Building a Stronger Democratic Party Through Conversation, Leadership and Service

This year’s return of the New Jersey Democratic State Party Conference was a meaningful one.

I have had the privilege of attending this conference before, but there was something particularly special about seeing it return in person. After years in which so much of our political engagement has happened virtually or from a distance, being back in a room with Democrats from across New Jersey was a powerful reminder that our party is at its best when we come together — not simply to celebrate what we have accomplished, but to have the conversations necessary to determine where we go next.

Under the leadership of Chairman LeRoy Jones, the return of the conference created an important opportunity for Democrats to reconnect, learn from one another, exchange ideas and, most importantly, listen.

I was grateful to see so many familiar faces and longtime colleagues, while also meeting and reconnecting with a new generation of leaders who are bringing fresh energy and perspective to our party.

One of the most encouraging parts of the convention was seeing the number of young professionals and emerging leaders who are stepping forward to serve.

I had the opportunity to participate in conversations with incredible young leaders who are not waiting for permission to make their voices heard. They are running for office, organizing their communities, working in government, building movements and finding new ways to engage their peers in our democracy. Their presence was a reminder that the future of the Democratic Party is not something that will simply happen someday. It is being built right now.

I was also honored to participate in conversations surrounding media, journalism and youth engagement. A healthy democracy depends on people having access to reliable information and having the ability to understand how government decisions affect their everyday lives. Local journalism plays an especially important role in that ecosystem because it connects people to the institutions and leaders closest to them, accurate and honest information that provides them with details to make decisions. This means helping people understand how a school board decision, county budget, transportation project, housing policy or state law can directly affect their lives. It means meeting people where they are and creating pathways for them to participate in the Democratic Party and process.

That work is especially important for Democrats because our party must remain committed to listening to the communities we seek to represent, including those who may not always feel connected to our political institutions.

Perhaps the conversation that meant the most to me was one that I helped organize: “Black Men at the Ballot Box.” As Vice Chair of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee’s Black Caucus, I believe we have a responsibility to create spaces where people can speak honestly, even when the conversation is uncomfortable.

The purpose of this panel was not to lecture Black men about voting or to assume that we already understood why some feel disconnected from the Democratic Party. It was to listen. We wanted to create a space where Black men from different backgrounds and different regions in the state can talk about what the Democratic Party should to do connect better with Black male voters. The panel sparked conversations that delved deeper into systemic racism, classism, and more. It was incredible to work through those topics all the while looking to create real solution.

The conference turned out to be an amazing time to connect with people from up and down the state ahead of the November General election. Congr