FRNJ 2024 Newsmakers of the Year
BY CLYDE HUGHES | AC JosepH Media
ATLANTIC CITY — There was no shortage of news in 2024.
While the presidential election year generates and tends to dominate the headlines, there were individuals to made positive news for various reason—making history through elections and other endeavors, saving lives and making sure history is not forgotten.
People of color in South Jersey played critical roles in creating some of those most memorable stories.
On Front Runner New Jersey’s list of 2024 Newsmakers of the Year, there are inspiring, yet tragic stories that shared the spotlight with some who managed to even land on the Moon. All the same, their stories are encouraging and unforgettable.
We also present a list of more than a dozen “Special Mentions,” people and organizations you should key your eye on as they continue to evolve and find their own special places in the upcoming year.
Presenting Front Runner New Jersey 2024 Newsmakers of the Year:
Newsmakers of the Year:
City of Atlantic City, Visit Atlantic City, Visit Mississippi and others
Fannie Lou Hamer Historical Marker, Kennedy Plaza, Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall
Civil rights icon Fannie Lou Hamer would have never imagined, even with the history being made at the 1964 Democratic National Convention in Atlantic City, that her words and actions would be remembered some 60 years later.
She would have never had imagined that Mississippi’s governor would travel to Atlantic City to honor her. Yet on Aug. 20 at the Kennedy Plaza behind Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall, an almost unthinkable reckoning took place with a historical marker in her honor, led by the state that once rejected her.
READ: Mississippi’s Deadly Freedom Summer Remembered in Atlantic City
Hamer led the integrated Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party’s attempt to get seated during the tumultuous 1964 convention at Boardwalk Hall. Current Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves traveled to Atlantic City along with officials from Visit Mississippi, the Mississippi Humanities Council to make sure Hamer’s legacy was honored and secured.
And with it, making sure an important part of American political history would not be forgotten.
While the Mississippi Democratic Freedom Party was unsuccessful in 1964, which played out in front of TV cameras globally, it led Mississippi having its first integrated delegation in 1968. It marked the first time a Mississippi Freedom Trail historical marker has been placed outside of the state.
Those involved on the New Jersey end of the recognition included Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small, Council Vice President Kaleem Shabazz, Visit Atlantic City, New Jersey Humanities and the State of New Jersey.
Newsmaker of the Year:
Coach Bill Belton, Winslow Township
Winslow High School
After attending Winslow High School as a student, Bill Belton knew how much a state championship would mean to the community. Belton led the team this fall to its first state football title with a perfect 14-0 record with a 35-0 win over Philipsburg in the Group 4 state championship game at Rutgers University.
While it means a lot to the community, Belton became a role model for African American coaches and young men. It remains rare for an African American coach to lead his team to a New Jersey state title. In 2023, no Black head coaches won a NJ state football title. This year, Belton was the only one.
“I know winning a state championship would mean everything for this community,” Belton told Front Runner New Jersey. “I have to credit my players. I wanted to show them if they put in the work and do the right things—on the field and off the field—that good things are going to happen to them, and they saw that this year.”
Winslow came close last year, reaching the Group 4 semifinals before losing to Mainland Regional. The Eagles avenged that loss during the regular season to go undefeated. It marked only the second time in New Jersey High School football history that a team has gone 14-0.
Winslow Principal Kurt Marella said one of the things that helps Belton connect with his players is that he is a former student at Winslow and relates to them at the most personal level.
“We’re both from here and I think it’s a real advantage,” Marella said. “He’s been in their shoes before and a lot of times he knows what they are going through. He cares about them on and off the field and as people and students, not just football players.”
That relationship has helped turn Winslow into one of the top public school football programs in the state and this year he helped give the community an early Christmas present.
Newsmaker of the Year:
U.S. Rep.-elect Dr. Herb Conaway, Delran
New Jersey Assemblyman
While Andy Kim made the most headlines running for U.S. Senate in New Jersey, the man replacing him in the House of Representatives, Dr. Herb Conaway, made history of his own in November.
Conaway put his 20-plus year career in the New Jersey Assembly on the line in running for Congress. Often referred to as the “smartest man in the legislator”— a practicing physician who also holds a law degree—Conaway has been a member of the New Jersey Assembly since 1998 in District 7.
With his November victory over Republican Rajesh Mohan, Conaway became the first Black to represent South Jersey in Congress.
READ: Conaway on the Verge of Making History
“I am honored, humbled and extremely grateful to the voters of New Jersey District 3 for electing me to be your next Representative,” Conaway said on Facebook after the November election. “Now more than ever, we need strong leadership in Washington and I promise to fight every day for the people of this district.”
