In an editorial, Jersey City resident Erica Walker, an aide to Ward F Councilman Frank “Educational” Gilmore, gives her take on why Michael Griffin deserves to be elected to city council at-large seat tomorrow.
I want to tell you a story. Not a political one — a real one.
A few years back, before anyone in City Hall knew my name, I was at Carvao’s on Bergen Ave — yes, the old Carvao’s (RIP to a true Jersey City gem).
I had just finished filming one of Frank Gilmore’s first campaign fundraisers. At the time, I was an independent documentarian covering urban development during an election cycle, which I didn’t even fully realize was political work at the time.
The event wrapped, someone grabbed the mic and yelled, “Y’all stick around for karaoke!”
Say less — anyone who knows me knows karaoke is my ministry.
And that’s where I met Michael Griffin — not in a meeting room, not at a rally, not in some high-level political moment … but at a vibey Thursday night karaoke session surrounded by one of Jersey City’s most eclectic, most beautiful crowds. Carvao’s had everything — R&B, country, pop, rock, neo-soul, and a whole lot of personality.
It was Jersey City in one room.
Between karaoke performances, Mike started telling me stories. Stories about the real Jersey City — the one he grew up in, the one I missed while I was away in college down south and then living in Atlanta for 10 years.
He talked about walking with Mayor Glenn Cunningham, the campaigns his mother made him participate in as a kid, the lessons he learned on the block and in the movement.
I told him about covering protests in Georgia and the community work I had been doing down there.
Week after week, Thursday nights at Carvao’s turned into unofficial “pow wows.” Over drinks and cover songs, we talked community empowerment, local politics, the past, the future, and where all of this was headed.
By the fall, Mike said:
“If Chris Gadsden wins at-large, I want you to apply to be an aide. The city could use you.”
That was the first person in Jersey City politics who ever told me that.
That I had something to offer.
That I belonged in the work of community uplift.
Chris didn’t win that year. None of the independent candidates I rooted for did — except one. Frank “Educational” Gilmore, who won by a landslide and shocked the political establishment. (Y’all remember those numbers.)
Luckily, Mike, Chris, and Frank all advocate for the community together. They’re like brothers. So even though the results didn’t land the way we hoped, the door Mike opened for me stayed open.
And the rest? That’s history.
I’m serving today because Michael Griffin believed in me.
And that’s the type of leader I want sitting in an at-karge seat.
Because it’s not just me.
Mike sees people.
He lifts people.
He grows people into leaders — not because it benefits him, but because he believes in community capacity the way some people believe in religion.
He carries the spirit of Cunningham. He carries the lessons of the old Jersey City. And he has never — not once — lost his connection to the people who built him.
Let me be very clear: Michael Griffin does the work. He always has.
He helped create the No-Knock Ordinance — protecting elders and families from predatory solicitors and scammers.
He pushes for fair development, safe streets, community violence interruption, youth opportunity, and transparent local government. He actually listens. He actually shows up.
And he’s been doing this long before anyone was watching, long before cameras were rolling, long before he ever put his own name on a ballot.
This is not just a political endorsement. This is personal.
Mike shaped my path. He sees the bigger picture and is strategic beyond his years. He knows how to support and build community.
Mike also knows how to govern and how to fight — with purpose, not ego. (He also knows how to build affordable housing! Shout out to Fairmount!) And he’s spent decades doing what some candidates attempt to learn in a few months.
Jersey City deserves that level of experience and integrity. We deserve someone who has lived the work, not memorized the talking points.
On December 2nd, I’m proudly voting for Michael Griffin (7B).
And I’m asking you — as someone who loves this city — to vote for him too.
Not for politics. For purpose.
For people. For progress.
Peace & Power,
Erica Walker
