Guest Column
By JESSICA RAMIREZ
August 5, 2025
They Didn't See Me at First—And They Still Don't See Many of UsI came to the U.S. from Puerto Rico when I was eight. I didn't speak English. I was labeled, overlooked, and underestimated from the moment I stepped into a classroom. It didn’t take long to learn that visibility is a privilege, and in ...
In 2022, the city’s nonprofit arts and culture sector generated $46 million in total economic activity, supported over 530 jobs, provided $28.2 million in personal income, and contributed $7.1 million in local and state tax revenue. The data is clear: when we invest in culture, we invest in the ...
On Wednesday, Governor Phil Murphy put his signature on the “Bill Ricci Eligibility Extension.” Thanks to this new law, even more New Jersey first responders, including members of the NJFMBA, will be granted the opportunity to receive accidental disability retirement allowance for participation in ...
Gas-fired power plants. Warehouses. Office complexes. Industrial developments. What do these projects have in common? They don’t just shape our environment; they shape our health, our neighborhoods, and our futures. And yet, too often, communities don’t know they’re happening until it’s too late.
In our fast-paced, interconnected world, it's easy to overlook the silent giant that keeps America moving: maritime transportation. Here in the New York and New Jersey region, home to the East Coast’s busiest port, we see firsthand the unmatched scale and complexity of the infrastructure that ...
In 2020, following the tragic death of George Floyd and subsequent nationwide protests, a group of minority coaches came together through Zoom meetings to address concerns of discrimination in New Jersey sports. We discussed challenges such as biased officiating, limited job opportunities in ...
America is a kaleidoscope of incredible cities and states, each with its unique flavor and identity. The beauty and dry heat of Arizona, along with the magnificent Grand Canyon; beignets and coffee on a humid morning in New Orleans; the breathtaking Big Sky landscape of Montana; the hearty dairy ...
Governor Phil Murphy’s proposed budget and its inadequate funding for Jersey City schools are unacceptable. Our students, educators, and families deserve better. That is why I stand in full agreement with Assemblywoman Barbara McCann Stamato and Assemblywoman Jessica Ramirez in opposing any budget ...
It’s pretty ironic when you think about it - The United States of America, land of the free, home of the brave, is lagging far behind in one major way: a female President. The recent election in 2024, which marked the second time in 8 years that a major-party female candidate – Kamala Harris – fell ...
As we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Day across the nation, we recognize his legacy and recommit ourselves to continue building inclusive and united communities. For those in our county, state and nation facing dark and troubled times, I turn to Dr. Luther King Jr.’s enduring words during ...
Previously, as a career police officer, and now, serving on the Jersey City Municipal Council, I am concerned as to the perceived rise in criminal activity, particularly for non-homicide-related crimes.My neighbors in Jersey City have expressed growing concerns about rising crime, including ...
New Jersey, long hailed as the “Medicine Chest of the World,” boasts a thriving life sciences community and is a beacon of global medical innovation. It's a source of pride that the treatments and cures saving lives worldwide are being discovered here in our state.But often overlooked is that the ...
History judges a nation by how it cares for its dead. The Historic Speer Cemetery, located at 145 Vroom Street, was established as a burial ground in 1850, and serves as the final resting place of early citizens of Jersey City and Veterans killed in action at Gettysburg during the American Civil ...