A True Maverick Retires

Senator Ronald Rice Retires Leaving 35-Year Legacy

New Jersey’s longest serving state senator, Ron Rice, ended a stellar 35-year career in state and city government upon his retirement on August 31, 2022. Rice was honored at a ceremony led by US Congress Rep. Donald Payne Jr., renaming Sanford Place in the Vailsburg section of Newark “State Senator Ronald L. Rice Way” on September 10.

The Newark native’s entire life reflected his dedication to service. Former US Marine Sergeant (1966-70) and Vietnam War veteran Rice joined the Newark Police Department (NPD) and rose to the rank of detective (1972-80). He retired from NPD and entered politics, first serving on the Newark City Council (1982-98), then as deputy mayor (2002-06). He was elected to the State Senate in 1986 and worked simultaneously in Newark Municipal government until 2006.

Many of Rice’s contemporaries in the Senate and other elected officials commented on his retirement and years of service to New Jersey and to Newark. “Ron Rice will leave the [NJ] Senate as one of its most transformational members, a true maverick whose legacy of legislative successes will stand clearly on its own,” said NJ Governor Phil Murphy. The Governor continued “…his resignation leaves a huge void in the legislature that will be hard to fill. I will always be proud to have called him my partner, but even prouder to call him my friend.”

Essex County Executive, Joseph D. Vincenzo announced an initiative to name the athletic complex under construction in Essex County Vailsburg Park as the “Ronald L. Rice Athletic Complex.”

SHE Wins! Aspiring Law Student Scholarship Award 2024

Earlier this month, SHE Wins Inc.  Founder and CEO A’Dorian Murray-Thomas announced the winner of the  SHE Wins – Sherman...

BERKELEY COLLEGE CELEBRATES ‘REMARKABLE RESILIENCE AND PERSEVERANCE’

Photo Caption: Berkeley College celebrates the perseverance and achievements of more than 1,000 graduates during a Commencement ceremony on Thursday, May...

BERKELEY COLLEGE NEWARK NETWORKING BREAKFAST

HIGHLIGHTS NEW INITIATIVES AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS Business partners, community leaders, and alumni focused on collaboration and education during Berkeley College’s second annual Newark...

Kean and Howard Universities ForgeHistoric Dual Degree Agreement

Kean University students now have a faster path to earning a doctoral degree in pharmacy under a new dual degree...

Community Education Forum w/Alfred Bundy: David Tomkins, Alexandra da Costa Santos & Renita Mangru

In this episode of Essex County College’s Community Education Forum, host Alfred Bundy speaks with guests David Tomkins (ECC Athletic...

Essex County Commissioner A’Dorian Murray-Thomas Incredibly Accomplished and Just Getting Started

Simply catching up with A’dorian Murray-Thomas feels like a grand accomplishment. The newly-elected county commissioner is also CEO of the...

How the 50-30-20 Rule Can Help You on Your Journey to Financial Success

Having a plan for your money is crucial to building a solid financial foundation. If...

BUSINESS IN BLACK

A Talk with New York City Mayor Eric Adams | By Glenn Townes Challenging the...

Rev. Dr. Valerie Oliver-Durrah & Brooke Durrah

Mother & Daughter Building a Legacy of Black Excellence in Brooklyn Known throughout Brooklyn as...

This Mom Is Fighting Hunger by Starting a Company That Reduces Food Waste

Atlanta mom Jasmine Crowe-Houston launched Goodr, a company that keeps food out of landfills while...

Aisha Glover Helps Audible Make an Impact in Cities Around the World

Aisha Glover joined Audible as VP, Urban Innovation in 2020, when Audible’s Founder Don Katz...

New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency Celebrates 40 Years of Service

On January 17, 2024, the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA) celebrates its...

City Council President LaMonica McIver wins special primary to fill late New Jersey congressman’s seat

Newark, N.J., City Council President LaMonica McIver has won the Democratic nomination for the special election to replace the late...
Read More

Philadelphia pastor elected to lead historic Black church in New York City

New York’s historic Abyssinian Baptist Church has elected its new senior pastor, likely bringing an end to a national search...
Read More

Newark Symphony Hall Presents: The Black Creative Economy Summit

2024 SUMMIT OVERVIEW Newark Symphony Hall’s flagship event is back for another year of impact. The Black Creative Economy (BCE)...
Read More

Baseball great Willie Mays dies at 93

Baseball legend Willie Mays, widely considered one of the best players in the sport’s history, has died, according to the...
Read More

WBGO is 45

Jazz lovers packed the newly renovated, beautifully appointed Terrace Ballroom at Newark Symphony Hall on April 12 for a grand...
Read More

Baptist Ministers and The Positive Community

25 Years of Positive Change! Founded in 1898, the Baptist Ministers’ Conference of Greater New York and Vicinity (BMCGNY&V) is...
Read More

Donald Payne: A Friend Indeed

There is no question that Essex County and Newark lost a great leader with the unfortunate passing of U.S. Representative...
Read More

Trust and Obey… and God will do the Rest!

“Hmmmm, hmmmm, hmmmm!” That was the chant of the massive congregation gathered at The Riverside Church for the sermon last...
Read More

Patti Labelle Headlines Inaugural Newark Symphony Hall Gala

Newark Symphony Hall (NSH) celebrated the legacy of Jazz legend and Newark icon, Sarah Vaughan, with the inaugural Sarah A. Vaughan...
Read More

Should You Focus On Exercise When You Want to Lose Weight?

Exercise may not be the best way to lose weight. A quick Google search on...

Holy Name Announces New Leadership Appointments

Holy Name, the region’s leading independent health system, appointed Cynthia Ziegler as Vice President of...

You Can Live Well

As a fitness expert, I often encourage clients to care for themselves first. It seems...

Season’s Greetings

Stay Safe and Enjoy this Wonderful Time of the Year The upcoming holiday season is...

Powerful Stories of Breast Cancer Survivors

WORLD’s Stories from the Stage: The Podcast Kicks Off New Season Stories from the Stage: The...

They are Fit to be First Responders

By Barry Carter In a spirited competition among first responders, Newark and Essex County police...