Community rallies for NJ Statewide Black Agenda | PIX 11

By: Jim Vasil

Posted: Oct 15, 2026 / 06:10 PM EDT

Updated: Oct 15, 2026 / 06:10 PM EDT

TRENTON, N.J.  (PIX11) – Passion and emotion were on display at the New Jersey State House, where on Thursday, religious and social justice leaders, including Rev. Al Sharpton, raised their voices in support of the New Jersey Statewide Black Agenda.

“We came to give a warning to New Jersey that we went to the ballot, now we want to collect on what we voted for,” said Sharpton.

Social justice leaders say the purpose of the Statewide Black Agenda is to advance equity, justice and opportunity for New Jersey’s Black communities through actions that both State leaders and members of the community can take.

“Housing, healthcare, education, and a focused strategy to destroy the racial wealth gap is in collections and we’re here today to collect what is rightfully ours,” said Rev. Dr. Charles Boyer of Salvation and Social Justice, a civil rights organization that helped develop the Statewide Black Agenda.

One lawmaker in the State House fighting for the agenda is Assemblywoman Aerlina Reynolds-Jackson.

She says there have been wins, like the signing of the John Lewis Voter Empowerment Act to expand access to the ballot, but acknowledged there’s more work to do.

“We need more childcare support,” said Reynolds-Jackson (D-NJ 15th District). “We need to increase our minimum wage. We need environmental justice and getting the led out of our pipes. We need to end school segregation. We need black mothers to not only survive child birth, but live and thrive and raise their children, we need additional funding for that too.”

In a statement to PIX11 News, Governor Mikie Sherrill’s chief spokesperson Sean Higgins said:

“Governor Sherrill is working hard to address the systemic challenges facing the Black community. Together with many of the speakers at today’s rally, the Governor has already delivered on shared priorities like signing the John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act, protecting the affordable housing trust fund, prioritizing Black maternal health initiatives, investing in freedom schools, and putting real dollars in the state budget to grow minority and women owned businesses. She will continue to fight for these priorities in partnership with Black leaders.” 

Watch the full coverage here - https://pix11.com/news/local-news/community-rallies-for-nj-statewide-black-agend/