Anthony Imperiale Archives - New Jersey Globe

Trailblazer: Speaker S. Howard Woodson

January 19, 2026 12:14 amJanuary 18, 2026 10:21 pm

Rev. S. Howard Woodson (1916-1999) was the first Black to serve as Speaker of the New Jersey State Assembly. He held the post in 1974 and 1975. He was the first black to serve as a Speaker in any state...

Trailblazer: Speaker S. Howard Woodson

January 20, 2025 12:10 amJanuary 19, 2025 9:01 pm

Rev. S. Howard Woodson (1916-1999) was the first Black to serve as Speaker of the New Jersey State Assembly. He held the post in 1974 and 1975. He was the first black to serve as a Speaker in any state...

Trailblazer: Mayor Kenneth Gibson

January 20, 2025 12:08 amJanuary 19, 2025 8:55 pm

Kenneth Gibson (1932-2019) became the first Black to serve as mayor of a major northeastern city when he ousted two-term incumbent Hugh Addonizio in 1970. Gibson had served as an engineer for the New Jersey Highway Department and as the...

Trailblazer: Speaker S. Howard Woodson

January 15, 2024 12:06 amJanuary 14, 2024 5:22 pm

Rev. S. Howard Woodson (1916-1999) was the first Black to serve as Speaker of the New Jersey State Assembly. He held the post in 1974 and 1975. He was the first black to serve as a Speaker in any state...

Trailblazer: Mayor Kenneth Gibson

January 15, 2024 12:04 amJanuary 14, 2024 5:56 pm

Kenneth Gibson (1932-2019) became the first Black to serve as mayor of a major northeastern city when he ousted two-term incumbent Hugh Addonizio in 1970. Gibson had served as an engineer for the New Jersey Highway Department and as the...

Trailblazer: Congressman Donald Payne Sr.

January 16, 2023 12:14 amJanuary 15, 2023 4:45 pm

Donald Payne, Sr. (1934-2012) was the first Black to represent New Jersey in the U.S. House of Representatives. He had run for Congress twice before winning the seat in 1988. In 1970, Payne became the first African American to serve...

Trailblazer: Speaker S. Howard Woodson

January 16, 2023 12:06 amJanuary 15, 2023 7:29 pm

Rev. S. Howard Woodson (1916-1999) was the first Black to serve as Speaker of the New Jersey State Assembly. He held the post in 1974 and 1975. He was the first black to serve as a Speaker in any state...