Black Leaders, Advocates to Unite in Trenton for ‘Black Agenda Rally’ on Oct. 15
Atlantic City NAACP Pres. Kaleem Shabazz
BY CLYDE HUGHES | AC JosepH Media
TRENTON — A broad coalition of New Jersey’s most influential Black leaders, including Atlantic City councilman Kaleem Shabazz and Logan Township Mayor Frank Minor, will speakr at the Statewide Black Agenda Rally at the New Jersey State House at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 15.
The Statewide Black Agenda movement has been led by Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, and supported by Salvation and Social Justice founder Rev. Charles Boyer, since the 2025 Democratic gubernatorial primary, where Baraka came in second place.
Baraka and Boyers are slated as speakers at the event.
Shabazz is vice president of the city council in Atlantic City and the longtime president of the Atlantic City NAACP. Minor also serves as chair of the South Jersey Black Political Caucus along with run as mayor of Logan Township in Gloucester County.
The event will include faith voices, labor partners, and community advocates, along with elected officials. The Black Agenda Rally, an event designed to unify statewide efforts around justice, equity, and collective progress.
The rally is organizd by Salvation and Social Justice, the National Action Network, the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey, the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice, the National Urban League, and 32BJ SEIU.
Tthe rally aims to bring together residents and leaders under the banner: “One Voice. One Vision. One Agenda.” Its organizers call on New Jersey’s Black communities — and allies — to organize, mobilize, and push forward a shared agenda focused on strengthening neighborhoods, expanding opportunity, and confronting systemic inequities.
A Powerful Lineup of Speakers
The rally will feature an extensive roster of elected officials, clergy, organizers, and civic leaders, U.S. Rep. La Monica McIver, Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson and Dr. John Harmon, president of the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey will address the rally.
Other speakers include Pastor Steffie Bartley. Pastor Pamela Jones, Lawrence Hamm, Ana María Hill of 32BJ SEIU, Daryn Martinm, Imam Umar B. Salahuddin Sr., Commissioner A’Dorian Murray-Thomas, Commissioner Samuel T. Frisby Sr., Councilwoman Teska Frisby, Rev. Dr. Frances Snelling Teabout, Vivian Cox Fraser and Crystal Orr.
Organizers note that additional speakers and partners will be announced as the event approaches.
A Call to Collective Action
Organizers said that the Black Agenda Rally is positioned as a statewide moment of unity — a chance for residents, advocates, and leaders to stand together in shaping policy priorities that reflect the needs and aspirations of Black communities across New Jersey.
From economic empowerment to voting rights, education equity, criminal justice reform, and community safety, the event seeks to elevate solutions rooted in collaboration and shared purpose.
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