
Khalil Gibran Muhammad is the inaugural Professor of African American Studies and Public Affairs at Princeton University, where he directs the Institutional Antiracism and Accountability Project. He is Board Chair of the Vera Institute of Justice, and a WGBH contributor to Boston Public Radio. He is the former Ford Foundation Professor of History, Race and Public Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School and the former Director of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, a division of the New York Public Library and the world’s leading library and archive of global Black history. He is the award-winning author of The Condemnation of Blackness: Race, Crime, and the Making of Modern Urban America and a contributor to The 1619 Project. He co-hosted the Pushkin Industries podcast Some of My Best Friends Are.
Ras J. Baraka, nativo de Newark, poeta y educador, es el alcalde transformador de la ciudad más grande de New Jersey. Bajo su liderazgo, la delincuencia en Newark alcanzó su nivel más bajo en 60 años, se reemplazaron 23 000 líneas de servicio de plomo sin costo para los residentes y se redujo la falta de vivienda en un 57 %. Newark, que supo enfrentar un déficit de $90 millones, ahora prospera con un crecimiento económico sin precedentes. Baraka es miembro de Alpha Phi Alpha y defensor de toda la vida de la equidad y las oportunidades. Ahora que se postula para gobernador de New Jersey, su visión se centra en abordar los desafíos sistémicos de asequibilidad, vivienda, educación y transporte mientras fomenta la inclusión y la prosperidad para todos
Jon Bramnick es un abogado experimentado, profesor y un servidor público dedicado. Mientras ejercía funciones en la Asamblea Estatal, Bramnick fue elegido por sus colegas para cumplir cinco mandatos como líder republicano, convirtiéndolo en el miembro de más alto rango del Caucus Republicano en la Asamblea. Ha desempeñado funciones en el Senado Estatal representando al vigesimoprimer distrito legislativo desde 2022 y ha luchado por reducir el costo de vida, hacer que nuestras comunidades sean más seguras y terminar con la construcción de miles de unidades de vivienda ordenadas por los tribunales en comunidades de todo el estado. Como gobernador, Bramnick pondrá fin al dominio de un solo partido en Trenton, lo que ha llevado a un flujo interminable de mandatos, aumentos de impuestos y políticas extremas, restaurando el equilibrio en New Jersey.
Steven Michael Fulop es el 49.º alcalde de Jersey City. Desde que asumió el cargo en 2013, los residentes han visto siete años consecutivos de impuestos estables, más de 300 nuevos agentes de policía contratados, 1500 unidades de vivienda asequible construidas, más opciones de recreación, casi $10 millones invertidos en parques y espacios abiertos, y aproximadamente 800 pequeñas empresas abiertas que han creado cerca de 10 000 nuevos empleos.
Bajo su liderazgo, Jersey City se convirtió en la primera ciudad del estado en asegurar una licencia por enfermedad remunerada. El alcalde Fulop ha guiado a la ciudad hacia un desarrollo económico sin precedentes que ha beneficiado a familias de todos los niveles de ingresos. Es estadounidense de primera generación, neoyorquino de toda la vida, marine y triatleta.
Graduada de la Academia Naval de los EE. UU., piloto de helicóptero de la Marina, exfiscal federal, esposa y madre de cuatro hijos, Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ Dist. 11) representa con orgullo a New Jersey en el Congreso y se postula para gobernadora para hacer la vida más fácil y asequible para las familias del estado. Su carrera está definida por el servicio a su país y a New Jersey. Sherrill está trabajando arduamente para reducir los costos para las familias, ya sea en precios de alimentos, cuidado infantil o el límite a SALT impuesto por Trump que castigó a las familias de New Jersey. Ayudó a asegurar la parte justa de los fondos federales para New Jersey en el proyecto del túnel Gateway, que creará empleos sindicales bien remunerados y reducirá los tiempos de viaje para las familias. Está luchando por la libertad reproductiva, defendiendo los derechos al aborto y el acceso a la anticoncepción y la fecundación in vitro.
Sean Spiller no es el típico candidato a gobernador. Es maestro de ciencias de escuela pública, inmigrante, un hombre negro, el orgulloso líder de la Asociación de Educación de New Jersey y un padre muy orgulloso de dos niños pequeños. Se postula para gobernador para enfrentarse a los intereses de los ricos y a los privilegiados atrincherados, y para dar una voz real a los trabajadores de todo el estado.
Steve Sweeney es un luchador con un historial comprobado de lograr resultados para los trabajadores. Como presidente del Senado de New Jersey, Sweeney sirvió como una voz para los trabajadores contra los intereses arraigados en Trenton, al aprobar la legislación arduamente disputada para aumentar el salario mínimo, promulgar licencias familiares pagadas y proporcionar más fondos para las fuerzas del orden. También patrocinó la legislación para establecer la igualdad matrimonial y proporcionar igualdad salarial para las mujeres. Ahora, se postula para gobernador con un enfoque en la calidad de vida que busca hacer que New Jersey sea más asequible al prometer que no habrá nuevos impuestos y reducir los costos de vivienda, más autosuficiente al invertir en un enfoque energético integral y enfrentarse a la administración Trump. Sweeney se postula para gobernador porque sabe que vale la pena luchar por el estado.
