BY MARVIN LEE
Correspondent
LONG BRANCH — The Greater Long Branch NAACP hosted a county-wide town meeting at Salem Baptist Church May 5 to discuss issues relevant to the minority community in Monmouth County.
Lorenzo “Bill” Dangler, president of the NAACP, moderated the event, which was a forum to address issues including a perceived lack of minority representation at the state and county levels of government.
Those levels range from high-level jobs in areas including law enforcement and management to elected offices throughout New Jersey, he told those who attended the meeting.
“Our purpose here is to discuss minority issues. From this meeting, we hope to come together as minorities,” said Dangler.
Among those who participated in the well-attended panel discussion were individuals affiliated with the NAACP and members of political parties in New Jersey.
Greater Long Branch NAACP President Bob Harrison was one of the first to address the crowd.
He talked about a popular theme, which was affordable housing.
The W.E.B. Dubois Economic Development Corp., which is now affiliated with the Monmouth Housing Alliance, focuses on safe and affordable housing in Long Branch, he said.
“The project is focused on Seventh and Hendrickson avenues,” Harrison said. “Our experiences with them have been helping people, as a vehicle for home ownership.”
Other participants were Jersey City NAACP President Kabili Tayari, Political Action Committee Chairman Keith Blackston, Paterson Councilman Anthony Davis, Monmouth County Democratic Chairman Victor Scudiery, Latino Chamber of Commerce Director Louis Navarro and Assemblyman Sean Kean.
The panelists discussed their views on the status of minorities in the Garden State.
Navarro provided an example, saying that he “represents a diverse district [11th]. The Commerce wants to promote development of Latino businesses in Monmouth County. Promoting economic development is a challenge. But the way to stay strong is by working together.”
Other topics included the lack of minorities in construction jobs as well as elected offices in the county.
If anything was to be learned from the forum, Jersey City NAACP President Kabili Tayari made sure that the message was delivered.
“Diversity is power and equity. It’s about power, equity and representation and it’s about standing up against racism,” Tayari said.
Louis Jordan, who served 25 years on the police department in Asbury Park, attended the forum.
He said, “There is a strong focus on children [from the NAACP], because it’s all about them. As far as the issue of minorities not getting their fair share, he said he hopes that “political bullying” would come to an end.

