These three Black officials are making history in South Jersey

Within the last week, three New Jersey Democrats took office with the distinction of being the first Black person to hold their respective seats.

Nicole Roberts is the first Black woman to serve as mayor of Pennsauken. Quinton Law is the first Black mayor of Moorestown. And newly elected U.S. Rep. Herb Conaway, a former assemblyman from Burlington County, took over Sen. Andy Kim’s former seat to become the first Black person to represent the 3rd congressional district, which includes much of the county.

All three emphasize deep roots in their communities.

“I know this community like the back of my hand,” Law said. “People here know me.”

Law is a third generation resident of Moorestown. Roberts and her husband graduated Pennsauken High School together in 1981. And Conaway, who grew up in Bordentown, has served Burlington County for 26 years.

As their new jobs start, the trio reflected on their achievements and their “firsts.”

After spending 26 years in the state legislature, Conaway, 61, defeated Republican Rajesh Mohan in November and was sworn into the House on Jan. 3 as Burlington County’s first Black representative.

An internist and a lawyer, Conaway was the director of the Burlington County Health Department during the pandemic, and has practiced medicine for 30 years, both in the military and in the South Jersey area. A Princeton graduate, he’s served in the Air Force as a captain at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in Burlington County. Conaway has also been in private practice in Willingboro, as well as at hospitals in the area.

“My adult life is one of service, and coming to Congress is a way to continue that service on national and international issues,” Conaway said. In the New Jersey legislature, Conaway said he’ll be known for his work on school funding, health insurance, and anti-tobacco issues.

Conaway also holds a distinction as the first Black physician to serve in Congress with voting privileges. Two prior Black doctors served in Congress as non-voting delegates, both from the U.S. Virgin Islands — Melvin Evans (in the House from 1979 to 1981) and Donna Marie Christian-Christensen (1997 to 2015). Delegates from U.S. territories serve on congressional committees, but are precluded from voting on legislation.

Conaway added that, as significant as it is, being the first, “is a sobering reality that speaks to the less positive aspects of our nation.”

Assuming the role of first Black person in a position of importance can be “bittersweet,” said Timothy Welbeck, professor of African American studies at Temple University, where he’s director of the Center for Anti-Racism.

Referencing the milestones achieved by Conaway, Roberts, and Law, Welbeck continued, “It’s a tremendous achievement for them to be able to represent divergent voices in their districts. But there’s also a lament that it should not have taken as long as it did for a Black person to ascend to these offices.”

Roberts, 61, was introduced to the idea of serving the public through her parents, who were original members of the Homestead Youth Association in Pennsauken. In its initial incarnation, the group raised money to fund youth skating, bowling, and camping activities for families unable to afford them.

“I watched it grow, and I watched how hard the group worked for people,” Roberts said. “Seeing how people can help gets in your blood. It still exists, and I’m still connected to it.”

After marrying young, Roberts lived in Portugal with her husband who was serving in the Air Force, then returned to the United States. She began what would become a 25-year career in the Pennsauken public schools system — first as a secretary, then as an administrative assistant to the superintendent.

Channeling her parents’ call to service, Roberts was elected to the township committee four years ago. Last year, the committee elected her to a one-year term as mayor. She assumed the office on Tuesday.

Reaction has been overwhelming.

“I didn’t realize how much it means to the Black community,” Roberts said. “It’s heartwarming how much support I’m getting.”

Roberts, who has four children and 10 grandchildren, said her granddaughters are quite impressed with her these days, she added with a laugh.

“They’re seeing that Black women can reach any height they aim for,” Roberts said.

She pointed out that former Mayor Jessica Rafeh will serve as Roberts’ deputy mayor.

“Jess and I together are a dynamic team,” Roberts said. “In 2022, she was the first person of Hispanic and Middle Eastern descent to serve as mayor in the history of the township. We are two strong women.

What those things are, Roberts hopes, will include improving “outdoor spaces where families can thrive,” including a set of pickleball courts, as well as a park with playground equipment for disabled children.

Roberts said that she hopes she can be as effective a leader as Pennsauken’s first Black mayor, Rick “Ricardo” Taylor, who served in the office for nine non-consecutive, one-year terms between 1995 and 2015. Taylor died in 2020.

“He was a giant, a wonderful man who was well-loved,” Roberts said. “He’s someone I look up to absolutely.”

Roberts said Taylor left an impression on constituents that she hopes to emulate. She said that a Maya Angelou quote reflects her thinking: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget when you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

Under her leadership, Roberts said, “I want people to feel heard, protected, and cared for.”

Quinton Law’s grandmother bought a house in Moorestown 50 years ago. Law’s father grew up in that house, as did Law.

“This town gave three generations of my family the opportunity to grow and thrive, and I see it as a privilege to give back,” said Law, 27, who was sworn in on Monday. “This moment is not just about me, but about the progress this whole town has made.

“I’ll work to make sure Moorestown is an inclusive place.”

After high school, Law attended Bryant University on an athletic scholarship, where he played Division 1 football as a defensive back. He also found time to study economics.

Law went on work in workforce development in Camden, and he spent time working on the Camden Loop, a public transit rideshare. He followed that up by becoming a member of New Jersey Democratic Sen. Cory Booker’s staff for two years.

Currently, he’s government relations director of the American Cancer Society in Trenton, a role he’ll continue to hold as mayor. Moorestown mayor, Law likes to say, is officially a part-time job that requires full-time attention. Law said he has the bandwidth to “work both gigs.”

Primary mayoral issues, Law said, include making sure the town complies with state rules on developing affordable housing. He also plans to prioritize bicycle and pedestrian safety. And there’s a 100-year-old water main in town that needs attention.

“I will show up in the community,” Law promised. “And I will listen to folks.”

As for his milestone as first Black mayor, Law said that he’s been surprised by how wide and enthusiastic the reaction has been from Black South Jersey residents.

“They’ve reached out to say how much it means to have someone who looks like me in this position,” Law said.