Conaway, who is also a U.S. Air Force veteran, called on his medical experience in saying he would be a vote to codify abortion protections similarly laid out in Roe v. Wade, which was struck down as federally protected by the U.S. Supreme Court.
In the New Jersey Assembly, Conaway was chairman of the Health Committee, a member of the Budget Committee, and a member of the Military and Veterans Affairs Committee.
Newsmaker of the Year:
John Harmon, Trenton
President and CEO, African American Chamber of Commerce of NJ
No one has beaten the drum louder than John Harmon over the lack of contracts Blacks and other people of color have received from the state. Harmon has confronted Gov. Phil Murphy, state legislators and held town hall meetings sponsored by the AACCNJ around the state, pointing out the appalling low number of contracts minorities receive and how little has been done about it, especially among Black legislators.
“Where is the outrage,” Harmon said recently at his annual Party With a Purpose during the League of Municipalities convention in Atlantic City in November. Harmon said while he sometimes feels like the one of few bringing up the subject, that has not slowed him down one iota in fighting for Black businesses and other minority companies.
Harmon has not been shy about challenging Black NJ legislators about getting on board to challenge the state or telling them when their efforts fall short.
In September, Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter, chair of the Legislative Black Caucus, Assemblyman Benjie E. Wimberly, speaker pro tempore, held a news conference to announce a package of legislation designed to address the findings of the New Jersey Disparity Study.
Harmon held his own news conference the same day telling them and the state the packages were not enough.
“Having liquidated damages and potential claw back provisions add teeth and enforcement to the A-4586. Without an enforcement mechanism, the bill is aspirational and will not do anything to advance the MWBE under utilization rate in New Jersey,” Harmon said in his September statement.
Harmon has repeatedly called on supporters to get behind stronger penalties for companies who do not make a strong effort to hire African Americans and other minorities for government contract jobs. He said anything less would amount to lip service.
Newsmaker of the Year:
Hispanic Leadership Association of New Jersey
Like many nonprofits and businesses, the Hispanic Leadership Association was stalled by the COVID-19 pandemic for two years. While such a loss of time would have crippled most organizations, the HLA-NJ has bounced back strongly to provide the critical space for highlighting policy and leadership for the state’s growing Latino population.
READ: Johnny Santiago Speaks of Goals for HLA-NJ
While statewide, the organization has a distinct South Jersey influence, being founded by former NJ assemblyman and current Camden City Council President Angel Fuentes and is guided by current board President Johnny Santiago, the former Officer of the Year with the Delaware River Port Authority of Pennsylvania and New York and the Port Authority Transit Corporation.
Sparked by such outstanding board members like Mimi Nambo, of the City of Atlantic City’s Office of Multicultural Services, Bridgeton City Council’s Rosemary DeQuinzio, Rowan University’s Dr. Margarita Olivencia, Lisette Gonzalez, Melissa Quiles, and Nydia Rosario, the HLA-NJ has conducted two successful galas that have highlighted Latino leadership around the state and upcoming leaders from the next generation with its scholarship program.
Jacquelyn Suarez, the first Hispanic to serve as the state’s Department of Community Affairs, served as the keynote speaker to the latest HLA gala in Vineland, where the organization honored the late Ralph Padilla, of the Puerto Rican Action Committee of Southern New Jersey.
Because of the determination of the HLA board and founders to keep the organization alive, Latinos around the state continue to have a home to address their concerns and policies.
Newsmaker of the Year:
U.S. Sen. Andy Kim, Moorestown
Andy Kim completed his historic political run in November when defeated Republican Curtis Bashaw to replace former Sen. Bob Menendez in the U.S. Senate representing New Jersey. The Cherry Hill native became the first Asian American to represent New Jersey in the U.S. Senate and the first Korean American ever to serve in the Senate.
Kim, who was in the House of Representatives representing District 3 at the time, took a gamble and announced a year ahead of time that he would challenge Menendez for his seat when the veteran Democrat faced federal charges for a second time. Kim, who had never run a statewide race, had to win a crowded Democratic primary field that incumbent NJ First Lady Tammy Murphy, but Kim outlasted them all.
READ: Andy Kim now U.S. Senator
“Many of you took a risk to join,” Kim said in his victory’s speech in November. “You had people doubt your choice to join our campaign. You worked long hours and struggled and stressed about the challenges we confronted.
“I hope you take pride in this moment. Whoever says young people don’t care about politics hasn’t met the young people that are the engine powering campaigns all over this nation.”
He previously worked as a career public servant under both Democrats and Republicans, having served at USAID, the Pentagon, the State Department, the White House National Security Council, and in Afghanistan as an advisor to the 4-Star commander.
