Newark Mayor Ras Baraka will give the keynote speech at the Ali Leadership Institute’s 5th Annual Gala at The View in Jersey City on Saturday evening.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“As we reflect on seven years of growing bold, visionary leadership, and our 5th gala, we are honored to welcome Mayor Baraka, a nationally respected champion for equity and grassroots power, to share his insights and inspire our next generation of change makers,” Ali Leadership Institute Founder Mussab Ali, a mayoral candidate, said in a statement.
The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. and go until 9 p.m., with the program all set to recognize the 2025 Ali Leadership Fellows, as well as reflections from alumni making impact across the nation.
This is the second time Baraka, the runner-up in the June 10th Democratic primary for governor, will be in Jersey City in just four days.
Tonight, he is attending a joint fundraiser for Ward E Councilman James Solomon for mayor and the re-election of Ward F Councilman Frank “Educational” Gilmore.
Both Gilmore and Ali supported Baraka for governor, with Gilmore endorsing the Brick City mayor early and ensuring he won by a healthy margin in Ward F.
Baraka bested Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop by about four-and-a-half points last month, with Fulop narrowly beating him by about two points on his home turf by winning Wards C, D, and E.
The Ali Leadership Institute equips high school and college students through training in civic education, policy advocacy, and grassroots organizing, according to their website.