after bitter, expensive campaign gaining
national media attention> Now partner at law firm
with offices in West Orange and Newark, also heads nonprofit,
Newark Now> Sworn in July 1998 as council
member for Newark’s Central Ward at age 29, youngest
ever elected to Newark City Council, gave up seat to
run for mayor>
Former community lawyer and tenant adviser for US Department
of Housing and Urban Development Low-income Tenant
Association, also former Director of Newark Youth Project
and volunteer for Newark's Just One Neighborhood Program,
Newark's Do something Fund, and for Safe Neighborhood
Action Plan,
Youth Advocate in Harlem’s Youth and Family Justice
Center> Grew up in Harrington Park, high school All-American
athlete and NJ Football Player of Year> Played football
for Stanford University on athletic scholarship, named
to Academic
All PAC-10 Team, received B.A. in Political Science
1991 and M.A. in Sociology in 1992 from Stanford, also
Dean’s Award for Public Service and Wallace Sterling
Award for Service To Community>
Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University, earned Honors Degree
in Modern History at Oxford 1994, later received law
degree
from Yale Law School> Serves on Stanford University
Board of Trustees. |
| Hamilton
V. Bowser, Sr., P.E. |
| President |
| Evanbow Construction Co. |
| 67 Sanford Street |
| East Orange, NJ 07018 |
| Phone:
(973) 674-1250 |
| |
| Founder
in 1969 of one of largest black-owned construction and engineering firms
in US> National spokesman on minority construction, procurement
issues> Past President, National Association of Minority Contractors,
National Minority Construction Foundation> Board member, REGIONAL
PLAN ASSOCIATION> Chairman, Mayor's Task Force on Newark Economic
Development> B.S. (1952) in engineering and current member, board of
trustees, NJ INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. |
| Raymond A. Brown, Esq. |
| Brown and Brown |
| Gateway 1 |
| Newark, NJ 07102 |
| Phone:
(973) 622-1846 |
| Fax:
(973) 622-2223 |
| |
| Attorney
considered one of NJ's leading criminal defense trial lawyers> Clients
have included former Mayor James L. Usry of Atlantic City, other
government, white-collar executives> Fordham Law School, B.A. Florida
A&M> Law firm includes son, RAYMOND
M. BROWN. |
| Raymond M. Brown, Esq. |
| Brown and Brown |
| Gateway 1 |
| Newark, NJ 07102 |
| Phone:
(973) 622-1846 |
| Fax:
(973) 622-2223 |
| |
| Partner
with father, RAYMOND A. BROWN, in Newark law firm of Brown and Brown> Legal commentator and anchor at COURT TV,
and host of Emmy Award-winning NJ
NETWORK Program ‘Due Process’> Joined COURT TV as an anchor
January 1996, participated in coverage of numerous trials and appellate
hearings, including coverage of proceedings of International Criminal
Tribunal for Former Yugoslavia reporting from the Hague and anchoring
‘War Crimes on Trial’, focusing on first trial for international war
crimes violations since Nuremberg; also hosts program ‘On Appeal’
covering appellate proceedings around the country> Certified criminal
trial lawyer in NJ, handled wide variety of criminal and civil matters
including participation in nine-month trial of former US Labor Secretary
Raymond J. Donovan, and appeared in state or federal courts in 12
states> Fellow of American College of Trial Lawyers, appointed by late
Chief Justice Robert Wilentz of NJ Supreme Court for several Supreme Court
Committees, also former President of Association of Criminal Defense
Lawyers of NJ> Also authored book reviews, articles in law reviews,
newspapers, journals and periodicals on trial advocacy, legal, social and
racial issues as well as ethics and international law. |
| Wayne R. Bryant |
| Senator |
| 501 Cooper Street |
| Camden, NJ 08102 |
| Phone: (856) 757-0552 |
| Fax: (856) 541-0426 |
| |
| Selected
February 1995 by Camden County district Democratic committee
while serving IN General Assembly
to fill Senate seat vacated by death of Walter Rand, later elected to full
term> Served as Assembly majority leader, second-ranking position in NJ
Assembly leadership, for 1990-91 session, elected deputy minority leader
for 1992-93 and 1994-95 sessions after Democrats lost majority in November
1991 election> Long association with former Governor JAMES FLORIO, represents legislative district including City of
Camden> Great-grandson of fugitive slave who stayed in Lawnside on
underground railway route from South> Lawyer, partner in Camden law
firm> Former Camden County freeholder> Sponsor of controversial
welfare reform bill enacted 1992 with Florio support cutting off benefits
for additional children of welfare mothers, became model for similar
legislation across country
and for federal welfare reform program>
J.D. RUTGERS Law School, B.A.
