About Jane
Faith, service, and commitment to community
Jane's strong faith and personal history inform her steadfast commitment to strengthening her entire community as well as underserved communities locally and globally. Jane's experiences have shaped her: She spent her youth in Liberia and Kenya before emigrating to the United States at 17 years old. Jane knows firsthand the challenges of trying to build a happy and healthy life for oneself and one's family.
Jane and her husband Russell have been in SOMA for eighteen years and have made Maplewood their home for the last four. Together they have five children and have fostered another 20.
Jane also runs Ambarella Beauty, a line of natural skin and hair care products she makes based on her Liberian ancestors' traditional formulations, which also helps her stay connected to her past.
Quick Facts About Jane
Feed2000 Charity
Jane's charity, Feed2000, was born from a deep desire to help others, starting right here in Newark, Maplewood, South Orange and extending to her family's village of origin in Grand Bassa, Liberia. Her efforts have helped people on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, providing food, children's toys, and other items. While visiting her family's village in Liberia to check on the reconstruction of the church founded by her minister grandfather, Jane saw the pressing needs of the community. Moved to take action, she spearheaded the construction of a school and provided students of all ages with essential school supplies, uniforms, and everyday clothing—many of which were generously donated by local Maplewood families and Maplewood Milk Money, the kids' consignment shop.
Community Leadership
New Jersey Black Empowerment Coalition
As Chair and co-founder of the New Jersey Black Empowerment Coalition (njbec.org), her organization hosted several presidential debate watch events, as well as multiple virtual voter advocacy events including "Understanding Project 2025 and its Potential Impact on Black Communities," "Intersection of Policy & The Pulpit" with the Rev. Dr. Dana Owens, and "Impact of 2025 Budget on Black New Jerseyans." In the past, Jane appeared in the "Protect & Serve" series to commemorate Women's History Month. Currently, Jane is leading NJBEC to work with the Governor's office on the "Vote16" voter registration drive and the Technical Parole Violation bill.
Local Charitable Work
Closer to home, Jane regularly supports charitable organizations within our community. Jane annually purchases and collects food donations at Thanksgiving for distribution to local shelters, including Turning Point and Isaiah House, and for ten years has received food donations from South Mountain Elementary School's kindergarten class Team W. In addition to this, Jane has led other initiatives, including giving gift cards to the South Orange Summer Camp counselors, supplying breakfast foods and snacks to Columbia High School students, making sandwiches at Morrow Church after Hurricane Sandy, and donating toys and gifts to the children in the pediatric oncology ward of St. Barnabas Hospital.
Political Leadership
As a member of the Maplewood Democratic Committee, Jane serves as a District Leader in her home district, District 9 — the area south of Springfield Avenue between Laurel Avenue and Rutgers Street. In that capacity, she worked in 2024 to support Democratic candidates who deliver for their constituents, including by participating in several fundraisers and a Get Out The Vote drive, canvassing locally and in Pennsylvania, and serving as the District 9 Election Challenger for the Essex County Democratic Party. Jane also sits on the Steering Committee of the "We The People" democratic coalition (wethepeoplenj.org) and the Governance Committee of EQUIP NJ (equipnj.org).
Priorities
Jane's life is defined by service. We are living in a moment when our democracy is under threat, and now is the time for action. Jane's family and community have all benefited from Jane's tireless efforts and her unwillingness to settle for the status quo. Jane feels called to serve Maplewood at this moment. That is why she has decided to seek election to the Maplewood Township Committee.
Make Maplewood affordable
Jane is committed to keeping Maplewood affordable so that families and seniors who have built their lives here can remain in place, and so that adequate affordable housing can be made available to families who want to make Maplewood their new home.
Make Maplewood safe
Members of our community are being threatened. The immigrant community and the LGBTQ+ community face discrimination; our seniors face threats to their healthcare and benefits; our schools are under attack. Jane is dedicated to making sure Maplewood is welcoming and safe for all of those who make our Township the vibrant and diverse place that it is.
Make Maplewood strong
These next four years will likely be difficult, and we need to make sure our community is strong and ready for what's next. Jane strives to make things better for all and has a track record of success. Jane welcomes the opportunity to serve and benefit the friends, neighbors, and newcomers who, like her, love to call Maplewood home.