Esther Paul is a graduate of Rutgers University- Newark where she earned her B.A in Journalism. She's been published by The Positive Community Magazine, The Observer, and the Newance Magazine. She was born and raised in Guyana but currently resides in New Jersey. She loves reading, going to brunch, and photography. She is also pursuing her MBA in Management at Seton Hall University.

Emma Uk is a local journalist and has written for local news outlets such as TAPinto Flemington-Raritan, TAPinto TheBReeze and The Link News. Emma is an avid movie lover and researcher, born and raised in New Jersey. She graduated from Columbia University with a B.A in English.

Juhayna Alkurdi is an 18-year-old high school senior. She became passionate about community work after joining a few community organizations at the start of high school and is especially passionate about climate justice and Palestinian liberation. She currently works with the NJ chapter of American Muslims for Palestine. In her free time she likes to read, bake, and watch movies.

Mandy Coriston is a New Jersey native writer, consultant, volunteer, and activist, who tirelessly supports food freedom, veterans’ causes, and environmental advocacy. She is a founding board member of the New Jersey Home Bakers Association, the founding coordinator of Delivering Gratitude at American Legion Post 278, and an award-winning Rutgers Certified Volunteer Master Gardener team leader. In addition to articles and op-eds published across northern New Jersey, Mandy is a prolific non-fiction and educational ghostwriter.

Currently a student at McNair Academic High School, Zoe Van Gelder fulfills her passions for understanding psychology, sociology, and politics through journalism and political activism. She has written for NJ.com and spoken at multiple rallies and demonstrations for women’s rights. When not immersed in these activities, she enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.

A graduate of Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism, Cassandra has contributed to local news publications including The New York Beacon, Norwood News, and the Metuchen Mirror, and to television outlets such as PBS and Democracy NOW!

Brian began his career as a freelancer for the Washington Post, then staffing with the News Journal in Wilmington, DE followed up with the Associated Press in Trenton, NJ. Brian is a National Headliner award winning photographer. He focuses on portraiture, reportage and editorial photography and specializes in Black and white Photography.

He earned a B.S in Environmental Geology and a minor in Fine Arts from Howard University. Brian enjoys cycling and is a member the Major Taylor Cycling Club of New Jersey, American Society of Media Photographers and The National Association of Black Journalists: Visual Task Force and VTF Parliamentarian.

Renee Johnston is an educator, union member, a registered member of the Green Party of NJ, and the media committee chair of the Global Pan-African Movement, North America. She actively volunteers with several mutual aid and political organizations but focuses on organizing educational opportunities to engage with people on the issues most impacting the material conditions of communities.

Josie Gonsalves has built a career spanning over 28 years in the NGO sector serving in various executive capacities. She brings decades of experience and expertise in building 501c3 entities. Additionally, she has published editorials on a variety of topics. Ms. Gonsalves was born in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and remains involved in the NGO sector serving as the lead on the Resiliency Initiative with rural women agricultural producers.

Dana Damiani is a Technology Manager for Rutgers- Newark whose work focuses on the intersection of technology and the arts. She has been working in the field of Academic Technology integration since 1997, and prior, worked in the field of non-profit management. Dana is also a craft jeweler/metalsmith exhibiting work in juried craft shows, online, and in galleries.

Wayne Winborne is Executive Director of the Institute of Jazz Studies (IJS) at Rutgers University-Newark and assistant professor in Arts, Culture, and Media. He has numerous publications and is editor of a three-book series: Intergroup Relations in the United States: Research Perspectives; Programs & Organizations; and Seven Promising Practices. Mr. Winborne holds degrees from Stanford and New York University.

Sharon Stroye currently serves as the Director of Public Engagement in the School of Public Affairs and Administration at Rutgers University – Newark, where she also serves as the Director of the Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation Center. Sharon is a strategic and transformative Leader who has produced community-engaged environments in diverse industries, sectors, and organizations.

Suzana Martinez is a book editor, master interpreter, certified by the American Translators Association, and approved by the State of New Jersey . Ms. Martinez was an Adjunct Professor of Interpretation for more than ten years at Brookdale Community College in New Jersey. She maintains residences in New Jersey, Dominican Republic, and Brazil.

Dr. Kobi is a Probabilist and Statistician with over 20 years of publishing theoretical and methodological statistics in academic and business settings. He is the Senior Vice President for Research & Analysis at Warner Music Group and an Adjunct Professor of Statistics at Seton Hall University.He is the father to twelve-year-old Xenia, and they love kayaking when he's not teaching her to drive.

Joylyn Lampkin has 20+ years working across the public and private sectors in both Guyana & St Vincent & the Grenadines, where she currently resides.Ms Lampkin holds a B.Soc.Sc. Degree in Economics from the University of Guyana and a Postgraduate Diploma in Industrial Economics and an MA in International Economics from the University of Sussex in the United Kingdom. She runs an organic farm with her husband in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Jomo Sanga Thomas is a lawyer, journalist, and former Speaker of the House of Assembly of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. He received his B.A. from Brooklyn College, M.A. from Howard University, J.D. from Rutgers University and LEC from the Hugh Wooding law school. Mr. Thomas publishes a regular column on regional Caribbean politics, In Plain Sight. He is a massive fan of that gentleman sport, Cricket!

Valerie Winborne has had an extensive career: dancer, choreographer, repetiteur, actor, dance movement therapist, educator and presenter. She toured extensively with the internationally renowned Urban Bush Women under Jawole Willa Jo Zollar. Ms. Winborne is an artist-in-residence at Norfolk State University. She teaches Creative Dance in the Portsmouth Public School System. She is also known as Mum to two teen girls.

Linda McDonald Carter is a retired associate professor of government and former director of the Paralegal Studies Program at Essex County College. She is a well-sought after speaker on the political history of the U.S.A. Ms. Carter received a B.A. from Bloomfield College and a J.D. from Rutgers University. She also has a cool husband named Aaron.

Ande Richards is a multimedia journalist committed to using storytelling as a transformative medium. She recently moved from Los Angeles to New Jersey so she could work at NJ.com, where she is the Managing Producer, Diversity of Voices. She thinks democracy is malleable - it's what you make it.

Kim Gerstman has almost 30 years of experience in development as an innovative strategist with a successful track record creating and managing diverse fundraising programs. She started consulting in 2015 and is part of the consulting team of Interim Solutions. Kim serves on the Social Justice Committee of East End Temple, the Northeast Advisory Board of IGNITE National, and spends any free moment that she can at the theater.

Atim Annette Oton is a Nigerian-born, American and British educated designer turned Curator. She is the director and Curator of Calabar Gallery in New York. She is the African Art Curator for AMREF Health Africa ART BALL and Bronx: Africa. She spent her formative years in Calabar, Nigeria, studied architecture at the City College of New York and did graduate studies at the Architectural Association Graduate School in London, England.

John L Smith is a combat wounded Vietnam Veteran, retired Newark Police Detective, community volunteer to many Newark and New Jersey Advocacy Organizations. He is currently a Criminal Justice Educator at Essex County College, and Executive Vice President of the Adjunct Faculty Association. Smith is a graduate of Bloomfield College, with undergraduate degrees in Sociology and Criminal Justice, and a graduate of Seton Hall University, with a Masters in Education.