Kim had served three terms in Congress, where he was first elected in 2018. He is the first Asian American elected to federal office from New Jersey. In 2018 and 2020, Andy defeated two self-funding millionaires in a district carried by former President Trump, and in 2022 Kim defeated his third self-funding millionaire opponent by 12 points.
Newsmaker of the Year:
Mayor LaDaena Thomas-Longo, Penns Grove
About this time last year, Longo had won an improbable write-in vote to retain her seat at mayor of Penns Grove and survived racially charged threats to “destroy” her that led to investigations by two local branches, of the NAACP, and the New Jersey State Conference.
Through it all, Longo survived and served through the first year of her second term stronger than ever. The allegations of racism, which came against an employee who was fired from a firm as its solicitor by Longo in 2021.
In the middle of the struggle to get re-elected, a recording emerged—allegedly by John Groff, an employee of the Lento Law firm that once served as Penns Grove solicitor—in which he made racist comments against Thomas, vowing to “destroy her.”
In a Dec. 11, 2023, article by the political website New Jersey Globe, reporters posted the recording allegedly of Groff, calling Longo a “black f***ing n****r b***h” and that he would “f***king destroy her” back in 2021. That year, Longo replaced Lento Law as its solicitor for alleged “unethical behavior.”
“It is our duty as a civil rights organization to support all who are threatened and attacked because of their background,” said Loretta Winters, president of the Gloucester County NAACP in January, who met with Longo and Salem County NAACP President Nelson Carney. “If I said what I heard was appalling, that would be an understatement.
The incident even caught the attention of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, who is now running for governor.
“I am appalled and disgusted by what has taken place and especially after hearing the voicemail recording,” Baraka told NJ Insider. “Anyone of good conscience in this state should stand by Mayor Thomas and condemn the racist, white supremacist comments.
Longo mas has risen above the efforts to unseat her and disrupt her second term and turned it into a successful first year of her second term.
Newsmaker of the Year:
Irvin Moreno Rodriguez, Pleasantville
Director, Sara and Sam Schoffer Holocaust Resource Center, Stockton University
In August, Irvin Moreno-Rodriguez made history as the first Latino to serve as director of the highly recognized Holocaust Resource Center at Stockton. He had worked under founding director Gail Rosenthal before her passing as assistant director. At the age of 30, Moreno-Rodriguez stands tall in an era where some are trying to rewrite, and even try to whitewash, the history of the Holocaust.
“The Holocaust serves as a warning of what happens when you don’t treat people with respect,” Rodriguez said in a statement issued by Stockton. “What happens when you really start spreading lies and rumors and misinformation about people and creating fear and xenophobia about others, of immigrants.
“It’s very much a warning about what can happen, but it’s also a reminder that in the darkest point in history, you still had streams of light that were willing to go out and save and rescue lives.”
Moreno-Rodriguez is a first-generation student whose parents emigrated to the United States from Mexico, giving him a special insight into the Holocaust and its survivors. He earned his master’s degree in Holocaust and Genocide Studies from Stockton in 2022.
“As a scholar and teacher in the field, Irvin possesses a special understanding of Holocaust and genocide studies that he transmits to his students and the many people who attend the center’s programs and seminars,” Leo Schoffer, a member of the HRC Executive Committee and son of Sara and Sam Schoffer.
“Irvin is very well-known and respected in his field and will bring his many connections to the center. We are truly excited with the future that Irvin will bring to the center and Stockton University.”
Newsmaker of the Year:
Sgt. Monica Mosley, Bridgeton
Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office (Posthumously)
A soldier for justice.
Few can express the shock, the emotion, and anger surrounding the death of Sgt. Monica Mosley on Oct. 15 from a senseless home invasion where she courageously tried to defend herself before her passing.
Four people will stand trial, which has been moved to Atlantic County, in connection with her death. Mosley is being recognized for the way she lived, not the way she died.
A native of Bridgeton, Mosley started her career in the prosecutor’s office as a paralegal in 2006 and three years later advanced to county detective. She worked in the special victim’s unit where she investigated sexual violence crimes against the most vulnerable in the community.
Then she worked in the professional standards unit, carrying out the function of internal affairs, which Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae said was the most important work done in her office.
“Monica was a mama bear to everyone in the office,” Webb-McRae said. “She was respected by her peers inside as well as outside of the office. Monica was and possessed what is sometimes described as ‘mother wit’ which is a natural or practical intelligence that served the CCPO well.”
Webb-McRae said at the time of her death, Mosley was working on two of the most complicated cases, which showed the professional trust she had in her ability. She said Mosley was also a tremendous personal loss to the community of Bridgeton and to her.