Howard University. |
| Oswald L. Cano |
| General Manager - Corporate Responsibility |
| Public Service Electric
& Gas Co. |
| 80 Park Plaza |
| Newark, NJ 07101 |
| Phone:
(973) 430-5617 |
| |
| Responsible
for direction and management of all community affairs and charitable
contributions activities of PUBLIC
SERVICE ENTERPRISE GROUP> Formerly in marketing, customer service,
data processing , supervisory positions> Board of Trustees, NJ INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY; president, ASSOCIATION FOR CHILDREN OF NJ; NJ
COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION, Black Acheivers Commission> M.B.A.,
M.S. and B.S. (both in electrical engineering) FAIRLEIGH
DICKINSON UNIVERSITY, also completed Program for Management
Development at Harvard Business School> Native of Cuba, chairman of
Free Cuba Task Force, NJ State Commission, also cited by National Hispanic
Business Magazine as one of 500 most influential Hispanics in US. |
| Wilfredo Caraballo, Esq. |
| Professor of Law |
| Seton Hall University
Law School |
| 1 Newark Center |
| Newark, NJ 07102 |
| Phone:
(973) 642-8951 |
| |
| Also
member of NJ Assembly, first elected November 1995, ran with Essex County
Democratic organization support in successful challenge to incumbent Harry
McEnroe> Previously served as member of Governor JAMES
FLORIO Cabinet, headed Department of the Public Advocate 1990-92>
Returned to SETON HALL UNIVERSITY faculty
1992, first joined faculty 1975, served as Associate Dean (1988-90)>
Visiting Professor of Law, New York University School of Law, 1986>
Also attorney in private practice> Consultant, Legal Services
Corporation, Philadelphia Regional Office, 1978-82> Lawyer, Legal Aid
Society, Bronx, New York, 1985> Appointed to Governor's Cabinet 1990 to
head Department of the Public Advocate, created 1974 as expansion of the
office of Public Defender established 1967 to represent indigent criminal
defendants, also provides counsel for mental patients and assists citizens
before other departments and agencies of government> Former member,
Board of Education, South Orange-Maplewood School District; Martin Luther
King Commemorative Commission of NJ> J.D., New York University School
of Law, B.A., St. Joseph's Seminary and College (NY)> Hispanic. |
| C.
Edward Chaplin |
| Vice
President and Treasurer |
| The
Prudential Insurance Company of America |
| 751
Broad Street |
| Newark,
NJ 07102 |
| Phone:
(973) 802-6000 |
| |
| Started
career 1980 with NJ State government in urban planning and economic
development fields> Joined PRUDENTIAL
1983 as associate investment manager in Prudential Realty Group, working
in commercial real estate business group> Appointed regional vice
president in Prudential Mortgage Capital Company in 1989, managing
Prudential's commercial mortgage origination and servicing business in
northeast> 1992 transferred to Treasurer's Department as vice president
and assistant treasurer, with responsibilities for banking and cash
management; 1993 promoted to
managing director and assistant
treasurer, with responsibility for managing Prudential's debt issuance, relationship with major credit rating agencies and credit analysis;
November 1995, appointed vice president and
treasurer> Member of Executive Leadership Council--group of high-level
black corporate executives focused on improving skills and access
of black senior executives at
large US corporations> B.A. RUTGERS
UNIVERSITY 1978, Master's degree in City and Regional Planning from
Harvard University 1980. |
| Joseph
H. Charles, Jr. |
| Assemblyman |
| 115 Martin Luther King, Jr.
