ON TUESDAY APRIL 21 VOTE FOR

 

THE MOST QUALIFIED CANDIDATES READY TO MOVE NEWARK SCHOOLS FORWARD

Hasani Council
Mark Comesanas
Quamid Childs
Jordy Nivar

Four seats on the Newark Public Schools Board of Education are up for election on Tuesday, April 21. To vote, go to your polling place on Election Day.

We need your vote to move Newark schools forward!

Hasani Council

Hasani K. Council was born and raised in the South Ward of the City of Newark, where he attended George Washington Carver Elementary School and later graduated from University High School. From a young age, Hasani was devoted to public service and became an early advocate for public education, fighting for the rights and well-being of Newark residents. He played and coached Pop Warner football and Little League baseball in the South Ward and continues to serve as a mentor and role model in his community.

As a student at University High School, Hasani was an active civil servant, passionately advocating for social justice and equality for his peers and students across the district. His deep commitment to fairness and equity has driven his lifelong advocacy work.

Upon graduating from University High School, Hasani began his studies at Montclair State University, where he quickly became a student leader and dedicated himself to improving campus life. On his first day, he became actively involved in student organizations and focused on positive change for the student body. 

He was elected Vice President of his Hall Council and later served as Executive Vice President of the Residence Hall Association. Hasani also served as a legislator in the Student Government Association and participated on three committees, chairing one of them.

Hasani was elected to serve on the Montclair State University Board of Trustees, where he spent two years as a Student Trustee collaborating closely with the university president. He was inducted into the National Society of Leadership and Success and the Red Hawk Pride Society. Hasani earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Master of Arts in Law and Governance from Montclair State University.

He currently serves as Chief of Staff to South Ward Council Member Patrick Council and is the Democratic District Leader for the 36th District of the South Ward. Hasani previously worked as a Legislative Aide for former South Ward Council Member John Sharpe James, as a counselor with the United Community Corporation, and held several internships with both the City of Newark and the Passaic County Democratic Committee.

Hasani is also deeply involved in fraternal and community life. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, where he served as chapter president for his undergraduate chapter and served on the fraternity’s Regional Political and Civic Engagement Committee. He is a Deacon at St. John Baptist Church and remains actively engaged in church ministries.

Committed to advancing educational opportunity, Hasani believes every student deserves excellent teachers and that great educators deserve the support to transform young lives. In continued service to this belief, he is the current President of the Newark Board of Education, where he works to expand educational freedom, equity, and excellence for all students.

  • Born and raised in South Ward
  • Chief of Staff, South Ward Councilman Patrick Council
  • President, Newark Board of Education
  • Certified Master Board Member
  • Master Board Member Certification
  • Certified Board Leader Certification
  • South Ward Democratic Committee member
  • Board of Directors Member, Council of the Great City Schools
  • Chair of Education and Community Outreach, Urban League of Essex County Young Professionals
  • Board Member, Jackie Robinson Little League Baseball and Pop Warner Football
  • Member, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
  • Deacon, St. John Baptist Church
  • Attended George Washington Carver Elementary School and High School
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, Montclair State University
  • Master’s Degree in Law and Governance, Montclair State University
Mark Comesanas

Mark Comesañas is a lifelong Newark educator and community leader with more than 20 years of experience serving students and families. A former teacher, principal, and founding charter school leader, Mark now serves as Executive Director of My Brother’s Keeper Newark, where he leads collaboration across more than 30 community organizations to expand opportunity for young people.

His leadership helped Newark earn national recognition by President Obama as a Model Community, and he has secured over $2 million to support local youth initiatives. Mark holds a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Montclair State University, a bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University, and is currently pursuing his doctorate at the University of Pennsylvania.

He is fluent in Spanish and committed to building systems that help every child thrive.

    • Lifelong resident of Newark
    • Executive Director, My Brother’s Keeper Newark
    • Teacher, supervisor, principal in Newark for more than 20 years
    • Founding Board Member & former Head of School, LEAD Charter School
    • Ed.D., University of Pennsylvania (Anticipated 2026)
    • M.A., Educational Leadership – Montclair State University
    • B.A., History – Rutgers University
    • Fluent in Spanish
    • Aspen Institute Pahara Fellow
    • NJ DOE Literacy Working Group
Quamid Childs

Quamid Childs is a dedicated public servant, community advocate and North Ward leader committed to transparency, accountability and neighborhood engagement. He currently serves in the Essex County Register’s Office, where he manages purchasing operations and assists residents with vital real estate and public records services. A longtime Democratic Committee member in Newark’s North Ward, Quamid works directly with residents to support voter engagement efforts and represent neighborhood concerns. With a decade of experience as a fraud analyst at AT&T, he led major fraud prevention initiatives and partnered with law enforcement to protect consumers. Quamid is also a faith-based community leader and mentor, supporting youth development and outreach programs throughout Essex County.

    • Lifelong Newark resident
    • Purchaser, Essex County Register’s Office
    • North Ward Democratic Committee member
    • Community advocate and grassroots organizer
    • 10 years experience in fraud prevention & consumer protection
    • Led fraud detection initiatives and law enforcement partnerships
    • Faith-based leader and youth mentor in Essex County
    • Associate degree in Business Management
    • Trained in project management & business leadership
Jordy Nivar

Jordy Nivar is a lifelong Newark resident, community leader and West Ward Democratic Committee member who is committed to strengthening neighborhoods and expanding opportunity. With 17 years at Berger Organization, Jody rose from security officer to director of Community Relations, building partnerships, creating job opportunities for residents and serving as a bridge between leadership and the community. Jordy advocates for families, supports youth development and works to ensure residents have a strong voice in local government. He leads with integrity, accountability and a deep commitment to Newark’s future.

    • Lifelong Newark resident
    • Director of Community Relations for the Berger Organization
    • Created job opportunities for local residents
    • Advocate for youth & neighborhood development
    • Experienced operations & team leader
    • Serves on the West Ward Democratic Committee
    • Union-trained with Carpenters Local 1342

To stay involved as our elected leaders determine the direction of our schools, join today:

 

 

 

 

 

 

PAID FOR BY GREAT SCHOOLS FOR ALL PAC, ONE GATEWAY CENTER, NEWARK, NJ. This expenditure was not made with the cooperation or prior consent of, or in consultation with, or at the request or suggestion of, any candidate, or person or committee acting on behalf of the candidate.