DC State Board of Education-Ward 8

Markus Batchelor is a native Washingtonian and youth advocate, focused on equity and ensuring we close the opportunity gap. He was sworn in on January 2, 2017 as the youngest-ever elected member of the State Board of Education, where he represents the residents of Ward 8. Previously, he served as an Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner, representing District 8C04, which includes parts of Congress Heights and Washington Highlands neighborhoods of Washington, where he focused on rebuilding a fragmented community network, improving city services, and collaborative efforts to solve tough issues.
Markus also served as a Ward 8 liaison in the Mayor’s Office of Community Relations and Services (MOCRS) and now serves as a Program Associate at the Far Southeast Family Strengthening Collaborative, a community-based non-profit in Ward 8 focused on child abuse and neglect and creating stabled households.

Senior Pastor

Black Lives Matter Chapter Leader -Atlantic City

Rev. William M. Williams, III is a husband to Joyce and father to Julia, William, IV, and James. He is an Ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church, and is currently under appointment at the Asbury United Methodist Church of Atlantic City. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Swarthmore College, a Post-Baccalaureate Certification in Pre-Medicine from Drexel College of Medicine, and a Masters of Divinity degree from Drew University School of Theology.

He is a contributing author for the college-level business textbook: Open for Business: An Introduction into the Real Word, a core leader in the New Jersey State chapter of Black Lives Matter – New Jersey: Atlantic City, and an organizer and contributor to the Black Lives AC: Beyond the Slogan, Conversations of Race, Privilege, and Power. Rev. Williams is a frequent guest lecturer throughout local colleges and universities, a Communities of Hope Trainer, trained in Coach Approach Skill Training, a branch of the International Coaching Federation, an executive board member of the Northeastern Jurisdiction of Black Methodists for Church Renewal, Inc., an executive board member of the Greater New Jersey Conference’s Board of Pension and Health, a board member of the African-American Museum of Southern New Jersey, a former commissioner of the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority’s Tourism Advisory Commission and Chair of the Education and Workforce Development Subcommittee, and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Vice President, Rising Sons

BillyPenn UpNext under 40

Founder, Rising Communities Enterprises

Mubarak Lawrence holds the title of Vice President for Rising Sons; a non-profit organization based in Philadelphia, PA. Their purpose is to target underprivileged youth (primarily males) to open their eyes to what they can offer to their community, to their country, and the world -- as well as what the world can offer them. Mubarak also coordinates Rising Sons’ events and programs such as “Reason for the Season”; which is an uplifting holiday celebration for families living in Shelters. We bring entertainment and gifts for the children and their families. He also has been the program Director for the Rising Sons’ after school program at Hope Partnership for Education since 2013.

Mubarak Lawrence launched his own Limited Liability Corporation by the name of Rising Community Enterprises LLC in the summer of 2013. RC Enterprises is a firm that focused on providing low-income communities with economic and community development services. Mubarak strives to administer business consultation, community investments and youth enrichment programs to build self-sustaining communities. In the short time since the firm’s inauguration, Rising Community Enterprises has business transactions and investment totaling two-hundred thousand dollars in the Philadelphia area.

Mr. Lawrence currently sits on the board for Radnor A Better Chance and a 2016 Echoing Green Black Male Achievement Fellow.
Mr. Mubarak Lawrence plans to become a figure in the community that exemplifies the following: grit, resilience, and ambition. He believes these character traits are pivotal to sustainable change in struggling communities around the world.

Sociologist

BLM-AC chapter core leader

Dr. Christina Jackson is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at Stockton University who participates in community engagement work in both Atlantic City and Philadelphia. She is also a core team member of the Black Lives Matter Atlantic City chapter working with local community residents and faith leaders. Dr. Jackson teaches classes and conducts research on inequality, urban places, gender, social movements and the politics of redevelopment and gentrification. She is an avid supporter of integrating service learning into her teaching pedagogy. Her classes complete service learning projects with the New Jersey Organizing Project and Asbury United Methodist Church in South Jersey.

She is a board member of a girls’ leadership camp and year long program called Camp Sojourner based in West Philadelphia. She has co-authored articles in books such as Black California Dreamin’: The Crises of California’s African American Communities, The Ghetto: Contemporary Global Issues and Controversies and journals such as Sociology Compass. Jackson also reviews articles and books for sociology journals.

www.christinarjackson.com

Executive Assistant Director of the Department of Health and Human Services, City of Elizabeth

Stanley Neron is an experienced inspirational speaker, human and social service advocate, and spiritual steward. His commitment and service to others manifest in many aspects of his life. Stan holds a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration and collateral in Africana studies and is determined to assure that students of color are able to achieve and complete their educational and career goals.
Stan managed and grew the Office on Youth Services for over ten years before becoming the Executive Assistant Director of the Department of Health and Human Services for the City of Elizabeth. There he provides invaluable coaching and supervision to employees that are charged with providing quality services to some of the City’s most vulnerable residents which include seniors and children. His ability to manage successfully is a result of his entertainment career prior to public service. During that time, he worked as a writer, producer, filmmaker, and talent agent. He established deep rooted relationships with representatives from HBO, VIACOM, and Universal was even nominated for an NAACP Image Award. After the Haiti earthquake in January 2010, Stan co-founded New Jersey for Haiti, a coalition established to help provide relief and address long-term needs in Haiti. On November 7, 2016, Stan was elected to serve a second term as commissioner on Elizabeth Board of Education, and on January 5, 2017 members of the Elizabeth Board of Education elected Stan as President.