Drive |
| Jersey City NJ 07305 |
| Phone: (201) 432-1400 |
| Fax: (201) 432-1750: |
| e-mail: asmcharles@njleg.state.nj.us |
|
| Hudson County Democrat and
Associate Minority Leader, candidate 2001 for State Senate>
Chairs Legislative Black Caucus> 1992 candidate for Mayor of Jersey
City> Lawyer, J.D. Rutgers Law School, B.A. RUTGERS UNIVERSITY>
Deputy Attorney General 1970-71> Partner in Newark law firm of Ashley
& Charles. |
| Barbara
Bell Coleman |
| President |
| BBC Consultants |
| 649 Lake Street |
| Newark, NJ 07104 |
| Phone:
(973) 482-9247 |
| |
| Served
1992-97 as president of AMELIOR FOUNDATION established by RAYMOND
CHAMBERS supporting inner-city education, other support programs>
Previously CEO 1983-92 of Boys and Girls' Clubs of Newark, coordinated
youth development programs for
5,000 Newark youngsters continues as board chairman> Prior positions
include chief of prevention for Division of Narcotic and Drug Abuse
Control, NJ Department of Health 1978-83, director of Essex County drug
treatment center 1978> Serves on various boards, including SAINT
PETER'S COLLEGE; PARK PLACE ENTERTAINMENT; HORIZON BLUECROSS
BLUESHIELD OF NJ; NJ PERFORMING ARTS CENTER; NJ SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA; CITY
NATIONAL BANK; NEWARK MUSEUM> M.P.H. (public health) Columbia
University, B.A. RUTGERS UNIVERSITY> Received 1990 national
award with Raymond Chambers from United Way for youth
work.
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| James H. Coleman |
| Associate Justice |
| Supreme Court of New Jersey |
| 155 Morris Avenue |
| Springfield, NJ 07081 |
| Phone:
(973) 564-9595 |
| |
| Nominated
October 1994 by Governor CHRISTINE
TODD WHITMAN to be first black on NJ
SUPREME COURT, replaced retiring Justice Robert L. Clifford December
1994> Serving as Appellate Division judge upon appointment, first
appointed judge of Union County Court 1973, then to Superior Court 1978,
named to Appellate Division of Superior Court 1981, a presiding judge
since 1987> J.D. Howard University Law School 1959, B.A. Virginia State
University 1956. |
| Leonard S. Coleman, Jr. |
| Consultant-Major League Baseball |
| 895
Church Lane |
| Middletown,
NJ 07748 |
| Phone:
(732) 706-9015 |
| |
| Former
President of National League, resigned at end of 1999, remains senior
adviser to Major League Baseball>
President of Newark Sports & Entertainment, developer of
proposed Newark arena for NJ Devils and NJ Nets>
Former Cabinet officer in administration of Governor THOMAS H. KEAN, served as Commissioner, Department of Energy,
subsequently Commissioner, DEPARTMENT
OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS from
1982 until resignation 1988 to accept position in government finance with
Kidder Peabody> Evaluated possible 1988 campaign for Republican US
Senate nomination, terminated plans after failing to gain support of
Governor Kean> Fundraiser for George Bush
2000 Presidential campaign, first met Bush through baseball during
Bush tenure as president of Texas Rangers, potential appointee for Bush
cabinet position> Delegate, 1988, 1984 Republican National
Conventions> Former president, Greater Newark Urban Coalition;
missionary in Africa for Protestant Episcopal Church; Newark
elementary school teacher> Executive in municipal finance with Kidder
Peabody investment firm until 1991 appointment to new position with Major
League Baseball to develop new markets, named March 1994
as chief executive overseeing National League, highest-ranking
black official in major US professional sports, until resigning 1999 after