“She was my work friend with whom I could share my personal feelings and know that it would stay locked between us,” McRae said. “She was that person with whom I could pass a look back and forth and each of us would know that we weren’t buying what others were trying to sell.”
The prosecutor said Mosley, who earned her associate’s degree in paralegal services from what is now Rowan College South Jersey, stood as a role model for many in the community, as a single mother and someone who rose from the neighborhood to serve and protect her fellow citizens.
“Monica treated everybody right and people knew they could come to her,” Webb McRae said. “Monica sometimes had to make hard and unpopular decisions in the eyes of her peers on behalf of the community. The community lost a soldier for Justice when we lost Monica.”
Newsmaker of the Year:
U.S. Rep.-elect Nellie Pou, Paterson
New Jersey State Senate
While Nellie Pou’s district is outside of our coverage area, we could not ignore the historical significance of her win in November for a U.S. Representative seat, becoming the first Latina to represent New Jersey in Congress. She replaced the late Democratic Congressman Bill Pascrell.
Much like Dr. Herb Conaway, Pou put her long history in the New Jersey legislature on the line to become a Congresswoman. She was an Assemblywoman from 1997 to 2012 and had been a state senator since then.
Pou won 50.6% of the vote, beating Republican Billy Prempeh for the seat. She ran a nine-week race against Prempeh, who had strong recognition after running against Pascrell previously and felt he had the strong chance against the Congressman again before he passed.
She has served as chair of the NJ Senate Commerce Committee, vice chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee and chair of the NJ Legislative Latino Caucus.
Pou has served as a panelist, keynote speaker or moderator for numerous national and statewide groups and has been featured on media outlets and selected one of NJ Insider 100 top Policy Makers in 2020.
She has served as a resident of the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators, a member of the National Council of State Legislators, Women in Government and the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials.
Newsmaker of the Year:
Mario Romero, Vineland native
Spacecraft Engineer, Intuitive Machines, Houston
It’s not often you can mention Vineland and space and travel in the same sentence, but Mario Romero did that and more last February as a spacecraft engineer for the private space company Intuitive Machines. In February, the Vineland High School and Rowan University graduate was part of a team that landed the Nova-C Lander Odysseus on the Moon, the first U.S. vehicle to make a soft landing on the lunar surface in 1972.
READ: Mario Romero – Vineland to the Moon
As the assembly integration and test engineer, Romero was involved in testing individual components and ultimately building the vehicle from the ground up. He also helped name the vehicle, drawing inspiration from Homer’s epic poem Odyssey and its Greek hero Odysseus, King of Ithaca.
On Feb. 22, Nova-C lander Odysseus completed a seven-day journey to lunar orbit and softly landed near crater Malapert A in the South Pole region of the Moon.
“We are so incredibly proud of what you have accomplished, your service to the country, and the important work you are now doing to help pave the way for a sustainable human presence on and around the moon,” Vineland Mayor Anthony Fanucci said in a recent Facebook post then.
He received a Key to the City in April. Romero is a graduate of Vineland High School and attended Rowan University prior to joining the Navy. After completing his service, he began studying astrophysics and astronomy at San Diego Mesa College.
After transferring to Columbia University, he earned a bachelor’s degree in pure mathematics and astrophysics. He went on to earn his master’s degree in systems engineering from the University of Houston.
Newsmaker of the Year:
Coach Dominique Williams, Bridgeton
Bridgeton High School
Before NJ.com named Dominique Williams its High School coach of the year, the community of Bridgeton already knew Williams was someone special. Williams turned Bridgeton around from two straight winless seasons to a 6-4 record and a spot in the NJSIAA Group 5 playoffs.
Williams graduated from Bridgeton and made the NFL coming from a small college. It taught him how to overcome sometimes impossible odds and he sought to instill those lessons into his players, many of whom had never played football before.
A former assistant coach at Rowan University, Williams said he couldn’t pass up trying to make an impact where he grew up and played. A motivational speaker, Williams said he wants to create a place at Bridgeton where students want to play and not leave the district to become stars at other high schools.
He said he believes Bridgeton is just scratching the surface of what they can accomplish in the future.
“His journey has only begun and his instant impact on the Bridgeton football program has been recognized by many influential people putting Bridgeton back on the map in a positive and bright light,” Bridgeton Public School Athletics said on Facebook.
“He will do great things for our program and positively impact so many lives with the young men under his leadership at BHS.”
Newsmaker of the Year:
Chris Wilson, Vineland
Founder, Sound Mind Sound Body
Chris Wilson, a well-known local community and youth advocate, has never been shy about getting himself involved but on July 26, that took on an entirely new meaning when he came across a deadly vehicle accident on the Black Horse Pike near Atlantic City.
