‘A Night Like No Other:’ FRNJ Celebrates Young Black, Latino Leaders at 30 Under 40 5-Year Gala
Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell joins a group picture of 30 Under 40 honorees at the 30 Under 40 Gala at Adelphia's in Deptford on July 20, 2026. Photo by Raymond Simmons
BY JUSTIN ROIG | For AC JosepH Media
DEPTFORD — Leadership, service and recognition rung out as the evening’s theme of Front Runner New Jersey’s 30 Under 40 Top Black and Latino Leaders of South Jersey’s 5-Year Gala at Adelphia’s on Thursday, July 30.
It marked the first time since the inception of FRNJ’s online honors column that the news organization brought all of its past honorees together in recognition of its fifth anniversary, symbolizing the theme “A Night Like No Other.”
Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell traveled from North Jersey to deliver the keynote speech and then take a impromptu photo with more than 140 of the past winners who attended the event, which included elected officials, business executives, nonprofit leaders and everyone in between.
Every year since 2021, FRNJ selects 30 young leaders in the Black and Latino communities in South Jersey to recognize their achievements and advocacy in the region. Members of the classes of 2021 to 26 gathered alongside other dignitaries, partners, and community members to celebrate the classes’ achievements.
Kenneth Burns, who covers New Jersey for WHYY Public Broadcasting and immediate past president of the New Jersey Society of Professional Journalists, was the evening’s master of ceremonies.
Caldwell, who was introduced by Camden City Councilwoman Nohemi Soria-Perez, thanked FRNJ for highlighting the importance of recognizing young leaders of color, and subsequently thanked the attendees.
“Tonight is about celebrating service,” Caldwell told the audience. ” Tonight is about celebrating hope. Each of you has already demonstrated that leadership is not defined by age; leadership is defined by purpose. Leadership is defined by character.”
Caldwell said that leadership is defined by your willingness to improve the lives of others.
“There’s a Chinese saying that said, ‘The taller the bamboo, the more beds,'” Caldwell said. “And so, as leaders, we are servant leaders, and that’s why you are being honored here. But I encourage you, not just you, but to pass that on to others in your community.
“Let them know what true leadership is about. True leadership is about service. So I ask each of you to really carry on this opportunity that God has given you, a choice to really make a difference in the world.”
Following Caldwell’s speech, a memorial was held for Milan Whetsone, Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions at Rowan University. Whetstone served on multiple university committees, was a champion for DEI and equity-based initiatives, and led recruitment for ASCEND EOF/RISE program. Whetsone passed in April of 2026, leaving behind a legacy of advocacy for students at Rowan University.
Tasia Fleshman, Whetsone’s sister, spoke to her sister’s contribution to the wider community.
“She transformed adversity into hope, pain into purpose, and obstacles into opportunities to inspire. Today, as we recognize Milan’s contributions to the community, her work reminds us that true leadership is found in service,” Fleshmans said as she addressed the crowd.
The memorial was followed by speeches from some of the honorees. Ashley Estevez-Perez of the class of 2021 is the co-founder and deputy executive director of Movimiento Tricolor based in Camden. The daughter of Dominican immigrants, Ashley has worked both in local politics and at the national level with roles in the Biden-Harris administration regarding issues such as labor, immigration, and education.
“And as a proud Camden girl and first-generation immigrant, I know firsthand the power of community,” Estevez-Perez said. “I know the impact that businesses, visionaries, leaders, and nonprofit organizations can have around the places and the people around you.”
“Change doesn’t just happen in Washington. Change happens here. It happens in rooms like this. It happens in South Jersey, and it happens when people like yourself.”
Fatima Heyward of the Class of 2022 spoke about how Front Runner filled a void in the South Jersey media scene.
“I have really felt that Front Runner New Jersey has been a part of my journey, and it’s been quite the journey,” Heyward said. “I started getting heavily involved in the community when I graduated from Rider University, and post that. I went and became the president of the South Jersey Democratic Black Caucus.
“Along the way, guess who made sure we covered that because it was the first time we had something like that in this region in particular, and that was Front Runner New Jersey. When I became the first Black woman president of the New Jersey Young Democrats, my friend, Front Runner New Jersey, was there.”
Samantha Whitfield, the mayor of Willingboro and Class of 2023 recipient. Spoke to how FRNJ contributed to coverage of her community.
“Clyde first covered our historic race in 2020. Myself and my colleagues, Dr. Tiffani Worthy, who is my deputy mayor, and Councilwoman Kaya McIntosh, we historically won our election in 2020, unseating three incumbents as three young Black women in the community,” Whitfield said..
“Now we knew that we were doing something special, but it wasn’t easy for the media to see that, and Clyde was one of the first people that covered our race and really gave us some traction on a larger stage.”
Following the speeches, ceremonial pins were presented to the honorees alongside their awards
Veronica Rojas, a class of 2021 honoree, gave a memorial speech to her father, Wilfredo Rojas. Rojas was an organizer and throught his life and an integral part of FRNJ as a columnist.
“For those who did not know Wilfredo the best way to describe him would be as a trailblazer,” Rojas said. “Through perseverance, he spent his life advocating on behalf of others, inspirited by a lifelong passion for justice.
“Whether it be for himself or for the benefit of a community as a whole. From his days as a Young Lords to up until his retirement from the Philadelphia prison system, and even in the years that followed due to the unfortunate murder of his oldest son, Alejandro Rojas Garcia. Wilfredo never let himself be silenced because he knew the power of word, action, and innovation. And even though he may not be here physically tonight, his legacy, his love, it lives on.”
At the event’s closure, Editor Clyde Hughes gave closing remarks. Hughes spoke to the importance of support for independent media outlets like FRNJ in the light of attacks on funding, grants, and the history of marginalized communities.
“Some people out there don’t want your story told, but we are going to do what we do best,” Hughes said. “We’re going to fight. We’re going to continue to push. We are going to continue to tell your stories. We are going to continue to fight for our right to make sure that your voices are heard, and that your stories are told.”
Click here to find the complete list of past 30 Under 40 honorees. South Jersey Gas was a Gold Sponsor of the event with Franklin Bank and Raven’s Reserve as Silver Sponsors. Partner Sponsors included AisleGo.com, Millville Savings, Dr. Jon Regis and Samaritan.
Hughes thanked the Front Runner New Jersey.com team for helping make the event possible, including partner Meredith Winner, Daniel Winner, Alexandra Tikka, Ryan Garner, Dave Garner and Autumn Daughtry, along with Kadaysha Little and Monique Howard.
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