Stephen Zielinski, Sr is not a politician — he’s a systems thinker, urban farming pioneer, and bold reformer with a battle-tested vision for New Jersey’s future. As a lifelong New Jerseyan and advocate for environmental and economic justice, Zielinski is running for Governor to disrupt the status quo and build a healthier, more equitable Garden State — from the soil up.
A relentless advocate for regenerative agriculture and a sustainable economy, Zielinski’s plan includes transforming New Jersey’s 50 food deserts into hubs of community-powered urban farming, revitalizing local economies, and creating pathways to small business ownership. His platform champions single-payer healthcare, accessible education rooted in cultural understanding, and a Public Bank of New Jersey to finance green infrastructure and break Wall Street’s grip on public dollars.
Zielinski is the only candidate who connects the climate crisis, rising healthcare costs, and systemic inequality with a visionary plan that empowers everyday people, not entrenched interests. He’s fighting for peace, social and economic justice — not with soundbites, but with a blueprint for real change. Inspired by The Art of War, Zielinski believes that while war must be avoided through wisdom, New Jersey’s working families are already in a battle for survival — and it’s time to fight with strategy, solidarity, and leadership.
From revitalizing brownfields to championing renewable energy manufacturing in-state, Zielinski is ready to lead New Jersey with integrity, innovation, and purpose. This isn’t about left or right — it’s about forward.
Amos Machanic, Jr. (Miami, FL) is currently a Teaching Artist with Ailey Arts In Education & Community Programs. Mr. Machanic studied dance at the New World School of the Arts and continued his training at The Ailey School where he was a fellowship recipient. Mr. Machanic was a member of Ailey II and joined the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 1996. During his years with the company, Mr. Machanic had the pleasure of traveling across the globe. In 2010, he performed at the White House tribute to Judith Jamison and now enjoys being a freelance artist and teacher.
Cheryl Rowley-Gaskins (Miami, FL) is currently a Teaching Artist for Ailey Arts In Education & Community programs. Cheryl began her dance training over 20 years ago. She trained at New World School of the Arts and The Ailey School. Mrs. Rowley-Gaskins was a member of Ailey II for three seasons and The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater for five seasons. She has studied various dance forms, which include Horton, Graham, Limon, Dunham, West African, Afro-Caribbean, Tap, and Hip Hop. Mrs. Rowley-Gaskins was also previously a teaching artist for AileyCamp Miami. She enjoys inspiring kids and teaching freedom of expression and individuality through dance movement.
Freddie Moore, nativo de Jersey City, New Jersey, comenzó su carrera profesional como bailarín, maestro y coreógrafo en The Ailey School. Tras graduarse, se convirtió en un artista destacado de Ailey II, Donald Byrd/The Group, Forces of Nature, Gallman's Newark Dance Theater y Blue Mercury Dancing Company. Durante su carrera de 36 años, Moore ha acumulado créditos en música, programas de televisión nacionales, videos musicales y documentales. Un reconocido maestro de la técnica Horton moderna, Moore ha desarrollado planes de estudio de Artes Escénicas para escuelas y programas comunitarios y trabaja con iglesias de todo el mundo para desarrollar ministerios de danza litúrgica. Actualmente es el director de ensayos de Ailey Student Performance Group (ASPG), asesor del programa de certificados de Ailey y miembro del cuerpo docente de The Ailey School, Restoration Youth Arts Academy, Hudson Repertory Dance Theater, así como fundador y director artístico de Footprints Dance Company.
Ronnie D Carney began training with Alfred Gallman, while studying theater at Arts High School. In 1995, he graduated from the University of the Arts with a BFA in Jazz Dance Performance. During a short performance career, cut short by injury, he performed with Ballet South Project and Douglas Dunn and Dancers. Afterwards, Ronnie turned his focus to Dance Education. He began with a teaching position at Newark’s Arts High School, where he has remained for 28 years. He has also taught for The Joffrey Ballet School, ABT’s Summer Arts Institute, The Mill Ballet School, New Jersey Performing Arts Center, and currently serves as Co-Director of AileyCamp Newark. As a choreographer, his work has been shown at many festivals in NJ and on The Roxey Ballet.
In 2023, he was honored by the City of Newark’s Mayor, City Council, and Newark Arts Festival for his continued contributions and dedication to Arts Education in the Newark community. He returned to the stage as an actor performing in several interAct productions including 1984 (O’Brian), And Then There Were None (Dr. Armstrong), and The Normal Heart (Hiram Keebler) with The Players Guild of Leonia.