The two-vehicle accident had already killed two people, and several people were trapped in a burning vehicle with flames about to engulf it. Wilson and other Good Samaritans stopped their vehicles and risked their own lives to rescue three victims, and one already deceased from one vehicle just before it was consumed.
READ: Chris Wilson – A Hero’s Story
“I don’t feel like I’m a hero,” Wilson told Front Runner New Jersey later. “It’s kind of a little overwhelming to hear that, to be honest with you. I just reacted. I don’t even know why. I just reacted. I was not thinking I was going to be faced with that situation that day. It feels very, very humbling and I’m not necessarily deserving of it, because I was just, you know, doing what my instinct told me to do.”
For Charlene Jones, the mother of one of the teens Wilson saved that day, the founder of the youth nonprofit Sound Mind, Sound Body, was simply an angel.
“We are a very loving family and they made all the difference in the world,” Jones said. “God sent them to that spot that day. He was a true, live hero. He can’t even talk that down. For my family, he’s a hero.”
His latest recognition came earlier this month from the Egg Harbor Township Committee on Dec. 11. EHT elected officials lauded his quick actions and heroic efforts along with Amir Davis and Immane Bussie, that even landed him in the hospital briefly.
SPECIAL MENTION
*Angela Brown, executive director, Loving Our Cities/The Perfecting Church, Sewell: Brown won the Women of Achievement Award from the Gloucester County Commissioners and GC Commission for Women for her outstanding community service over the past year.
*El Pueblo Unido of Atlantic City: For the nonprofit’s continued efforts to protect and support the vulnerable local immigrant community.
*Fourth Fridays, Millville: A salute to the organizers of this summer event that has grown into one of the most anticipated and positive happenings in Millville. It now also encompasses the city’s first and only Juneteenth celebration.
*The Hispanic Association of Atlantic County: For its continued leadership and service on behalf of Latinos in Atlantic County, including its scholarship program and two of the best attended events recognizing Latinos—the Nuestro Pueblo Awards and Atlantic City Latino Festival.
*Felicia Hopson, Burlington County Commissioner: For winning a new term in office in November after facing strong competition as she continues to solidify her leadership reins in the county.
*Brian Jackson, Vice President of Community Engagement, Stockton University: One of the university’s best-known leaders as chief operations officer of the Stockton Atlantic City campus quietly added his new duties of vice president of community engagement this summer.
*Lawnside Historical Society, Lawnside: For its continued efforts to protect the Peter Mott House and share the history of South Jersey’s role in the Underground Railroad.
*Manna From Heaven: Created by Bridgeton School Board member Angelia Edwards and her mother, the organization feeds the needy regularly without much fanfare. They hold two of the best attended fundraisers each year, one recognizing Father’s Day and the other in conjunction with the Greater Vineland NAACP.
*Movimiento Tricolor, Camden: The organization made up of young people have grown their Dominican Restoration Day in Camden, to one of the top “must attend” cultural festivals in South Jersey, attracting more than 300 last summer.
*Parents Invincible, Camden: Led by Executive Director Alesha Falcon-Jones, Parents Invincible continues to be at the forefront of representing parents and putting on programs for families across the city.
*Aaron “Sporty” Randolph, President, City of Atlantic City Council President: For his leadership and holding the city council together during a difficult 2024 that saw indictments in the mayor’s office, the removal of a council member and the contentious Atlantic Shores windmill project.
*San Juan Bautista Parade organizers, Camden: From colorful floats to bands and dancers showcasing Latin rhythms, the 2024 San Juan Bautista parade in Camden was one of South Jersey’s most recognized parades highlighting Puerto Rican culture.
*Richard T. Smith, President, New Jersey State Conference NAACP: For speaking out forcefully about the NJ Attorney General’s report on alleged discriminatory practice by NJ State Police this year.
*South Jersey Information Equity Project: Put on by the Center for Cooperative Media at Montclair State University, the SJIEP trains young people to go out into the community and cover stories of interest in the minority communities in South Jersey. Earlier this year graduated one of its largest classes of young fellow reporters.
*South Jersey Journal, publisher Al Thomas: For its continued service to the Black community in South Jersey and now the only print publication in some areas. While other print publications shrink, South Jersey Communication has expanded its print operations to include the Bridgeton Journal as well.
*Vineland Puerto Rican Festival: The annual week-long celebration of Puerto Rican culture is one of the oldest in New Jersey and from its festivities at Landis Park, parade, music and food, it manages to top itself every July.
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