‘Newark’s Native Sons’: Livestream Event To Discuss Post-MLK Progress

NEWARK, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of the A’Dorian Murray-Thomas Civic Association. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.

The A’Dorian Murray-Thomas Civic Association, established in August 2024, will host their inaugural event, “Newark’s Native Sons: A Candid Conversation with Mayor Ras J. Baraka and Shavar Jeffries", a 90-minute livestream conversation to discuss accomplishments and progress in Newark in light of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life on Thursday, January 9, 2025, at 6 p.m. moderated by the organization’s Founder and Principal Officer, A’Dorian Murray-Thomas.

This conversation will be live-streamed as two dynamic leaders discuss Newark’s opportunities, challenges, and progress in light of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life on Thursday, January 9, 2025, at 6 p.m. Once rival mayoral candidates, Ras J. Baraka, and Shavar Jeffries led one of the most contentious, high-stakes races in this era, which resulted in an extremely high voter turnout for the 2014 election. After nearly 10 years since the election, the two leaders will sit down for their first-ever public conversation, one looking back and looking ahead to the future of the great City of Newark. Topics will range from honoring the legacy of Dr. King, the latest election results, and equally important, what important lessons they have learned since their race.

The mission of the A’Dorian Murray-Thomas Civic Association is to empower individuals with the knowledge and tools needed to become active and informed citizens. They strive to uplift communities by fostering a culture of participation, inclusivity, and mutual support. Through education, the organization aims to inspire and equip people with the skills and understanding necessary to drive positive social change.

“These two amazing men, both having lived and been raised in the city’s South Ward, less than two miles from each other, are two of the fiercest activists to come out of Newark, and I dare say, the state of New Jersey, in my lifetime”, A’Dorian Murray-Thomas said. “I have had the privilege of knowing them both as trusted mentors and friends and felt confident a conversation between them would be an inspiring, lively, and insightful conversation between the two former political rivals and longtime Newark educators, activists, and advocates. They will share past and current challenges and solutions, both personal and professional, as well as their visions for moving Newark forward, particularly in the area of education and literacy. This will be the first in a series of conversations happening in 2025.”

The Honorable Mayor of Newark, Ras Baraka, is a writer, poet, activist, change agent, former high school teacher, coach, and principal.

For more than twenty years, Mr. Jeffries has advocated for social justice and educational equity. In January 2023, he joined the KIPP Foundation as CEO, a culmination of his many years as a champion for KIPP schools.

The conversation will be live streamed on A’Dorian Murray-Thomas's Facebook, Instagram @adorianfornewark, YouTube @ADorianMurray-Thomas, and TikTok @adorian4newark pages, as well as the City of Newark’s Facebook and YouTube channels.

The event’s host and moderator is A’Dorian Murray-Thomas, the Founder and CEO of the A’Dorian Murray-Thomas Civic Association. Ms. Murray-Thomas, made history by becoming the youngest woman elected to the Essex County Board of Commissioners, New Jersey Democratic Women’s Caucus Chair, and is the Founder & CEO of SHE Wins Inc., a leadership and mentoring organization for girls and homicide survivors who, like her, lost a loved one to gun violence. Born and raised in Newark, Ms. Murray-Thomas at age 23, won a historic election becoming the youngest woman ever elected to the Newark Board of Education, representing the largest school district in the State of New Jersey.

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