Caylia Wallace received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from Montclair State University and her Master of Arts in Public Media with a concentration in Strategic Communication from Fordham University. Caylia Wallace has performed works by Jessie Dimauro, Kim Whittam, Kathleen Kelley, Christian von Howard, Lori Katterhenry, Earl Mosley and Camille A. Brown. She’s performed with various New York City project based companies and had the privilege to dance and assistant choreograph for WNBA Team, Connecticut Sun. Wallace was commissioned by the Arts Council of England to produce an international exchange show with performing artists from both High Wycombe, UK and New Jersey. Caylia Wallace is a growing international creative director, choreographer, performer, health and wellness enthusiast and a full time High School dance educator and High School Competition Dance Team Coach.
Brother Jerome Hunter is a master dancer, national & internationally known choreographer and drummer who has merged several dance disciplines such as traditional Africa dance, Brazil, Caribbean, as well as North America, to create a unique fusion that is synonymous with LaRocque Bey, and has been performing these dance styles for over 40 years.
Mr. Derrick is the dance instructor at Elysian Charter School, a founding faculty member at MST Dance Academy, and the dance representative on the Hoboken Arts Council. Beloved in his Hoboken community, he is a self-taught street dance artist who runs countless summer dance and creativity programs for the children of Hudson County, and he is delighted to share his flow and good vibes at Ailey Day!
Maxwell Louis Green-Waterman is a dynamic dance educator, choreographer, and advocate whose work bridges the legacy of modern dance with the innovation of today’s dance landscape. Trained at The Ailey School and Joffrey Ballet School, Maxwell is an inaugural inductee into the Ailey Teacher Certification Program, carrying forward the Horton technique with passion and purpose. With a Master’s in Dance Education from Hunter College, Maxwell has taught at prestigious institutions including The Martha Graham School, SUNY Purchase, and Brooklyn Ballet. Rooted in the power of dance as a tool for cultural expression and social change, Maxwell brings his vibrant teaching style to Ailey Day, celebrating the joy, history, and future of dance.
Anthony Solo Harris is a part of the legendary ENVY dance group established in 2003 in Newark, NJ, which helped cultivate the Jersey Club dance style. Harris and his father co-founded Dance Mogul Magazine in 2010, and he is also the co-founder of Dance Warz, a competitive platform that houses raw dance performances and battles. A professional teacher for more than a decade, Harris created @soloexpressionpa, a dance studio that specializes in the intellectual and developmental disabilities community.
Radhika Jones is the editor in chief of Vanity Fair. Since her appointment in December of 2017, the magazine has been widely recognized for its fresh direction, beginning with her first, groundbreaking cover subject, Lena Waithe, and has grown its audience significantly across digital and social platforms. More recently, VF has extended its reach in Hollywood to include a film and television studio and has expanded its events business to include a presence at major film and art festivals worldwide, in addition to the flagship Vanity Fair Oscar Party. Jones hosts Vanity Fair’s politics podcast, Inside the Hive, and over the course of her career has interviewed luminaries ranging from Barbra Streisand to Shonda Rhimes to Malala.
Jones’s first job in journalism was at The Moscow Times, an English-language newspaper in Russia, in the mid-’90s. Prior to joining Vanity Fair, Jones held senior editorial roles at The New York Times, Time (where she steered the annual Time 100 and Person of the Year issues), and The Paris Review. She has also served as an editor at Artforum and Bookforum, and managing editor at Grand Street. Jones graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. from Harvard, and holds a Ph.D. in English and comparative literature from Columbia University. She is a member of the boards of CARE, The Paris Review, and the American Society of Magazine Editors. She lives with her husband and son in Brooklyn.
Nalini Jones is the author of a novel, The Unbroken Coast (Knopf, August 2025), and a story collection, What You Call Winter. The novel was supported by a National Endowment of the Arts Literature Fellowship, and her short fiction has been awarded O. Henry and Pushcart prizes. Her work has appeared in publications such as One Story, Ploughshares, Guernica, Elle India, and The New York Times, and she has contributed to anthologies about HIV in India, siblings, and music.
She currently teaches creative writing at Fairfield University; past appointments have been Columbia University, Williams College, Yale University, and the Arcadia University Center in Greece A longtime coordinator of live music events, she was associate producer of the Newport Folk Festival from 2004-2009, line producer of From the Big Apple to the Big Easy, Madison Square Garden 2005, and artistic coordinator of Route 57, A Festival of American Roots Music at Carnegie Hall in 2006, among many others. She continues to work at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Saratoga Jazz Festival.
Kerri B. Levine, directora, The Fidelco Group.
Rhonda McFarlane Richard, Esq, attorney and philanthropist.