reported conflict with new baseball commissioner Bud Selig> High school
All-American football player for Montclair, also played semi-pro
baseball> Holds master's degree in public administration from Kennedy
School at Harvard 1975 and second master's degree in education and social
policy from Graduate School of Education at Harvard 1976, B.S. from PRINCETON
UNIVERSITY 1971> First black to score touchdown for Princeton, one
of several black team members to allege discrimination in Princeton
football program> Serves as board member, H. J. Heinz Co.; Avis Rent a
Car; CIT Group;
SCHUMANN
FUND FOR NJ; Owens-Corning; Omnicom Group; chairman, Boys
& Girls Clubs of Newark; past director,
HORIZON BLUE CROSS-BLUE
SHIELD OF NJ> Recruited 1995 by FINN
M.W. CASPERSEN to serve as chairman, WATERLOO
FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS, in effort to assist Waterloo Village historic
village and arts center after disclosure of severe financial deficit,
unpaid claims threatening continued operations. |
| Herbert
C. Conaway, Jr., M.D. |
| Assemblyman |
| Delran Professional
Center |
| 8008 Route 130 North |
| Delran NJ 08035 |
| Phone: (86) 461-3997 |
| Fax: (86) 461-3823 |
| e-mail: asmconaway@njleg.state.nj.us |
| |
| Elected
to first Assembly term in November 1997> Physician on staff of COOPER
MEDICAL CENTER in Camden, wife Kathleen also a physician at Cooper>
Served as US Air Force captain in medical corps at McGuire Air Force Base
as general medical officer and as assistant director of primary care
clinic> While serving in Air Force, also obtained law degree from RUTGERS
UNIVERSITY Law School at Camden>Served as president of American
Medical Students Association and as Democratic County Committeeman;
member, MEDICAL SOCIETY OF NJ> B.A. PRINCETON
UNIVERSITY; M.D. Jefferson Medical College (Philadelphia). |
| Nilsa Cruz-Perez |
| Assemblywoman |
| 514 Cooper Street |
| Camden, NJ 08102 |
| Phone: (8) 541-1251 |
| Fax: (856) 541-3415 |
| e-mail: aswcruz-perez@njleg.state.nj.us |
| |
| Selected
February 1995 to fill vacancy created by resignation of Assemblyman WAYNE
BRYANT when Bryant was selected to fill Senate seat vacated by death
of Senator Walter Rand> First Hispanic woman to serve in NJ
Legislature> Executive assistant to former Camden Mayor Arnold Webster,
also staff member, Cooper's Ferry Development Corp. waterfront development
public-private agency> Member, Latino/Hispanic Outreach Task Force,
Democratic National Committee>Trained as nurse, also served in US Army,
operated heavy trucks and forklifts> Born in Puerto Rico, attended
University of Puerto Rico, worked for Puerto Rico Democratic Party. |
| Glen D. Cunningham |
| Mayor |
| City of Jersey City |
| 280 Grove Street |
| Jersey City, NJ 07302 |
| Phone: (201) 547-5200 |
|
| Elected June 2001 as first
black mayor in Jersey City, also first in Hudson County, defeated City
Council president Thomas DeGise by 53.1-47% margin in runoff election>
Unsuccessful mayoral candidate 1990, lost run-off election to Gerald
McCann> Former US Marshal for NJ 1996-2000, first black appointed to
post> Elected to Jersey City Council 1981, became Council president
1985> Hudson County freeholder 1975-78> Served as Jersey City police
captain 1985-90, homicide detective and officer, also public safety
director for Hudson County> Marine Corps veteran> B.A. Jersey City
State College, (now NEW JERSEY CITY UNIVERSITY), received distinguished
alumnus award 1975 |
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